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With the first round of matches complete, Goal.com looks at those who made the biggest impact.
It was Spain and the Czech Republic, who sizzled in the first round of matches.
They were the only ones who really convinced, with England, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and the Netherlands, all having to struggle for parts of the match, before collecting three points.
Trinidad and Tobago got a brave draw against Sweden, to surprise one and many, while Ecuador went one step further by humbling Poland. Korea and Australia did the most important thing: win.
Here are the eleven players, who, arguably, made the biggest impact in the sixteen matches, lined up in a 4-1-4-1. Attack minded; but hey, it's the World Cup!
Goalkeeper
Hislop (Trinidad and Tobago): A truly inspired, and inspiring display, to snatch a draw for his team – down to ten men for half the match – from the jaws of defeat. His saves lifted the entire team beyond their numerical disadvantage.
Defense (right to left)
Puyol (Spain): In here for a rock solid display in the heart of the Spanish defense, his creative role in Spain's fourth goal must have pleasantly surprised even the staunchest of his followers. The former full back has been shifted to the right in this week's eleven.
Hurtado (Ecuador): The disciplined centre-half showed exactly why he has won over 130 caps for the national team. The Ecuador skipper marshalled his defense, kept the Poles at bay, and picked up a serious looking knock for his efforts.
Cannavaro (Italy): Along with Nesta, masterminded a typical Italian defense, guarding the penalty area religiously.
Lahm (Germany): Was one of Germany's most impressive players, and left it glaringly obvious why Klinsmann had been sweating so much over his fitness over the last six months. A constant threat on the left, and great awareness in defense, given Schweinsteiger's roaming role ahead of him.
Defensive Midfield
Essien (Ghana): Ghana's best, the Chelsea man toiled for the entire ninety minutes, on a night when he was severely let down by his teammates up front. Stamped is authority in midfield, and ran the Ghana show in the second half. It was difficult to see him end up on the losing side.
Attacking Midfield (right to left)
Kaka (Brazil): The saving grace in a below par display from the five time champions, as much through his scorching matchwinner, as his tireless display throughout the match. With some support from Adriano and Ronaldo, Brazil could have done so much more.
Rosicky (Czech Republic): One wonders whether this space should be used to praise him, or Wenger, for not only snaring him, but also doing it before the World Cup. If Rosicky carries on like this, teams would willingly offer Wenger double, or even triple his transfer fee in a month's time. Not suggesting he would, could, or should sell, but you do the math on the investment front!
Cahill (Australia): For sheer impact, and for digging deep to give Australia the result they so deserved. The Socceroos should qualify if he and his teammates can repeat this display against Croatia in the third match.
Robben (Netherlands): With much of the focus on Nistelrooy, it was the pacy and skilful winger who made himself count for the Orange brigade. Chelsea's prized asset was consistent throughout the ninety minutes, beating defenders for pace, turning them inside-out, and regularly getting shots on target. It was only appropriate that the winner should be scored by him, after another breezy run, and a finish that would have made the best in the business proud.
Forward:
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast): As most of the players so far pretty much select themselves, I should be allowed to make one controversial choice. Saviola had a great game. Toni played very well. Klose and Villa bagges braces. Torres had an impressive match, but nobody was as consistently involved, without much support sometimes, as Drogba. I am one of his fiercest critics, never hesitating to remark that Chelsea cannot become Europe's best with him starting, but I have to give it to him for once, for a tireless, and truly inspirational display. Unfortunately, like many other Africans, his performance might also be in a cause already lost.
-----------------------------Hislop-------------------------
------Puyol--------Hurtado-------Cannavaro----------
-----------------------------------------------------Lahm--
-----------------------------Essien-------------------------
----Kaka----------Rosicky-----------Cahill---------------
----------------------------------------------Robben-------
----------------------------Drogba--------------------------
The likes of Klose, Saviola, Vogel, Ayala, Pirlo, David Villa, Robert Kovac, Zdenek Grygera and Riquelme just about miss out. To be honest, the list could go on.
Abhishek Thakur
http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoId=75010 |
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