Ghana and South Korea lead charge of the not so usual suspects
Published:Having already provided a flurry of shock results, this World Cup’s semi-finalists will be suitably unfamiliar with one of Ghana, the USA, Uruguay or South Korea guaranteed to be in the final four.
Uruguay, winners of Group A, take on Group B runners-up South Korea, while the USA, who pipped England to Group C top spot, face Group D’s second placed side, Ghana.
The victors from these two round of 16 ties will then face each other at the quarter-final stage, where one side will progress to the semi-finals.
Ghana were knocked out by Brazil in the second round at the 2006 World Cup, and they will be confident of going further in South Africa when they face the USA.
It promises to be a tight encounter, with both Ghana and the USA 13/8 to win inside 90 minutes. They are also inseparable at 5/6 each to qualify for the quarter-finals.
The USA reached the last eight at the 2002 World Cup, and their experience of playing in the final stages of a major tournament will be a boost to Bob Bradley’s side.
Ghana, however, proved in Group D what tough competitors they are by conceding only two goals. A Ghana win against the USA could be worth backing at 13/8.
The 2002 World Cup will be an inspiration to all four sides. Both Turkey and South Korea upset the odds to reach the semi-finals in Japan and South Korea eight years ago.
South Korea, in particular, will take heart from their fourth-place finish eight years ago. They are 7/2 to beat Uruguay and reach the quarter-finals.
Uruguay will be a difficult hurdle to clear. They have yet to concede at the World Cup, and their strikers Diego Forlan (10/1 to win the Golden Shoe) and Luis Suarez are hitting top form at just the right moment. A Uruguayan win is 5/6.
Can one of these outsiders go all the way? Uruguay are 16/1 to win the World Cup. See the full Tournament Winner market.
