QUARTER FINALS >>> The Early Odds

Early Odds @7.00pm 30 June 2010

NOTE :
These are LIVE ODDS and can vary accordingly as each particular game draws closer to kick-off.
Asian Hcp Odds are on the right of each match.
Fixed Odds are at the bottom of the teams in match-ups

FIFA World Cup™ 2010 South Africa >>> Images U Cannot Forget

Please click on images to ENLARGE

Quarter Final #1 >>> 22 July 2010 @ 10.00pm (Malaysian Time)

Matches & Odds Centre
http://www.asianbookie.com/

BURSA MALAYSIA >>> FBM KLCI Futures Market Overview

FKLI Falls Amid Bearish Cash MartTHE FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index futures contracts on BursaMalaysia Derivatives closed lower yesterday amid a bearish cash market, dealers said.
At close, the June 2010 and September 2010 contracts dropped 16.5 points each to settle at 1,315.5 and 1,314.5 respectively while July 2010 fell 18 points to 1,315 and December 2010 went down 15.5 points to 1,315. Volume rose to 18,574 lots from 11,913 lots Monday while open interest fell to 20,724 contracts, from 21,746 contracts previously.

On the cash market, the benchmark FBM KLCI fell 5.7 points to close at 1,319.84.

SPAIN vs PORTUGAL >>> Maqtch Preview

IBERIAN DERBY
GUNG-HO FOOTBALL AT IT'S BEST GLAMOUR INCLUDED

Set to take centre stage in Cape Town on 29 June is a glittering Round of 16 clash between two neighbours and contenders for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ crown: Spain and Portugal. Standing second and third respectively in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the eagerly anticipated encounter between the Iberian duo at the Green Point Stadium is the sides’ first meeting at world football’s top table. Expectations are extremely high ahead of the last-16 meeting between two teams considered among the pre-tournament contenders for the coveted Trophy. And with La Roja and A Selecção das Quinas both having had to come through a gruelling group phase, one of the fancied pair will be heading home much earlier than expected.

European champions Spain arrived at South Africa 2010 as firm favourites for the world title along with Brazil, though Vicente del Bosque’s team were given a harsh wake-up call in an opening 1-0 defeat against Switzerland. Showing their mettle, La Selección gritted their teeth and won their next two Group H games against Honduras and Chile to qualify in top spot in their section and avoid a last-16 meeting with Dunga’s charges.

Portugal, for their part, safely negotiated a fiercely competitive Group G also containing Côte d’Ivoire, Korea DPR and Brazil.

Winger Simao knows his side will be facing one of the best teams in the world, but insists they have no fear.
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque takes no pleasure in avoiding Brazil in the World Cup second round, with Iberian rivals Portugal an equally tough hurdle for the European champions on Tuesday.

"Without showing them a lack of respect, we're not scared at all," said the Atletico Madrid star. We've got a great team too. And to become better, we have to beat Spain. They're champions of Europe, but we have our own qualities."

Carlos Queiroz’s solid side played out a goalless opening draw with Didier Drogba and Co before cutting loose in a 7-0 success over the North Koreans. Following that goalfest, another scoreless draw in their final game against the five-time world champions was enough to secure second spot and a place in the knockout stages.

Both coaches have near-to-full-strength squads from which to choose, though former Real Madrid boss Del Bosque will be without key midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Raul Albiol. Opposite number Queiroz, who also once held the reins at Los Merengues, welcomes back midfield schemer Deco though cannot call upon the versatile Ruben Amorim.

Portugal have now kept a clean sheet in 22 of their last 26 internationals and these tactics are likely to be used again to counter the threat of Fernando Torres and the in-form David Villa, who has already scored three goals. Coach Carlos Queiroz warned though that statistics meant little in knockout football. "We can't go into the round of 16 simply on reputation or statistics. The players now have to deliver the goods," he said.

Key battle : David Villa v Cristiano Ronaldo

The Spanish striker’s three-goal haul so far at South Africa 2010 has taken his tally at FIFA World Cups to six in total, making Barcelona’s new signing his country’s highest ever scorer in the competition. The flying Portuguese winger, for his part, has struck just once to date in South Africa despite claiming the Budweiser Man of the Match award in each of his side’s three matches. The Real Madrid forward needed a total of 17 shots to score his solitary goal, which came in the demolition of Korea DPR, though Ronaldo can count himself unfortunate to have been denied by the woodwork on two occasions already.
Prediction
Portugal have a reputation as an obdurate and organised side under Queiroz, and while that tactic may work against many teams, an opponent like Spain will pick you off with their undoubted talent to unlock the most unyielding defence.
For Portugal die-hards, evermore confident with zero game loss nor a goal conceded so far in South Africa.
Even the much heralded Brazilians failed to score against Cristiano Ronaldo and his miserly defenders.
But games are won by goals scored and this is where the Spaniards have the cutting edge.
A game for footie purists.
THE PICK ASIAN HANDICAP ODDS
Take SPAIN give 1/2 goal >>> PORTUGAL (Main Bet)
FIXED ODDS
Take a 90 minutes Normal Time DRAW (Small Side Bet Insurance)
Odds Centre >>> http://www.asianbookie.com/

PORTUGAL are not ranked #3 behind Spain becoz they have glamour boy Cristiano Ronaldo. These Portugese are ranked third becoz they play good football.
No, make that great football :P

PARAGUAY vs JAPAN >>> Match Preview

HONDA POWERED BLUE SAMURAIS

Coach Okada : "We'll engineer a way through Paraguay"

History will be made whatever the outcome when Paraguay meet Japan in the Round of 16 – for whoever prevails in Pretoria will advance to the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals for the first time. Having gone beyond the group stage on three of their past seven finals appearances.

Gerardo Martino's Paraguay will be determined to build on their success in finishing top of Group F against a Japan side through to the knockout phase for the first time on foreign soil.
Previously famed for their tenacious rearguard,
Paraguay are not just about defence, their 4-3-3 formation including the vastly-experienced Rogue Santa Crus alongside Borussia Dortmund duo Lucas Barrios and Nelson Valdez. Yet they also carry a scoring threat from midfield as Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros showed when each scored in their 2-0 win over Slovakia.

Opponents Japan have shaken off the lacklustre form they showed in the build-up to this tournament to defeat Cameroon and Denmark en route to the last 16. Coach Takeshi Okada's tactical gamble has paid off in style, with Keisuke Honda thriving in a new attacking role. Behind him, Yasuhito Endo and Makoto Hasebe have bossed the midfield and Japan showed against Denmark that their armoury includes a distinct set-piece threat – two of their three goals coming direct from free-kicks.
Of course their tireless approach also gives them a seeming edge in fitness over some of their rivals. While there is likely to be no change in the Japan lineup, Paraguay have to make do without defensive midfielder Victor Caceres through suspension although centre-back Antolin Alcaraz could return after sitting out the last game through an ankle injury.

It is the two sides' first match-up at the FIFA World Cup but they are by no means strangers having met six times previously. The South Americans have recorded two wins to Japan’s one, though the Asians prevailed in the most recent friendly in 2003.

Japan player to watch: Yasuhito Endo
Much of Japan's success at this World Cup has been built on set-pieces, and Endo is one of the best exponents in the team. The 30-year-old, who was Asia's Player of the Year in 2009, is at the hub of the creativity in the side and has an excellent range of passing.

Paraguay player to watch: Enrique Vera
Vera's darting run from midfield to score Paraguay's opening goal in the 2-0 win over Slovakia has been one of the highlights of Paraguay's campaign so far. Though primarily a defensive player, Vera has the ability to weigh in with goals too.

Key Battle : Justo Villar v Keisuke Honda
Injured in the opening minutes of Paraguay's Germany 2006 campaign, Villar has been seeking to make amends this time and conceded just one goal during the group campaign. The 32-year-old Paraguay captain, however, will have to be wary of Japan's danger man Honda, the midfielder-turned striker who has scored twice so far. The 25-year-old CSKA Moscow man has quickly become Japan's new talisman over the past months, scoring six goals which led to six wins.

Prediction

Japan have already surprised many at this tournament, but the strength of Paraguay's defence should be the difference. While the Samurais are agile & speedy, the South American have the physical advantage to deal with aerial attacks. This will work in their favour in the opponent's penalty box and set pieces.

Paraguay to nick this one maybe by 2 goals.

You can expect the Samurais to fight till the last man standing.

Great match tonight.
THE PICKASIAN HANDICAP ODDS
Take PARAGUAY give 1/2 goal >>> JAPAN (Main Bet)
FIXED ODDS
Take PARAGUAY WIN w/o giving Handicap (Main Bet)

Odds Centre >>> http://www.asianbookie.com/

WALL ST. >>> Bulls Surrender Intraday Lead

U.S. Stocks declined 5 points at the close

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA – 10,138.52) settled yet another yo-yo session in the red today, giving up 5.3 points, or 0.1%, as 17 of its 30 components ended lower. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Boeing (BA) paced the declining blue chips, while Coca-Cola Co. (KO) and Intel (INTC) paved the path for the 13 advancing equities. During the course of the session, the blue-chip barometer briefly crossed the 10,200 threshold, before succumbing to resistance at its 20-day moving average.
In the same vein, the S&P 500 Index (SPX – 1,074.57) surrendered intraday gains to end 2.2 points, or 0.2%, lower, while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP – 2,220.65) finished with a deficit of 2.8 points, or 0.1%.

Crude futures retreated in parity with concerns about a hurricane in the Gulf

Crude futures backpedaled today, thanks to disintegrating concerns about a potential hurricane disrupting production. More specifically, weather experts are no longer predicting Tropical Storm Alex to threaten refining areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, the greenback's newfound strength also weighed on black gold, making it more expensive for foreign-currency holders to scoop up the dollar-denominated commodity. By the close, crude oil for August delivery shed 61 cents, or 0.8%, to finish at $78.25 per barrel.

BRAZIL vs CHILE >>> Match Preview

YELLOW CARDS DEPLETE CHILEAN DEFENCE

Coach Bielsa : Strikeforce in good form

Brazil boss Dunga endures a strained relationship with his country's media for being too defensive for their extravagant taste. But the 1994 World Cup-winning captain has constructed a team built on solid foundations that are tough to beat, have already won the Confederations Cup and the Copa America and are favourites to win the 2010 World Cup.

The five-time World Champions eased through the 'Group of Death', with victories over North Korea and Ivory Coast allowing Dunga to omit his key attacking trio, for one reason or another, for the 0-0 draw against Portugal as qualification was already assured. Robinho was rested, Elano missed the game with injury and Kaka was suspended following a controversial red card against Ivory Coast. All three are expected to start on Monday.

It is a different story for Chile, however. La Roja's gung-ho approach to tackling means manager Marcelo Bielsa has a number of suspensions to deal with. Defenders Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce will be missing from the back four and holding midfielder Marco Estrada is also serving a ban. Coach Bielsa however said his strikers are playing well.

Their indiscipline could prove costly as, according to FIFA, which uses tracking technology to capture data on each player at the World Cup and then assesses it to see if it had a positive or negative impact on their team, Ponce and Medel were the two most effective players in the tournament during the first two matches.

The Chileans qualified from Group H, behind European champions Spain, by playing a brand of attacking football that won many fans. Given the issues they have at the back, it seems like Bielsa will be forced to continue that attacking approach against a Brazilian side that has struggled to break down defensive teams in the recent past.
On the plus side, Carlos Carmona returns after a one match ban to replace Estrada and Mathias Fernandez is back to provide some guile in midfield when on the attack.

Brazil player in focus: Kaka

The Brazilian playmaker arrived at the World Cup following a pretty poor first season at Real Madrid but his importance to the national side was highlighted by his absence in the 0-0 draw against Portugal. Although still far from his best, Kaka still managed to set up two goals in Brazil's crucial 3-1 win over Ivory Coast, including dancing through two tackles to provide Luis Fabiano with his opening goal, and he will be chomping at the bit after being sent off in that match.

Chile player in focus: Alexis Sanchez

This pacy Udinese forward has already established himself as a "wonderkid'" in his homeland and standout performances in wins over Honduras and Switzerland at the World Cup have enhanced his reputation still further. Sanchez is a player with great technique, who prefers to play in wide areas but can also get into the box and score goals. Playing in a front three allows him drift in and out of the box and find space in which to use his pace.

Key battle: Luis Fabiano v Claudio Bravo
In an interview this week, Brazilian striker Fabiano issued a come-and-get-me plea to Manchester United and AC Milan and if he can continue his goalscoring exploits against Chile he may well get his wish. The Sevilla player is the only out-and-out striker in the Brazil side and he will pose serious threat to Chile's second-string defence. Chile 'keeper Claudio Bravo will be expecting a busy day between the posts and will be hoping to avoid a similar howler to the one that gifted Spain's Andres Iniesta with the opening goal in their last match. He had been excellent until then.
Prediction
If Chile had all their players available it would be a very tall order to beat Brazil, who are old hands at easing through the second round, but with two key defenders suspended it makes a potential shock even more unlikely.
THE PICKASIAN HANDICAP ODDS
Take BRAZIL give 1 goal >>> CHILE (Main Bet)
FIXED ODDS
Take BRAZIL WIN (Main Bet)

Odds Centre >>> http://www.asianbookie.com/