2010 FIFA World Cup: Top Goalkeepers to save the game
It indeed is true that a team can’t give steady match winning performances with a good goalkeeper. It is generally misconceived that defenders are the last line of defence but in fact the goalkeeper is. He is the last saviour for a team and can save the team from all kinds of troubles.
Here are 10 goalkeepers that will be worth keeping an eye on and will prove to be the 11th hour Samaritans for their team.
No. 10: Jan Mucha (Slovakia)
The 27 year old just recently had a new signing in the English Premier League club Everton. He has a major role in Slovakia’s place at the final stages.
After an early lead by the Slovakian team over Poland, Mucha made astounding saves on a snow laded pitch. The game was agonizingly close but the fearless Slovak was brilliant playing a key in the 1-0 victory that led them to the final stage in South Africa.
No. 9: Seigo Narazaki (Japan)
The top choice of the Japanese, Narazaki is playing in his fourth straight World Cup. The 35 year old didn’t have a similar story in 1998 and 2006 but was on Number One in 2002 when the Japan co-hosted the tournament.
No. 8: Heurelho Gomes (Brazil)
If the amazing Julio Cesar has an injury, the Brazilian fans won’t be in that much a shock as other teams would be. They know that Gomes will have their back.
The star has been on the fast track to world recognition in recent times and is now considered among the best. The 29 year old star’s with Tottenham Hotspurs and it was because of him that they qualified for the Champions League.
No. 7: Carlos Kameni (Cameroon)
Carlos Kameni is probably the best goalkeeper Africa has yet brought to the global face. He was the youngest footballer to have acquired an Olympic gold medal playing for Cameroon in Sydney in 2000.
The 26 year old nowadays is in Espanyol and is renowned for explosive bursts and sharp reflexives
No. 6: Mark Schwarzer (Australia)
The Australian veteran was part of the Socceroos’s World Cup 2006. Having drawn a hard group this summer, Schwarzer is bound to get busy in the tournament.
He is in top-notch form while his team, Fulham lost in the finals of the UEFA Cup having an astounding journey on the way. The 37 year old is currently being targeted by the Arsenal team.
No. 5: Pepe Reina (Spain)
Pepe Reina would have been well into any team’s Number One spot for goalkeeping but not Spain as they already have Iker Casillas.
The Liverpool keeper has had a dismissal season with his team but still looks brightly towards the World Cup, hoping to have cherishing memories.
No. 4: Hugo Lloris (France)
Lloris is an emerging star from Lyon. The young prodigy has put on amazing shows that has brought him to new heights among the elite.
He helped his team reach the semi-finals of the Champions League this season and gained the nickname ‘Saint Lloris’ during the qualifying stages of this tournament, for his instinct of being at the right place at the right time.
No. 3: Gigi Buffon (Italy)
The Italian maestro has been riddled with injuries this season and will be hoping to make his comeback in the World Cup. He will also have the chance to achieve 100 appearances for Italy.
His 2001 $46 million transfer from Parma to Juventus has been the highest price ever paid in a contract of a goalkeeper.
No. 2: Julio Cesar (Brazil)
Julio Cesar is set on a mission. The mission is to prove that Brazil has just as good goalkeepers as footballers.
The 30-year pro is known for his swiftness and has helped his club Inter Milan get the Champions League title. Since his comeback in 2007 he is regarded as one of the best keepers and has stolen an eye of the Brazilian coach Dunga to attain the keeping spot for the team.
No. 1 Iker Casillas (Spain)
No need to tell you about his achievements, you would have heard some to amaze you already. He has triumphed with IFFHS’s World’s Best Goalkeeper award for the past two years and has been a promised talent since his birth.
He has been the centre of attention between the goal posts of Real Madrid since he was 16 years old and is the youngest goalkeeper to play in a Champions League final at the age of 19 when he produced a clean sheet beating Valencia 3-0.
He became the Spanish star in 2002 when the original Number One Santiago Canizares got injured. Since then he hasn’t left the spotlight.
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