Clash of the titans will revive memories
July 3rd, 2010
STRAKA'S WORLD: WE are down to the final eight teams and while each quarter-final will be a spectacle, Argentina's meeting with Germany holds the most historical weight.
It is a showdown that brings back memories of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
Argentina's Diego Maradona in the headlines, German legend Franz Beckenbauer taunting England in defeat, and now Germany and Argentina renewing a rivalry that has burned for years.
Twenty years ago, Beckenbauer coached one of the great German teams to their third and most recent World Cup, preventing Argentina from becoming the first team to defend the title since Brazil in 1962.
I witnessed first-hand how damaging West Germany were when they defeated us in the quarter-finals of that tournament.
It was a historic match as it was the last time Czechoslovakia and West Germany would play on the international stage, before the divisions of Soviet-era Europe were dissolved.
Beckenbauer masterminded a famous victory over reigning champions Argentina in the final of Italia 90, sweet revenge after the Argentineans defeated West Germany in the previous final in Mexico City.
Mexico '86 was Maradona's tournament, a performance that has not been rivalled in terms of sheer individual brilliance by any other player in history.
Now the focus is on his coaching skills as he looks to emulate Beckenbauer's achievement as the only man to captain and coach his nation to World Cup glory.
He was brought into the role in a desperate situation, with Argentina in danger of missing qualification completely before two dramatic victories under his watch saw them qualify fourth in South America.
Despite four convincing victories at this tournament, there are still questions over Argentina's defensive credentials.
It seems there is a belief that they will score more goals than their opponents, which may work against lesser teams, but Germany will provide the first real test to Maradona's system.
German coach Joachim Low is the complete opposite of his adversary for this match.
Whereas Maradona is impulsive, passionate and sometimes plain crazy, Low is a calm, understated and methodical coach, although not as defensive as previous German coaches.
It will be a fascinating battle between two sides that most recently clashed at this stage in the previous World Cup, where Germany knocked out Argentina on penalties.
A fight erupted on the touchline after Jens Lehmann made the winning save, something neither team will have forgotten.
This will simply be the next act in what has been one of the greatest rivalries in world football.
This tournament has also underlined the quality of South American sides with four teams left in the quarter-finals.
Brazil may not play a traditional attacking style but coach Dunga has shaped them into a disciplined, organised squad that has enjoyed remarkable consistency during his reign, despite a lack of popularity back home.
Paraguay and Uruguay have also formed their teams around disciplined defence with quick counter-attacks.
Uruguay will face Ghana, the sole remaining African team that carries the hopes of a continent hosting its first major sporting event.
Their progression is a wonderful result for the development of the game, while South Korea and Japan also represented Asia with honour by making the round of 16.
If the emergence of these developing football nations is one of the biggest stories of the World Cup, then the other must be the failure of some of Europe's top sides.
For the eight remaining teams, the sole focus is on the next match. Win this and you're one step away from the biggest match in world football.
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