This morning after the match I had to go to Monash University Caulfield Campus in Melbourne for a preset important meeting. I was greeted at the very first sight by three senior professors Saleque tell us why the fancied Brazil could get such hammering? I was speechless. No one could explain. Soccer or Football whatever we call it is becoming a game of glorious uncertainty. After last nights unbelievable fairy tale event was seriously thinking why I should run the risk of previewing a match and get embarrassed. But for banglanews24.com readers and my domestic near ones I have no option but to do it.

Another top favorite, the last of the South American challenge Argentina will be face to face tonight against the team of the tournament Netherlands. Luckily for the Argentineans Football Magician little master is very much three with his magic left foot. But with three dangerous strikers in Dutch possession it will be anybody’s game.

Readers possible read my write up,” When heart bleeds but head disagrees?” My head was always ringing alarm bell for one or both giants getting toppled over. But how could I let my heart getting seized? But now Brazil getting humbled can we dare taking another shock tonight? Well Argentina and Netherlands are two evenly matched teams. Any result will not be considered an upset. But getting two fancied team knocked out back to back will not be poetic justice.

Before going deeper into preview let us look at some statistics which however rarely tell about what happens in a new match.

•    Argentina has reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, when they went on to finish runners-up to West Germany.
•    La Albiceleste have progressed from all three of their World Cup semi-finals.
•    These teams have met four times in the World Cup, with Netherlands winning twice and Argentina once, with one draws.
•    Argentina’s victory, in the 1978 final, is their only win against Netherlands in eight meetings overall (L4 D3).
•    Argentina has lost just one of their last 16 World Cup games (W12 D3, not including penalty shoot-outs).
•    Netherlands have lost two of their 12 World Cup games against South American teams, not including penalty shoot-outs (1978 final v Argentina and 1994 quarter-final v Brazil).
•    10 of the Netherlands’ 12 goals in this tournament have come after half-time.
•    Netherlands’ last four goals in this tournament have come after the 75th minute.
•    Netherlands made 692 passes against Costa Rica, the most they’ve recorded in a single World Cup match (1966-2014).
•    Lionel Messi (29), Arjen Robben and Angel Di María (both 25) are the players with most completed dribbles in this tournament.
•    Messi has also created the most goal scoring chances in this World Cup: 19.
•    Against Costa Rica Wesley Sneijder recorded the 10th instance of a player hitting the woodwork twice in a World Cup match (1966 – 2014). He is the first Dutchman to do so.
•    Against Costa Rica, Netherlands recorded the 11th instance of a team hitting the woodwork three times in a World Cup match (1966 – 2014).
•    Argentina has won both their knockout stage games in this tournament 1-0; they have twice before won by this score line in the knock out stages of the World Cup (1986 and 1990).
•    Netherlands’ 0-0 draw against Costa Rica was their first goalless draw in World Cup knockout stages. This ended a run of 11 World Cup knockout stage matches for the Dutch without a clean sheet.
•    This is the first time Argentina have reached a World Cup semi-final in a tournament when great rivals Brazil have also done so.
•    Argentina is yet to trail for a single minute of the 2014 World Cup.
•    Argentina has scored with 11% of their shots from outside the box, the best rate at the 2014 World Cup.
•    Argentina has made 86 unsuccessful crosses, more than any other side.
•    Netherlands are the only team to concede more than one penalty at the 2014 World Cup.

What can Happen Tonight?

No one even in bad dream could even see a 7-1 mauling of Brazil by the German side. But that happened like broad day light murder. On the back drop of that match who has the confidence to predict today of a possible match outcome? Argentina with the best footballer of the world and fabulous four (Messi, Aguero, Higuain and Di Maria ) at its disposal was firm favorite in the tournament . Many including this writer dreamt of Argentina Brazil epic Final at historic Maracna. Stadium But what man poses God disposes. Brazil is already gone and if for any reason Argentina also gets knocked out Brazil and Argentina will appear in Third Fourth place play off and it will be an all European final.

Argentina has Messi intact and so far appeared in his true color in every match. A few minutes of Messi is good enough for making the difference between the better and the best. Unfortunately his ally in destruction Di Maria will be messing and there is fifty -fifty chance that Aguero may be back after nursing his injury. Argentina so far looked very much a one man team but that one man is the best in the world and many think from another world. But the worrying fact is that Argentina so far won all five matches by the barest of margin. In a tight match as it will be one or two Argentine players will have to share significant load away from Messi shoulder to get a positive result. Argentine defence is also a bit suspect. They have conceded goals in alarming frequency. Robben and Robin are seasoned campaigners. If not playing compact defence the dangerous Dutch forwards may toy with Argentine defence the same way that Germany did with Brazil.

Netherlands is one of the most inform side of the tournament and was instrumental in early exit of the  reigning champion and hot favorite Spain with a knockout punch. Netherlands are very sharp in counter attacks and sharp shooting strikers can score from even half chances from any range. Netherlands is the only team among the top football playing nation that has now won any world cup yet. They are also the nation which presented the concept to Total Football. They were not rated highly in pre-tournament previews. But they proved many pundits wrong with consistent good football and look one of the favorite to go all the way. But that task may not be so easy against another strong side having a pure magician.

I will rate Argentina marginally ahead but will not dismiss the chances of Netherlands as well.  If Argentina wins the final will be a fascinating duet between South American and European Giants and two previous champions. If Netherlands join Germany in the final it will be an all European battle. Either team winning the world cup in those circumstances will be a new record for a European side winning world cup from South America. Netherlands winning it will see a new champion.

With my Wife and Son cheering for Argentina and Messi I have to keep my fingers crossed and expect for a family feast tomorrow at Iftar.

BDST: 1212 HRS, JULY 9, 2014