By Chia Han Keong

AS THE World Cup enters the quarter-finals, it becomes evident that well-rounded teams will go far in this tournament.

Look at the eight remaining teams. All of them are capable of vibrant attacks; none of them are slouches in defence.

There are three teams - Argentina, Brazil and Netherlands - which hold 100 per cent winning records. Only Ghana have conceded more than two goals.

Who among these eight stellar teams would advance? Indeed, picking the final four is a very tough proposition.

But, from the quarter-finals onwards, matches are often decided by a flash of inspiration from a creative player.

So, it is likely that the teams with the best playmakers will inch ahead into the semi-finals.

URUGUAY v GHANA

Ghana will be buoyed by the support coming from the entire African continent, and that might add an extra spring into the steps of this exceptionally athletic team.

But their inexperienced defence will be their biggest headache.

Luis Suarez may be in hot form after his sensational twogoal performance against South Korea, but it is Diego Forlan who the Ghanaians must be wary of.

The Atletico Madrid forward is usually behind every potent attack, with his fluid movement and deft control.

Ghana might be able to contain Suarez, but they will find it far tougher to handle him together with a rampant Forlan.

WINNERS: URUGUAY

NETHERLANDS v BRAZIL

Undoubtedly the toughest tie to call, with both sides in fine fettle after adding steel to their traditionally imaginative attack.

Both defences are strong, and both have two gifted playmakers: Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben for the Dutch, and Kaka and Robinho for the Brazilians.

Brazil, however, hold the edge in the front line, where Luis Fabiano has found his scoring touch. Robin van Persie, on the other hand, is reportedly pouting after being substituted without scoring against Slovakia.

Fabiano's form might just swing the match in Brazil's favour.

WINNERS: BRAZIL

ARGENTINA v GERMANY

Germany will be licking their lips at three numbers: 29, 32 and 32. These are the respective ages of key Argentina defenders Nicolas Burdisso, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze.

The Germans will hope that these ageing veterans can be taken apart just like the England defence were by their swift and deadly counter-attacks.

But Argentina could strike first with their abundance of offensive stalwarts. With Lionel Messi pulling the strings and itching to finally score, the Germans could find themselves down even before they can launch a proper counter.

WINNERS: ARGENTINA

PARAGUAY v SPAIN

Will the South Americans be easy meat for a Spanish side just beginning to find the form that brought them the Euro 2008 title?

Not quite. Remember what Switzerland did to the Spaniards? They packed their defence and looked for the sucker punch - and succeeded.

Paraguay play a similarly defensive stance like the Swiss, and will set out to frustrate Spain.

Much will depend on whether Fernando Torres can spring into life to complement the red-hot David Villa, and whether Xavi Hernandez can rediscover his penetrative passing.

Chances are Spain will prevail.

WINNERS: SPAIN

hankeong@sph.com.sg

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