Of the 16 best teams in the world, according to FIFA rankings, only 9 made it through to the last 16 of the World Cup. Egypt, Russia and Croatia failed to qualify for the tournament proper while Serbia, Greece, France and Italy couldn't make it past the group stages. So then, the last 16 of the World Cup contains 7 nations who aren't "officially" in the best 16....yet. So who are they and what are they for?
EL TRI TODAVIA QUE CRECE
With their unique 3-4-3 formation, deploying two advanced wide strikers either side of an deep centre-forward, Mexico are an interesting side to watch and a difficult challenge for defences. With an emphasis on attack their movement and organisation means 'El Tri' games are always good spectacles. Most impressive has been Giovanni dos Santos who has been a revelation from the young man who struggled to make an impact at Barcelona and Tottenham. Experienced captain Rafael Marquez is pivotal to the team's tactical shape, operating as a defensive midfielder, centre-back and, at times, playmaker rolled into one. Finishing 2nd to Uruguay and so eliminating France and South Africa the Mexican's reward is a tie with the equally zealous Argentina, a game which promises nothing if not goals.
ASIAN BABES
Something of an unknown quantity coming into the tournament, with the majority of their squad taken from the East-Asian leagues, South Korea at 47th are the lowliest ranked side to qualify for the knock-out stages. The antithesis of Mexico, they are a athletic, defensive side who invite their opponents to attack before hitting them quickly and with numbers on the counter. They qualified with Argentina from Group B, profiting from an ambitiousness Greece and a Nigeria side in disarray. Football already knew about Park Ji-Sung,but exciting youngsters Lee Chung-Yong and Ki Sung-Yueng have done plenty to improve their fledgling reputations. The Tigers of Asia will face a sterner test this afternoon when they face in-form Diego Forlan's Uruguay.
MICHAEL WHO?
Ranked 32 and arriving at the tournament without their inspirational captain and 11th best African player of all time; Michael Essien, Ghana are by FIFA's estimations the 5th best African side at the tournament and the 4th best team in Group D. Probably the best 'footballing' African nation, Ghana can count themselves a little lucky to have made it through, both their goals so far coming from the penalty spot, and against sides reduced to 10-men. The absense of Essien has allowed German defector, débutante Kevin Prince-Boateng to shine in central midfield, while the performances of midfield destroyer Anthony Annan wont have gone unnoticed by the top European clubs. Qualifying ahead of Australia and Serbia on goal difference, the only African side left in Africa's first World Cup have a very winnable tie against the USA this evening.
SUPPLIES!
Another big surprise out of East Asia as the pragmatic Japanese qualify behind Holland in Group E. Fielding a 4-1-4-1 which becomes a 4-6-0 when not in possession, Japan aim to frustrate their opposition. Defender Tulio Tunako has been particularly outstanding while in Keisuke Honda and Daisuke Matsui they have two emerging attacking stars of the competition. Ranked 47 in the world, and 4th in their group they will play Paraguay on Tuesday afternoon for a place in the Quarter-finals.
SLOVAKATTACK
Darkhorses Slovakia, playing at their first World Cup, progress at the expense of Italy. After disappointing displays against New Zealand and Paraguay saw them facing elimination, a stunning 3-2 win against the holders saw Vladimir Weiss' young side progress 2nd in Group with centre forward Robert Vittek rightly taking the plaudits. Marek Hamsik still needs to up his game though, as the advanced playmaker in their 4-2-3-1 system he is pivotal and a repeat of the team's early performances will see them easy prey for Holland on Monday.
DREAM OF CHILEFORNICATION
Chile are the most exciting team at this World Cup. That may only be an opinion, but it is also a fact. They play with a seemingly reckless 3-3-1-3 formation, which relies heavily on the work-rate of the seven attacking players to help out their three lonely defenders. When it works it looks brilliant and, despite only beating Honduras and New Zealand 1-0, they dazzled us with their movement, passing, flair and incision. The worry was though; how will this gung-ho approach stand up when they face a bigger, better attacking side. Leaving yourself exposed at the back and getting away with it against Switzerland and Honduras is one thing, but if you drop the soap too often against the top teams you will find yourself ruthlessly penalised. A goalkeeping blunder and a soft red card contributed to a final group stage defeat to Spain but a draw between Switzerland and Hondourus saw them qualify from Group H in 2nd place. Former Colo-Colo wonderkids Mathias Fernandez and Alexis Sanchez have done plenty to improve their already excellent reputations, though the outstanding find of the tournament so far must surely be Club America winger Jean Beausejour. Brazil awaits on Monday evening.
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