World Cup Preview 4

This is the fourth and final of the four-part special on this year's World Cup. Today, I shall talk about how I think the semi-finals and final will look like from my opinion. Hopefully, in exactly a month's time, reality would be similar to what I had guessed

Semi Final 1: England vs Brazil

A rematch of the 2002 quarter-final when David Beckham, Ronaldhino, Michael Owen and Fat Ronaldo were still in the teams. England, under the guidance of Fabio Capello, should be able rise to the occasion. Brazil, on the other hand, have been favourites in every match since fifty years ago. It will be tense, pulsating, filled with heart-stopping moments and flooded with yellow cards

The final score after normal time would be 1:1. Most likely it would be either Wayne Rooney or another striker bagging the goal for the Three Lions. Brazil have a whole lot of players who are goalscorers. No goals during extra-time. The English would be worn out by Brazil's high-tempo sambal football

Capello would make his third and final substitution during near the end of extra-time for the shoot-out. Most probably a full-back or winger who is more used to operating on his natural foot. Brazil will suddenly play all-out-attack football in the closing stages with England doing some desperate defending

On to the shoot-out, England's takers are quite predictable, namely Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Jermaine Defoe and Rooney. Brazil will surely start with a left-footer for the first kick

And England will win it 4:3 on penalties courtesy of some lady luck and inaccuracy from the Brazilians


Semi-final 2: Argentina vs Spain

Let's keep this one simple. Spain will turn Argentina inside out with all their talents and technique but only manage to score one goal eventually. Maradona will make some weird substitutions that will affect his team's performance. Don't be surprised to see Lionel Messi being taken off

Spain's goal should be a combination of a Xavi Hernandez's extraordinary through pass and a clinical finish by either Fernando Torres or David Villa. Iker Casillas, the Spanish goalkeeper, will make a spectacular world-class save in the dying minutes to break every Argentina fan's heart


Final: England vs Spain

The media will brand Spain as the hot favourites to clinch the title. Beckham and Rio Ferdinand must be cursing themselves for being injured during that period. The Spanish players will feel confident entering the game

Both teams will battle out a draw after ninety minutes with Spain gaining the upper hand for most of the time. Sergio Ramos will get into a quarrel with Rooney but neither will get sent off. David Silva will be badly injured from a hard tackle by Jamie Carragher. John Terry would be reprimanded by the referee for strong challenges on the Spanish strikers

England will shockingly score an unexpected long-range goal in extra-time thanks to the technology implemented in the Jabulaini ball. The remaining time after that goal will see England doing last-ditch tackles and trying to stop their opponents in whatever way they can never mind if it will cost them a red card

The final whistle is blown and I will be celebrating because I had won money from bets