Motty's day 19 preview
On Tuesday we have the two final games in the second round of the 2010 World Cup.
The opening clash in Pretoria sees two of the outsiders in the competition in Paraguay and Japan, while the second match sees pre-tournament favourites Spain take on Portugal, who are developing a reputation for having one of the best defences in the tournament.
Here's my day 19 preview - click on the video below to see my picks.
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South Africa 2010 will be John Motson's 10th World Cup with BBC Sport. John will be filing regular video reports from Cape Town, offering expert insight and opinion as well as recalling his own fond memories of previous tournaments. You can watch World Cup Motty on the BBC Sport website and the Red Button. John will also be using 
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Comments
Hi,
I'm skills
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havent even seen motty,s preview,i betting he goes for spain and hoping he gets it as wrong as all his other selections.
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Paraguay v Japan 3-1
Spain v Portugal 2-3
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Watch out for a possible iberian Battle Royal. hope the ref has strong stomach. it could get nasty. well let's hope so. Portugal could well reprise their kick and push (and dive and trip ) game like Nuremberg 2006. Now THAT was fun (sorry, "terrible for the game")! lol.
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Dear John,
Just finished watching the highlights of today's games. Thanks for your insight and considered comments. You are really spoiling us with Alan Hansen on the highlights show! I know it's not in your nature but I'm surprised you didn't correct Colin Murray when he said Eric Cantona was the only player in the fantasy XIs to have a film made about him. Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (2006) is a good watch if Colin hasn't seen it before.
Thank you!
Joseph Cunningham
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I want to see a new WC winner this year, and that leaves Holland and Spain for me, but it's looking more and more like one of the old timers again.
Just a final word on England, (sorry finding it difficult to move on still) I think maybe Capello should go. Playing individual players out of position has never worked and I don't understand why managers do it. I think maybe the FA would learn a lesson too. Yeah it's going to cost them 12 million but think of it as a fine. Why they found the need to sign a new contract before the tournament is anyones guess. I'm not blaming Capello alone as we've all said it's a team effort, but I don't buy that the players were tired. Many a Tennis match goes on for 4 hours and they only normally get a 1 day break between games. Right I'll shut up now and get on with my life.
A good shake up all round I feel is what's needed. I like the idea of Pearce as England manager. Maybe Alan Sugar should join the FA and when players and managers alike mess up the task in hand he can fire them!
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Portugal 2 - 1 Spain.
Spain are favourites and the pressure is on them. Portugal are strong in defence and lethal in the counter-attack. Both teams know the next round is an easy encounter with either Paraguay or Japan. It should be a fantastic match...
Go PORTUGAL
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I fancy Portugal & Japan to progress, maybe on Penalties in either case. Both Paraguay and Spain have been a bit goal shy, while Japan have looked fit, and useful from free kicks, and Portugal have yet to concede a goal. Certainly neither match is a pre-ordained win for the favourites.
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I predict two very tight, defensive games: 1-0 to Paraguay and 1-0 to Spain. Possible extra time in at least one of the games.
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Portugal vs. Spain-2-1
Paraguay vs. Japan-2-0
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Hope Paraguay progress as the SAmerican sides have been excellent so far: all attacking and playing the game as you want to see it on the park. They will be a better match up for whoever gets through the next game as I think Japan would be more comfortable for either Portugal or Spain.
Have a slight fancy for Portugal tonight. If any European side can play Spain at their own game then it has be Portugal, and the local rivalry should give the game that added edge. On paper it looks a cracker so let's hope we see it.
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WHY DOES THE BIASED BBC OR EBC AS YOU SHOULD BE KNOW NOT POST MY COMMENTS ON THE RUBBISH N WAY OVER RATED BY YOUR SO CALLED EXPERTS,ENGLAND COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUALS?YOUR WORSE THAN THE NAZIS FOR CENSORSHIP.SHAME ON U.
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In your preview, you said that Portugal has a run of 18 matches unbeaten, but looking at the opposition of those games, there wasn't anyone as good as Spain.
What about Brazil, are you considering them to be much worse then Spain?
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Spain are obviously favourites but their defense has certainly looked a bit dodgy at times. I reckon portugal might nick it in a very fiery match with a fair few yellow cards along the way. Japan look fairly useful as well but can't see them or Paraguay getting much further.
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Paraguay 1 Japan 3 (aet)
Spain 1 Portugal 1 (aet Spain on pens)
These two games are by far the hardest to call of the last 16 two very tight games but I see Japan taking it in extra time as they are super fit. No games have gone to penalties yet so hoping the Iberians provide some late night drama
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Paraguay v Japan 2-2 (Paraguay to win on pens)
Spain v Portugal 0-0 (Portugal to win on pens)...well they have to happen sometime!
Motty as you're such a good stats man - can you find out through the BBC's stats how many metres the England player's ran on average compared to other teams...being they were so tired an'all?
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I hope we have fair play !!!
FIFA, it is time for technology. Teams and fans have been devastated by these unfair and inexplicable calls and the course of the World Cup has been affected as well. There is a strong need not just for goal-line technology but for “Instant Replay”. It’s only getting worse, four years ago in Germany this issue was very bad, this time in South Africa it has been a disaster. The referees have always made these huge mistakes.
Join the support group on Facebook for FIFA to take action:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=136701196342639&ref=mf
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RE 18.
A certain sports news channel has been broadcasting these most of the day.
Of all the teams that have played their 'round of 16' matches so far - England are third in average yards per outfield player.
So they did run a lot.
There have also been some discussion about England going to altitude so early. Namely that, going to train at altitude is beneficial if it is done right.
The downside of going to altitude is that you can't train at full pace straight away and you have to build up to it - as the initial stages of trainin would require extra effort (hence the reason for training at altitude in the first place).
If you just go to altitude and train full pace, you will end up with tired players.
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Thanks for info #20 Mancun Ian.
I think statistical proof that they ran a lot shows they weren't tired or they just wouldn't have been capable of doing so or is that too simplistic?
I'm sure all the altitude effects were taken into account in Fabio's meticulous pre-tournament planning and as the players claimed boredom at the hotel they had time to take schedule training at whatever pace necessary.
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Its a sobering thought that the 8 quarter finalists are made up of 7 group winners, plus Ghana. The only group not represented in the last 8 is Group C - England's group!
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An interesting conversation at work today regarding the next England international at Wembley, will the fans boycott the game in protest?
The feeling here is very strong, I am in favour.
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