Mexico vs. Japan: Who Will Progress Through to Gold Medal Match?

Mexico and Japan will square off in the semifinals of the 2012 London Olympics for a place in the tournament final and a shot at clinching an Olympic gold medal.

Both teams qualified undefeated atop their respective groups and enter the match as even-favorites to progress through to the gold medal match. Which, as spectators, means we're in for a fantastic encounter when the two sides clash on Tuesday.

The big question is though—who will progress through to the gold medal match and who will be forced to play off for the bronze medal against the loser of the Brazil-South Korea semifinal?

For me, I'm leaning with Japan.

Their defense has been simply dominant so far in these Olympics and against a Mexican side that needed extra time to top a surprising Senegal outfit, they should be too strong.

Japan are yet to concede a goal in the Olympics so far—a testament to their defense strength and focus—and as a unit, are paving the way for their offensive attacks. With their swarming pressure, the Asian powerhouse are forcing their opponents into mistakes and they're making them pay for it at the other end of the pitch.

Expect that to continue in this one.

Giovanni dos Santos holds the key for Mexico. They'll need the Tottenham Hotspur striker to be firing on all cylinders and to be his clinical in front of goal because chances are, against this strong Japanese defense, he's unlikely to get multiple opportunities to find the back of the net.

Japan are too strong in defense and too efficient on the counter-attack to fall apart in the serious rounds of the competition. They are cohesive and strong, and I expect them to win comfortably against a Mexican squad that promised so much yet ultimately, failed to deliver on their potential.

Who do you think will progress through to the gold medal match?

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