Time to start predicting which side will be the first to book the place in the quarter-finals? After all four groups of national teams have played their opening matches, we may see it happening soon.
The Czech Republic-Portugal encounter may provide us with some hints. Last eigh places...up for grabs now. Or rather, Portugal want a quick route to the quarter-finals. Both won in their opening matches. On paper, Portugal may have more well-known players (read: Cristiano Ronaldo) but, if the FIFA rankings of the 16 national teams who are taking part in the tournament are anything to go by, the Czechs are fourth.
What is for sure though in the Portugal camp, both playmaker Deco and coach Luis Felipe Scholari do admire their opponents. According to Czech Republic coach Karel Breuckner, he will make changes to the attacking line-up. For captain Tomas Ujfalusi, his side will need an "impeccable" defensive performance if they are to have any chance of beating Portugal.
It's going to get interesting in Geneva (where it's going to be played). What intrigued me is that of the Premier League connections between the two national team. Chelsea's Petr Cech is at goal for the Czech Republic and Portugal have Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. Will the winger be able to get past the keeper? There is a reason why Cech's being considered one of the best keepers around at the moment.
No predictions from me. Thank you. I don't like to jinx the team I am rooting for. It has happened before. Sigh.
