[PREDICTIONS] Argentina players are crediting Coach Diego Maradona with coming up with the play that produced thewinning goal against Nigeria. He’ll need to come up with a plan to stop South Korea, so impressive in its win over Greece. For a look at Thursday’s three games and Soccer America’s predictions …
ARGENTINA (3 pts., 1-0) vs. SOUTH KOREA (3 pts. 2-0)
June 17 in Johannesburg
Kickoff: 7:30 a.m. ET. Television: ESPN/Univision.
Referee: Frank De Bleeckrere (Belgium).
Past World Cup Meetings: 1986 –Argentina 3-1.
PREDICTIONS:
Paul Kennedy: Argentina 2-1
RidgeMahoney: Tie 1-1
Mike Woitalla: Argentina 3-0
THE LOWDOWN: Argentina players are crediting CoachDiego Maradona with coming up with the play that produced the lone goal in the 1-0 win over Nigeria — a corner kick to the top of the penalty area, wheredefender Gabriel Heinze scored with a powerful header. The key to beating South Korea will be stopping Manchester United starPark Ji-Sung. Right back Jonas Gutierrez looked suspect against Nigeria.
GREECE (0 pt., 0-2) vs. NIGERIA (0 pt., 0-1)
June 17 in Bloemfontein
Kickoff: 10 a.m. ET. Television: ESPN/Univision.
Previous World Cup Meetings: 1994 — Nigeria 2-0.
PREDICTIONS:
Paul Kennedy: Nigeria 1-0
Ridge Mahoney: Greece 1-0
THE LOWDOWN: Nigeria was only poor, but Greece was terrible in their opening losses. TheEagles had their chances against Argentina in the second half and will be favored. All of their four wins in four World Cups have come against European opponents.
FRANCE (1 pt., 1-1) vs. MEXICO (1 pt., 1-1)
June 17 in Polokwane
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET. Television: ESPN2/Univision.
Referee: Oscar Diaz (Colombia).
Past World Cup Meetings: 1966 — Tie 1-1, 1954 — France 3-2, 1930 — France4-1.
PREDICTIONS:
Paul Kennedy: Tie 1-1
Ridge Mahoney: Tie1-1
Mike Woitalla: Mexico 2-0
THE LOWDOWN: Look for Mexico to attack France just like it did SouthAfrica. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre plans to stick with his 4-3-3 that features Carlos Vela, Guillermo Franco and Giovani dos Santos in attack. “It’s what has brought us here and we’re not going to change,” Aguirresaid. “Yes, we do leave a lot of space at the back, but we’re going to continue this way.”