FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa: Best Eleven Players of the Group Stages
The group stages ended last night with Spain and Chile becoming the last two teams sealing their places in the last sixteen of the world cup. There were some stand out players in the first round of the tournament and there were a few miserable flops as well. Let’s take a look at the best eleven players of the group stages:
The Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (GK) had an almost nonexistent defense in front of him, letting in a total of 5 goals during the group stages. This number would’ve been a lot higher had Vincent not put in extra ordinary performances. It is fair to say that if it hadn’t been for his heroics, Lionel Messi would have probably had a hatrick of goals in the Argentina vs. Nigeria game. In the following game against Greece, Enyeama kept Nigeria in the game for a long period of time, only to be let down again by his defense as Nigeria lost the game 2-1. In the last game against South Korea, Vincent Enyeama again showed his worth by pulling several blinding saves.
Maicon Douglas Sisenando (RB) show cased some tough tackling, he was solid at the back and swift with great shotting abilities. The Brazilian right back reminds us all of Cafu who led the Brazilians to the 2002 FIFA World Cup title. His goal against North Korea was brilliantly taken and the emotions that followed exhibited why World Cup is such a huge stage. Maicon gave unyielding performances for his team against Portugal and Ivory Coast as well.
Next on the list is the excellent John Terry (CB). Yes, England haven’t had the most impressive tournament so far as they have only won one of their three group games. John Terry has been ridiculed for his lack of pace by the British media but the English defense has been solid so far, only letting in one goal against U.S.A in their first match of the tournament. Terry has improved his game as the tournament has progressed. His goal saving tackles against the Slovenians were a treat to watch for anyone who appreciates the art of defending.
After having an injury troubled season for Chelsea the central defender, Ricardo Carvalho’s (CB) inclusion in the Portuguese squad was a source of criticism for the manager but his performances have been brilliant so far. Portugal have yet to concede a goal in this World Cup so far. They have had three straight clean sheets against Ivory Coast, North Korea and Brazil. Carvalho’s experience and leadership in the Portuguese defense has been a major influence on the team as a whole. His goal saving tackle against the Brazilian midfielder Baptista was an absolute joy to watch as the Portuguese displayed their defensive proficiency yet again.
Carlos Salcido (LB), the Mexican defender who plays for PSV Eindhoven, has been terrific so far in the tournament. His overlapping runs on the left wing have been great. His dribbling ability troubled the French defense a lot. He has been a consistent performer for Mexico so far. His performance against the 2006 finalists was one of the finest of the tournament so far. The left side of Mexican defense owes its stability to Salcido, who has got Messi up next to deal with in the round of sixteen. God help him.
The American midfielder Michael Bradley (CMF), has put in some terrific performances during the group stages. His linkup with the U.S.A attack during their game against Algeria was outstanding. His defensive job on Frank Lampard during the game against England was fantastic and his contribution to the great American come back against Slovenia was tremendous as well. Let’s hope he keeps up these performances in the next round of matches.
Then we have the amazingly talented Javier Mascherano (DMF). Maradona said during the Argentine qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup that the Argentine team consisted of Mascherano and ten other players. It is not hard to see why Maradona treasures his captain so much. An unbending defensive midfielder, Mascherano has been a shield in front of the Argentine defense. His defensive composure and work rate have allowed players like Higuain, Messi, Tevez and Di Maria to excel in the Argentinean attack. His role in the upcoming matches for Argentina in the knockout round of the World Cup will be crucial as far as their chances for winning the world title are concerned.
Mesut Ozil (AMF) was born in turkey but has been performing for Germany. The young midfielder has been the brightest talent at the world cup so far. His offensive midfield role for Germany has been spectacular and has reminded us all of a certain fellow named Zinedine Zidane. Mesut Ozil has a long way to go in his career to reach the heights of the great Zizou; a good start would be to put in match winning performances against England and maybe Argentina too in the quarters finals.
The Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder (AMF) has come at the back of a terrific season for Inter Milan and has taken the same form into the World Cup. His supply lines are well and truly a source of foot-balling nutrition for the Dutch strikers. His up field pass to launch a quick counter attack against Cameroon was spectacularly picked out and let’s not forget his goal against Japan which sealed a round of sixteen spot for Netherlands.
David Villa (FW) with three matches, three goals and one assist. These are the mind boggling statistics for David Villa at the FIFA 2010 World Cup so far. The Spanish goal machine has been on fire in the group stages after scoring twice against Honduras and then getting one more against Chile. His pace, technique and skill are going to trouble any team at the world cup who come up against Spain.
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