Anyone who has watched world soccer for years and years knows that from time to time you get situations where a result will be compromised to benefit both teams. We have seen that in the final games of the group stage in the Champions League and we have also seen that in the World Cup and Euro Championship. Who can forget Euro 2004 in Portugal when the two Scandanavian countries, Sweden and Denmark needed a draw of 2-2 or higher to BOTH advance to knock out Italy.The Italians were furious because the game ended 2-2 as expected. The Italians with their history should be the last to complain of fixed results.
On Wednesday we have two games. Argentina at Uruguay and Ecuador at Chile. These games are massive. Argentina are on the brink of missing the World Cup. Just imagine the riots. If Ecuador beat Chile and Uruguay beat Argentina than the unthinkable will happen and the Argentines are out, not even a playoff place. This is where the shady events may occur.
Ecuador at Chile.
Chile have allready qualified. This game means nothing to them but a heck of a lot to Ecuador. Argentina is Chiles biggest rival in soccer. I have some Chilean friends and they absolutely hate the Argentines when it comes to soccer. The Argies always beat them even when Chile outplays them. Think back to the recent Under 20 WC in Canada when Argentina with a great big of help from the German ref beat Chile. The Argies dived,whined and played a ugly brand of soccer that day. Some of those Chilean kids now play on the senior side.
Both games will be played at the same time but you just know Chile will play half heartdly. They know that Uruaguay can beat Argentina and a loss by them will eliminate their hated rival.
It will mean nothing if Argentina beat Uruguay but I think they will lose. I also believe in Karma and Diego Maradona has alot of bad karma with is comments about Pele and Brasil. No one will feel sorry for Argentina if they miss out. I'm a big fan of Lionel Messi so it would be unfortunate not to see him play in South Africa 2010.
So knowing the shady factor of World Soccer at times..I'm picking Ecuador to beat a uninspired Chile side on Wednesday. Ecuador pk.