Australia tackle Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a David v Goliath World Cup showdown whereas the United States look to ambush the Netherlands as the World Cup knockout rounds get underneath method on Saturday.
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After a gaggle stage stuffed with twists and turns, the enterprise finish of the event kicks off with 16 groups dreaming of plotting a path to the final in Doha on December 18.
The USA and the Netherlands open the second spherical on the Khalifa Stadium on Saturday, with the Americans aiming to advance to the quarter-finals for the primary time since 2002.
Coach Gregg Berhalter’s USA squad booked their spot within the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Iran to safe second place in Group B behind England.
While the Dutch possess the better historic pedigree, reaching three earlier World Cup finals, the USA head into the knockout rounds brimming with confidence.
(*16*) Berhalter mentioned.
“We deserve to be in the position we’re in.”
The US face a Dutch crew who completed first in Group A forward of Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar with out actually displaying their finest kind.
The Netherlands’ veteran coach Louis van Gaal is cautious of the risk posed by the energetic Americans, describing Berhalter’s crew as probably the greatest within the event.
“They have an excellent team, I would say even one of the best teams,” mentioned Van Gaal.
“It’ll be a troublesome match however it’s nothing we will’t overcome. We even have a great crew.
“But I’m not going to downplay the USA. I think they’re an example of what a good team is.”
In Saturday’s different knockout sport, South American giants Argentina face an Australia facet who confounded all expectations by getting out of a Group D that included defending champions France, Denmark and Tunisia.
However Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni isn’t able to take something without any consideration having already seen his crew endure a shock loss to Saudi Arabia earlier within the event.
“Whether or not they are inferior to us remains to be seen. I don’t agree that they are. This is football — eleven against eleven,” Scaloni mentioned.
“Forget who is theoretically favourites and let’s play football.”
Australia coach Graham Arnold in the meantime mentioned he expects the Socceroos to lift their sport as soon as extra towards the star-studded Argentines.
“I just think that Argentina bring the best out of Australia. Our performances every time against Argentina have been very strong and very good,” Arnold mentioned.
“Playing against that type of talent, and that name I think resonates right across the world — it’s a football nation and it is inspiring to play against them.”
– Last-gasp Korea –
The group part led to dramatic vogue on Friday when South Korea reached the knockout part with an injury-time successful objective towards Portugal to arrange a gathering with mighty Brazil.
With the clock ticking down at Education City Stadium, the Koreans knew they wanted another objective towards Portugal to leapfrog group rivals Uruguay, who have been dealing with Ghana.
Tottenham ahead Son Heung-min produced an excellent help for Hwang Hee-chan to attain the objective that secured a 2-1 victory.
The Korean gamers then watched the ultimate minutes of Uruguay’s match on a cell phone as they waited for his or her place within the last 16 to be confirmed.
Uruguay, main 2-0 towards the Africans, wanted another objective to undergo however fell agonisingly brief regardless of piling on the strain, crashing out by advantage of objectives scored.
Korea’s Tottenham ahead Son mentioned he was crying “tears of happiness”.
“There were moments when I wasn’t able to do my best and I am thankful for my team-mates that they were able to cover me in the moments I wasn’t able to fulfil my duties. I’m very proud of them.”
Uruguay veteran Luis Suarez in distinction sobbed in disappointment after the South Americans have been eradicated.
Switzerland edged a bad-tempered encounter with Serbia to progress, successful 3-2 to earn a gathering with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Remo Freuler smashed a half-volley into the web for the Forty eighth-minute winner.
Tempers flared within the second half after Serbia appealed for a penalty, with the stadium announcer calling for an finish to “all discriminatory chants and gestures” round quarter-hour later.
“I can’t tell you the reason why and what happened exactly,” mentioned Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic.
“Sometimes the tensions come and some maybe bad words can create some uncomfortable behaviour, but it’s nothing special. It’s normal, let’s say, for this kind of game.”
Brazil received Group G regardless of dropping 9 gamers from their beginning lineup and dropping 1-0 to Cameroon with Vincent Aboubakar heading in a stoppage-time winner to say a memorable win that would not stop the African facet being eradicated.
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