Any suggestions much appreciated. My initial thoughts below: Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (Germany) Brad Friedel (USA) Recber Rustu (Turkey) Marcos (Brazil) Lee Woon-Jae (South Korea) Full-back Cafu (Brazil) Roberto Carlos (Brazil) Francisco Arce (Paraguay) Lee Young-Pyo (South Korea) Ferdinand Coly (Senegal) Carles Puyol (Spain) Omar Daf (Senegal) Thomas Helveg (Denmark) Ashley Cole (England) Centre-back Rio Ferdinand (England) Hong Myung-Bo (South Korea) Sol Campbell (England) Fernando Hierro (Spain) Alpay (Turkey) Martin Laursen (Denmark) Edmilson (Brazil) Christoph Metzelder (Germany) Central Midfield Michael Ballack (Germany) Yoo-Sang Chul (South Korea) Gerardo Torrado (Mexico) Claudio Reyna (USA) Papa Bouba Diop (Senegal) Nicky Butt (England) Junichi Inamoto (Japan) John O’Brien (USA) Attacking Midfield Landon Donovan (USA) Marc Wilmots (Belgium) Anders Svensson (Sweden) Yildiray Basturk (Turkey) Wingers Hasan Sas (Turkey) Damien Duff (Ireland) Bernd Schneider (Germany) Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria) Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal) Umit Davala (Turkey) Forward Ronaldinho (Brazil) Raul (Spain) Rivaldo (Brazil) El-Hadji Diouf (Senegal) Ilhan Manzis (Turkey) Striker Ronaldo (Brazil) Miroslav Klose (Germany) Jon-Dahl Tomasson (Denmark) Christian Vieri (Italy) Fernando Morientes (Spain) Henrik Larsson (Sweden) Robbie Keane (Ireland)
Buyers beware etc. but this is probably interesting and not shown previously (not sure if cumulative or average?): TOP 10 GOALKEEPERS Opta ratings 1 Rustu Recber Turkey 1,362 2 Oliver Kahn Germany 1,125 3 David Seaman England 1,092 4 Marcos Brazil 946 5 Tony Sylva Senegal 913 6 Shay Given Ireland 905 7 Oscar Perez Mexico 903 8 Seigo Narazaki Japan 897 9 Lee Woon-jae South Korea 820 10 Thomas Sorensen Denmark 788 TOP 10 DEFENDERS Opta ratings 1 Francisco Arce Paraguay 1,142 2 Thomas Linke Germany 1,086 3 Torsten Frings Germany 1,048 4 Fernando Hierro Spain 1,039 5 Fatih Aykel Turkey 1,028 6 Rio Ferdinand England 1,010 7 Tsuneyasu Miyamoto Japan 966 8 Ergun Turkey 959 9 Alpay Turkey 946 10 Roberto Carlos Brazil 944 TOP 10 MIDFIELDERS Opta ratings 1 Rivaldo Brazil 1,209 2 Marc Wilmots Belgium 1,125 3 Gerardo Torrado Mexico 1,021 4 Claudo Reyna USA 1,011 5 Emre Turkey 1,006 6 David Beckham England 999 7 Michael Ballack Germany 967 8 Papa Bouba Diop Senegal 907 9 Umit Davala Turkey 887 10 Landon Donovan USA 881 TOP 10 ATTACKERS Opta ratings 1 Ronaldo Brazil 1,649 2 Christian Vieri Italy 1,276 3 Cuauhtemoc Blanco Mexico 1,230 4 Raul Spain 1,227 5 Miroslav Klose Germany 1,201 6 Henrik Larsson Sweden 968 7 Robbie Keane Ireland 902 8 Jon Dahl Tomasson Denmark 885 9 Ahn Jung-hwan South Korea 840 10 Roque Santa Cruz Paraguay 828 This shows it from before the 3rd place match and final game, which made me wonder whether this is cumulative (as in some other releases by them). http://www.elmundo.es/porras/losmejores.html All those injuries and the shortest ever resting period mixed up the tournament.
If I remember correctly, this was my tournament XI (I still preferred to use a 4-4-2 for all-star XI's so placed Ronaldinho as winger, although forward is the best classification indeed): 1 - Kahn 2 - Cafu 3 - Roberto Carlos 4 - Hierro 5 - Edmilson 6 - Inamoto 7 - Dennis Rommedahl 8 - Svensson 9 - Ronaldo 10 - Rivaldo 11 - Ronaldinho comme looks to have made a good representative list. Perhaps these can be considered for * though too potentially (not listing Rommedahl as he's in my XI, and neither Joaquin as short on game time although did make the honourable mentions for the actual all-star team): Henri Camara - Senegal (forward) Dario Rodriguez - Uruguay (left-back) Gilberto Silva - Brazil (CM) Kleberson - Brazil (CM/AM) Juninho Paulista - Brazil (CM/AM) * Arguably Kleberson and Juninho sharing game time can cost both though? Park Ji-Sung - S.Korea (Winger) Ahn Jung-Hwan - S.Korea (Striker) Brian McBride - USA (Striker) Dietmar Hamann - Germany (CM) Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon (forward/striker) Hidatoshi Nakata - Japan (CM/AM)
The Guardian did some match ratings player by player I see, accessible from the related stories section here (I just verified one page so far for Brazil vs Turkey though): https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/29/worldcupfootball2002.sport10 Here is the page for the Final itself: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/30/worldcupfootball2002.sport16
Maybe this shows all their ratings pages (but for some games either only notable, for good or bad, players were picked out or only some of the entries and ratings remain now): https://www.google.co.uk/search?sou...0i22i30k1j33i22i29i30k1j33i21k1.0.QFqhiwkeRkQ
Regarding the honourable mentions for the All-Star team, this was what I found and posted on another thread:
Svensson played well against Argentina and as substitute against England isn't it? Has also elsewhere in his national team career flickering sparks against good teams (vs Spain at euro 2008 for example). Not that one ends up with an amazing density, or had it in each tournament, but he had his moments against good teams from time to time. Maybe edging on the surprising that in the Premier League, although he was an appreciated player at Southampton, he has only 10 goals and 11 assists in 127 games (or 0.22 per 90 minutes).
Yes, hard to recall exactly but I think he was mostly playing well in that World Cup and had a good game in general vs Senegal I seem to remember. Not to say he'd be a shoe-in for an XI (though I don't see I'd retrospectively take him out of mine for any reason), as he wasn't in the all-star selection, and in the Kicker ratings I'm just checking now he scores well but the midfield 4 (if being equally open to putting players in roles they didn't necessarily play) in a Kicker ratings XI would be Juninho-Wilmots-Torrado-Duff (interestingly only Juninho would be in the team from Brazil!). http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/wm/spiele/weltmeisterschaft/2002/topspieler-der-saison.html
Probably showing Kicker's team as 4-3-3 would be better though anyway (with Juninho in the midfield and Duff in the attack), but I can't really do that with my XI as Rommedahl should be a winger and so therefore I think it's reasonable to put Ronaldinho as one too (in effect he was acting as such fairly often in games - more than Rivaldo was).
Sorry for the late delay, but this would be my ideas. PDG1978 had some good suggestions, I agree (Juninho certainly). It is a difficult tournament to rate because of the injuries, the short rest period and so many teams disintegrated (France, Italy, Argentina, Portugal, Croatia, Uruguay) and others who did better had an easy route or group (Germany, Brazil, Spain). England is the notable exception. In a few seasons I feel there weren't many outstanding goalkeepers (in part because some excellent keepers like Frey, Given, Sar with strong records/stats played a bit under the radar) but this World Cup had some prominent ones. It's a relatively strong position. Kahn saw his weakness exploited by Brazil, his known (relative) weakness was the lower left corner (also visible in various Real Madrid games, most famously in 2004). This category might be expanded a bit, also looking at what Gazzetta, kicker and France Football thought. Shay Given was excellent against Spain in the round of 16. The two Brazilians are the obvious ones, with Arce as best alternative pick yes. He did play poor when they were eliminated in the round of 16. This is (traditionally) not a stacked a position. Best 'defensive' full-back probably Puyol. I do remember him as doing good. I'm not sure which team was relatively impregnable (hence no surprise goalkeepers got their share of fame). Maybe Brazil and England as best bets. Of the dark horse teams South Korea as best defenders. Interesting that kicker rated Ballack as only 26th best midfielder (per average grade). Nominally a defensive or central midfielder but that is not how he played. Of the 'real' defensive midfielders probably Torrado and Butt as best bet. Nicky Butt received some big praise. Again, many teams imploded (including Portugal, Uruguay...). Hard to make a choice. Creatively Donovan and Svensson were the best with the most chances. Wilmots had a high work rate, did a lot and correctly scores well in the OPTA Index as well as high kicker ratings (terrible coach, but a bit of an underrated player imho). All three stepped up against the better opponents and/or later stages. Gazzetta dello Sport placed both Svensson and Wilmots in their all-star team. Ballack might be moved to the attacking midfielders, and be at/among the top then. Duff has stellar ratings in kicker, France Football. His stats are less stellar, for a winger, and therefore I can understand why he is not in the top 10 of the Opta Index - but his 'rivals' are not stellar there either. Duff was maybe among the best dribblers of the World Cup, maybe the best. Cannot find this stat to verify the idea. If I remember well he ranked high. Of the 'big' names David Beckham very arguably, despite his foot injury. Had Ronaldinho played all games then he would be #1 without much doubt. He was however red carded, suspended, and unused in one group stage game (subbed off after 45 and 67 minutes in the other two). I feel however he was man of the match against England (before his red card) and also the best player on the pitch, at least best Brazilian, in their difficult match against Belgium in the round of 16. That counts for something. Raul was arguably the best player of the group stage (Slovenia, Paraguay, South Africa), but then got injured against Ireland in round of 16 and wasn't quite equally impressive before his injury in this match. During his playing days many struggled to assess Raul. He was quite like the Thomas Muller of his time, but with an elegant touch. I think this was his best tournament (in other tournaments not as consistent, nor did he perform well/better/decisively against the top teams). This is Ronaldo obviously (even with the deflection awarded to him). Klose didn't perform in the KO stages with all his games rated 4.0 or lower by kicker in these games. It's not that he did not score, but he did not play of appropriate standard either. Special mention for Tomasson who managed to score 4 goals (1 pen) out of 5 shots.
I don't think I've seen the Gazzetta dello Sport ratings and/or All-Star team Puck, so those could definitely be a good addition to the thread (not sure whether comme will have seen them himself or not, but I suspect he did already look at Kicker's since the website with them available for various tournaments, since 1998 I think, has been discussed fairly often before).
This was their all-star team: ALL STAR GAZZETTA La Gazzetta uses individual performance reports of each player since the first to the last game he played. Oliver Kahn, (Brad Friedel) Hong Myung-bo, Rio Ferdinand, Fabio Cannavaro, Johan Mjallby (Alpay Ozalan) Michael Ballack, Marc Wilmots, Anders Svensson, (Gerrardo Torrado, Papa Bouba Diop) Ronaldo, Rivaldo, El Hadji-Diouf, (Raul Gonzalez) This link doesn't show who was on the bench, but you have to believe me this is correct. http://boards.fool.com/the-official-wc2002-team-17446899.aspx?sort=whole You can verify this with the combined Gazzetta-Corriere ratings here: http://football-ratings.blogspot.com/2011/10/average-ratings-world-cup-2002.html Damien Duff had indeed a great game against Spain.
In case you're interested this shows Wilmots all his national team goals. Including some proper ones against France, Italy, Netherlands. His shooting technique (see the first goal vs France.. after 4 minutes some more examples), making difficult shots, was one of his strong points and that's how he scored a decent chunk of goals as a midfielder. He had nine seasons with 10+ goals (in all competitions). His goals in the quarter, semi and final of the 1997 UEFA Cup were vital for Schalke04 their first big success since the late 1950s. His work rate and his teamwork, to be a point of relief for his team and making himself available, was another strong point of him. Without the ball, he selflessly filled in gaps and tried to provide cohesion. 'Pes Stats' correctly rates that as one of his best attributes, and rate it at a high 95. In the Brazil match the BBC commentators say around the 70th minute mark: "Wilmots deserves a goal, he has been excellent against Brazil". Goalkeeper Marcos had some good saves in this match. This is Japanese commentary but terrific video quality, also showing Ronaldinho his contribution nicely
So using the same template (any 4 defenders, 3 midfielders, 3 attackers) the combined team/squad with Corriere dello Sera's ratings considered too would change to: Kahn (Buffon or Casillas - Marcos must rate higher than Friedal with CdS slightly at least too); Jakobsson, Nesta, Cannavaro, Mjallby (J.Zanetti if considered a defender, or Ferdinand) Ballack, Torrado, Svensson (Bouba Diop, Wilmots) Diouf, Ronaldo, H.Camara (Recoba if considered attacker*, otherwise Hasan Sas) * Recoba as midfielder would be in the XI, even if it might then seem a very attacking 4-2-3-1 at least, and Ballack instead of Wilmots as 'sub'. Thanks for the Wilmots post - I'll take a proper look before too long.
Okay cool, thanks. I think he's also one of those players who fit better in a 'national team XI' than an all-time XI if you know what I mean (Luc Nilis, of the same generation, is the opposite case; Eden Hazard today). It's not only this final tournament but also the play-offs against Czech Republic, which had a competitive team at the time, as well as other tournaments and qualifiers. This might very well apply to Svensson of Sweden too, that he is a better fit for a 'national team hall of fame' with also some other good performances elsewhere (vs Spain in 2008). Here his long distance strike in the 1997 UEFA Cup final, beating Pagliuca. What has above all stuck are monikers as "the bull", "the warpig", "the warthog".
Yes, applies to Inamoto too I guess (not that in his case I know much of his other games for Japan)! Maybe even Torrado. It might be said that it was at least lucky that some of these less famous names did show their best form, since some major stars didn't or were not present.
This was the Guardian writers' review of the tournament: David Lacey: Player of the tournament Ronaldinho. Biggest disappointment The French disconnection. Favourite game The final, naturally. Golden goal Ronaldinho's run and pass and Rivaldo's superbly executed shot when Brazil drew level with England. Quote of the tournament "Eriksson talks about pace but nothing can run faster than the ball" - Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Brazilian coach, after his 10-man team had beaten England. My World Cup XI Marcos (Brazil); Puyol (Spain), Ferdinand (England), Ramelow (Germany), Pope (United States); Ortega (Argentina), Ballack (Germany) Ahn Jung-hwan (South Korea), Ronaldinho (Brazil); Rivaldo (Brazil), Ronaldo (Brazil). Richard Williams Player of the tournament Ronaldo - for the pleasure of seeing a great player rediscover more than a semblance of his former self. Biggest disappointment The sad sight of Paolo Maldini missing the last, crucial header of a magnificent international career. Favourite game France 0 Uruguay 0. The first winners and the last put on an unexpected epic full of desperate hand-to-hand combat. Golden goal Edmilson against Costa Rica - a pair of one-twos followed by an improvised bicycle kick from the tournament's most original player. Quote of the tournament "Apart from Kahn, you could put that lot in a bag and beat it with a stick and whoever got hit would deserve it" - Franz Beckenbauer on Germany, after their 1-0 win over South Korea. My World Cup XI Rustu Recber (Turkey); Finnan (Republic of Ireland), Lucio (Brazil), Edmilson (Brazil), Ashley Cole (England); Song Chong-gug (South Korea), Wilmots (Belgium), Fadiga (Senegal); Raul (Spain), Ronaldo (Brazil), Ronaldinho (Brazil). Ron Atkinson Player of the tournament Ronaldo. To come back as the World Cup's leading scorer and get two in the final shows phenomenal character. Biggest disappointment England's failure to show enough quality, drive or belief when they could have had a 10-man Brazil on the ropes in their quarter-final. Favourite game Germany v Brazil - the final the tournament deserved and the best since 1982. Golden goal Ronaldo's second yesterday. It was vintage Brazil, passing and passing before Ronaldo provided a great finish. Quote of the tournament That infamous Beckenbauer quote (see above). My World Cup XI Kahn (Germany); Song Chong-gug (South Korea), Ferdinand (England), Hierro (Spain), Roberto Carlos (Brazil); Okocha (Nigeria), Hamann (Germany), Ballack (Germany), Fadiga (Senegal); Ronaldinho (Brazil); Ronaldo (Brazil). Danny Mills Player of the tournament From an England perspective, my Leeds team-mate Rio Ferdinand elevated his status to world class with a near faultless display, but I think Ronaldo's performances have justified his tag as the best striker in the world. Biggest disappointment Naturally our exit still rankles with me. Having taken the game to Brazil, two goals either side of half-time had us chasing the game and we failed to respond in the way that we'd wished. Still, there is some consolation in the fact that we lost to the eventual winners. Favourite game The victory against Argentina gave me particular satisfaction. The World Cup history between the two teams is well documented, so to walk off the pitch and see the 1-0 result on the scoreboard was a fantastic feeling. Golden goal Dario Rodriguez's volley for Uruguay in their opening game against Denmark. From a cleared corner, the ball was controlled and touched on for him to volley spectacularly into the top corner. I don't think the ball touched the floor throughout the move. Quote of the tournament "Where's the chessboard?" - Sol Campbell on our arrival at Awaji Island. My World Cup XI It would be wrong for me to single out players from our camp, and Mick McCarthy's squad for that matter, so here is my non-England-and-Ireland XI. Rustu (Turkey); Hong Myung-bo (South Korea), Linke (Germany), Hierro (Spain), Roberto Carlos (Brazil); Hasan Sas (Turkey), Rivaldo (Brazil), Ballack (Germany), Okocha (Nigeria); Ronaldo (Brazil), Klose (Germany). Ron Manager Player of the tournament Caniggia! - end of story. Biggest disappointment Er well to be fair . . . all a bit "family orientated" wasn't it, hmm? No water cannon? No riot-shields? . . . Let's be honest, it's not really football till it all kicks off, hmm? Favourite game Ho ho beach volleyball isn't it? . . . Enduring image hmm? . . . Only joking . . . of course it's bloomin' football isn't it? . . . Marvellous. Golden goal Rio Ferdinand isn't it? . . . Sheer tenacity! . . . as the goalie plucks his tame header out of the air and flings it into the net, he seizes the opportunity! After three days of harrying the Fifa bigwigs . . . "Ferdinand . . . GOOoooaaaaal!" Quote of the tournament "Pear-shape, pear-shape, pear-shape." My World Cup XI Seaman, Wan Long Punt, Bejabers, Socrates, Rivelino, Rondivaldhinho, Papa Booboo, Thumbelina , Muzzard Izzard, Hugh Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert Dibble and Grubb. Michael Walker Player of tournament Ronaldo. Biggest disappointment Italy's attitude. Favourite game France v Uruguay. Golden goal Rivaldo's against England. Quote of the tournament "For the third goal I blame the ball" - The Saudi keeper Mohammed Al-Deayea. My World Cup XI Kahn (Germany); Puyol (Spain), Ferdinand (England), Edmilson (Brazil), Roberto Carlos (Brazil); Schneider (Germany), Wilmots (Belgium), Lee Yung-pyo (South Korea), Duff (Republic of Ireland); Ronaldo (Brazil), Ronaldinho (Brazil). Dominic Fifield Player of the tournament Hasan Sas. The effervescent performer behind a largely disappointing Hakan Sukur inspired the Turks to reach the semi-finals. Biggest disappointment France. The defending champions and favourites were supposed to have added firepower to the finesse of four years ago. They didn't even manage a goal, whingeing out at the first stage after barely mustering a whimper. Favourite game Senegal 3 Uruguay 3. The Lions needed a point to qualify and were rampant, roaring into a three-goal lead at the interval. Uruguay promptly roared back to parity, only for Richard Morales to miss an open goal in injury-time that would have put them through. Golden goal Edmilson against Costa Rica. Starting deep inside his own half, he exchanged one-twos with Rivaldo and Roque Junior before twisting to pummel a stunning scissor-kick volley into the corner. Quote of the tournament "We have adapted well to life without Zinedine [Zidane]. As far as our fans are concerned we have to win the World Cup. They'll be after my blood if we don't, but this is a great France team." - Roger Lemerre, France's coach, after the goalless draw with Uruguay left them bottom of Group A. My World Cup XI Kahn (Germany); Ferdinand (England), Hong Myung-bo (South Korea), Metzelder (Germany); Inamoto (Japan), Reyna (United States), Bouba Diop (Senegal), Duff (Republic of Ireland); Hasan Sas (Turkey); Rivaldo (Brazil), Ronaldo (Brazil). Daniel Taylor Player of the tournament Ronaldo. As John Motson said: "In 1998 he had a seizure; in 2002 he seizes the moment." Biggest disappointment Roy Keane's refusal to say sorry. Favourite game South Korea 2 Italy 1. South Korea showed themselves to be great winners while Italy were terrible losers. Golden goal Ahn Jung-hwan's winner for South Korea against Italy. An Italian journalist in the press box had sung his own tune during the Korea national anthem - he did not look so clever after 117 minutes in Daejeon. Quote of the tournament "He said to us: 'You all go with the flow.' "I thought: 'Here we go again.' He'd been hammering me with one-liners all week. I asked him: 'What goes with the flow?' 'Dead fish,' he said. I thought: 'Wow! P-R-O-F-O-U-N-D! The Messiah has spoken." - Jason McAteer on Roy Keane. My World Cup XI Casillas (Spain); Cafu (Brazil), Lucio (Brazil), Hierro (Spain), Metzelder (Germany); Ronaldinho (Brazil), Ballack (Germany), Helguera (Spain), Duff (Republic of Ireland); Ronaldo (Brazil), Rivaldo (Brazil). Jim White Player of the tournament Michael Ballack. His response to being booked in the semi and thus suspended from the final was the magnificent antithesis of blubbing self-pity. Won't win him any commercial endorsements, however. Biggest disappointment Apart from the French, the Italians, the Portuguese and the Argentinians, it was England's limpness in defeat by Brazil. Favourite game Ireland's last-minute recovery against Germany. If nothing else, it showed England what spirit can deliver. Golden goal Diego Forlan for Uruguay against Senegal. You knew it was an odd World Cup from the moment Forlan got a goal. Quote of the tournament "I think the conditions suited them more than us" - Mark Kinsella after Ireland's rain-drenched victory over Saudi Arabia. My World Cup XI Kahn (Germany); Cafu (Brazil), Hong Myung-bo (South Korea), Ferdinand (England), Roberto Carlos (Brazil); Inamoto (Japan), Ballack (Germany); Duff (Ireland), Ronaldo (Brazil), Rivaldo (Brazil), Diouf (Senegal). Martin Kelner Player of the tournament Oliver Kahn - single-handedly (with the help of the other hand, feet, knees, chin etc) kept Germany in the tournament. Biggest disappointment Sven-Goran Eriksson's inability to change tactics against Brazil changed the Friday morning atmosphere in school halls across the nation from carnival to double maths. Favourite game England v Argentina - as above, in reverse. Golden goal Salif Diao, for Senegal against Denmark. Great team goal. Quote of the tournament "You would think if any team could put up a decent wall it would be China" -Terry Venables on China's shambolic defence of free-kick. My World Cup XI Kahn (Germany); Hong Myung-bo (S Korea), Puyol (Spain), Ferdinand (England), Nesta (Italy); Hasan Sas (Turkey), Inamoto (Japan), Al Temyat (Saudi Arabia), Duff (Ireland); Diouf (Senegal), Ronaldo (Brazil). Harry Pearson Player of the tournament Rivaldo. Great skill, terrible acting and the bandiest legs since Charlie Chaplin - a one-man circus. Biggest disappointment The free-kicks. How many times do we have to watch Roberto Carlos, Francesco Totti and co blast the ball into the stands before someone tells them to stop? Favourite game Brazil v Costa Rica. Watching it over breakfast revived dewy-eyed memories of Mexico '70. Golden goal Salif Diao for Senegal against Denmark. The kind of quickfire, sweeping move normally only seen in Roy of the Rovers. Quote of the tournament: "We sacrificed 1,000 soldiers to defend the South Koreans and one Korean has killed 70 million Turks" - Haluk Ulusoy, president of the Turkish FA, keeps a sense of perspective. My World Cup XI Kahn (Germany); Cafu (Brazil), Ferdinand (England), Hong Myung-bo (South Korea), Edmilson (Brazil); Emre (Turkey), Schneider (Germany), Wilmots (Belgium), Bouba Diop (Senegal); Rivaldo (Brazil), Ronaldo (Brazil). Vivek Chaudhary Player of the tournament Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) - an inspiration to his team and country who single-handedly epitomised the spirit shown in the tournament of the underdog. Biggest disappointment The atmosphere inside Japanese stadiums because of the way they were constructed. Too much space between the stands and the pitch. Favourite game Turkey against Senegal. A captivating, open, end-to-end contest that was littered with chances and skill. Golden goal Ronaldinho's free-kick against England. A superb piece of impromptu skill for a goal that was clearly intended. Quote of the tournament "Which group are India playing in and what are their chances of winning the World Cup?" - a South Korean talking to me. My World Cup XI Rustu (Turkey); Alpay (Turkey), Hong Myung-bo (South Korea), Ferdinand (England); Ronaldinho (Brazil), Inamoto (Japan), Ballack (Germany), Rivaldo (Brazil), Roberto Carlos (Brazil); Ronaldo (Brazil), Diouf (Senegal). Jon Brodkin Player of the tournament Ronaldo - not just for his goals but for confirming his recovery from serious knee problems. After the misery of the final of France 98, yesterday was just perfect. Biggest disappointment Rivaldo's behaviour in Brazil's first match against Turkey when he pretended to have been hit in the face to get an opponent sent off. Favourite game South Korea 2 Italy 1. For the sheer scale and drama of the upset, helped by South Korea's goals coming in the 88th and 117th minutes. Golden goal The header by Ahn Jung-hwan that knocked out Italy. Not the most beautiful but unbeatable for the emotion it provoked from Koreans and Italians. Quote of the tournament "I have no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian football" - the Perugia president Luciano Gaucci takes Ahn's winning goal in the best spirit. My World Cup XI Kahn (Germany); Puyol (Spain), Ferdinand (England), Ramelow (Germany), Roberto Carlos (Brazil); Duff (Ireland), Ronaldinho (Brazil), Bouba Diop (Senegal), Hasan Sas (Turkey); Diouf (Senegal), Ronaldo (Brazil).
This was the Daily Mirror's team of the tournament: THE World Cup has proven that attacking teams get the rewards they deserve. Let's hope England soon take the hint. Sven Goran Eriksson's side did very well to reach the quarter-finals, but were guilty of sitting back when a goal in front. Like Italy and Spain and the others who adopted that policy, they were eventually caught out. England have the ability to be major contenders in the near future and they have the players to make attacking gambles work. The side can learn from the attitude of South Korea and Turkey, teams who steadfastly refused to be negative. They can also look to the example of the champions Brazil, who showed how football is meant to be played. It is no surprise that they and fellow finalists Germany make up the bulk of my World Cup Dream Team: Goalkeeper: Oliver Kahn (Germany) He ended up on the losing side on Sunday but Kahn was untouchable between the posts throughout the tournament. Right-back: Cafu (Brazil) I have never seen anyone who can get up and down the flanks as quickly and effectively. His attacking play gives Brazil an extra dimension but he does not shirk his defensive duties and is rarely caught out. Left-back: Roberto Carlos (Brazil) Whatever anyone wants to say about his defensive limitations, you just would not want any other player ahead of him. The additional options his runs add to a team more than make up for any defensive weakness. Centre-back: Carsten Ramelow (Germany) He probably would not even have been in the tournament but for injuries, but made the position his own with some great displays. Centre-back: Alpay (Turkey) The Aston Villa man had a wonderful tournament and his uncompromising display at the heart of defence was a major reason why the Turks reached the last four. Right-midfield: Bernd Schneider (Germany) I watched his displays for Bayer Leverkusen with admiration last season and he carried his fine form into the World Cup. He can do it all and is always busy creating problems for his marker. Left-midfield: Damien Duff (Ireland) Burst on to the international stage brilliantly. He looks like someone who has just realised how much he is capable of. He took players on and beat them at will, and if he had been wearing a Brazilian shirt people would be talking about him as a global superstar. Central midfield: Gerardo Torrado (Mexico) He must be the most un-Mexican player I have ever seen. Torrado could walk straight into the Premiership and have an impact because of his exceptional work-rate. Central midfield: Michael Ballack (Germany) He is so powerful and so determined and proved his mental strength with the match-winning goal just minutes after that heartbreaking booking against South Korea. Striker: Rivaldo (Brazil) He did not have his best game in the final - yet Rivaldo can make his mark even when below par. Striker: Ronaldo (Brazil) How could you even think about leaving him out? The best player in the world - and he is not even fully fit.
This was the team of the tournament from The Independent: ANYONE PREDICTING a team of the tournament would have imagined that it would be dominated by the usual suspects. Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira, Juan Sebastian Veron, Gabriel Batistuta, Luis Figo, Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri, David Beckham et al, were pencilled in. Think again. All the above were rubbed out, most while the competition was still searching for meaning. Of other famous names most Brazilians made it, Michael Owen briefly threatened inclusion and Oliver Kahn was 23 minutes away from the first XI. He still deserves a place in the squad but, harsh as it is, can the man whose mistake settled the final really justify a place in a team of the tournament? The front three aside it was a difficult team to pick. There are several previously unknown names from Turkey and South Korea - though Hong Myung- Bo declared his class in the friendly with England. Rio Ferdinand is the one inclusion not to make the semi-finals, but he deserved to. Making up the rest of the squad, are some familiar faces like Raul and more from the game's hinterland such as Landon Donovan and El Hadji Diouf. Having shown his ability with Lens and in the African Nations' Cup Diouf was not, perhaps, such a surprise but Junichi Inamoto, late of Arsenal reserves, was the biggest revelation of them all. Damien Duff, Anders Svensson, Kazuyuki Toda and Marc Wilmots would probably have forced inclusion if their teams had gone beyond the second round. Guus Hiddink is the clear choice as coach holding off strong competition from Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil), Rudi Voller (Germany), Senol Gunes (Turkey), Bruno Metsu (Senegal) and Bruce Arena (US). GLENN MOORE'S TEAM OF THE WORLD CUP Starting XI (3-4-2-1) Marcos Brazil Linke Germany Hong Myung-Bo South Korea Ferdinand England Cafu Brazil Schnieder Germany Yoo Sang-Chul South Korea Hasan Sas Turkey Ronaldinho Brazil Rivaldo Brazil Ronaldo Brazil The rest of the squad: Rustu (Turkey), Kahn (Germany), Choi Sung- Yong (South Korea), Hierro (Spain), Roberto Carlos (Brazil), Fadiga (Senegal), Inamoto (Japan), Ballack (Germany), Basturk (Turkey), Donovan (United States), El Hadji Diouf (Senegal), Raul (Spain). Coach: Guus Hiddink (South Korea)
Some suggested ratings: Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (Germany) 7 games, 0 goals *** Brad Friedel (USA) 5 games, 0 goals ** Recber Rustu (Turkey) 7 games, 0 goals ** Marcos (Brazil) 7 games, 0 goals ** Lee Woon-Jae (South Korea) 7 games, 0 goals * Iker Casillas (Spain) 5 games, 0 goals * Full-back Cafu (Brazil) 7 games, 0 goals *** Roberto Carlos (Brazil) 6 games, 1 goal *** Francisco Arce (Paraguay) 4 games, 1 goal ** Ashley Cole (England) 5 games, 0 goals ** Carles Puyol (Spain) 4 games, 0 goals ** Lee Young-Pyo (South Korea) 5 games, 0 goals * Ferdinand Coly (Senegal) 5 games, 0 goals * Omar Daf (Senegal) 5 games, 0 goals * Thomas Helveg (Denmark) 4 games, 0 goals * Centre-back Rio Ferdinand (England) 5 games, 1 goal *** Hong Myung-Bo (South Korea) 7 games, 0 goals *** Sol Campbell (England) 5 games, 1 goal ** Fernando Hierro (Spain) 4 games, 2 goals ** Alpay (Turkey) 5 games, 0 goals ** Martin Laursen (Denmark) 4 games, 0 goals * Edmilson (Brazil) 6 games, 1 goal * Christoph Metzelder (Germany) 7 games, 0 goals * Central Midfield Michael Ballack (Germany) 6 games, 3 goals *** Yoo-Sang Chul (South Korea) 7 games, 1 goal ** Gerardo Torrado (Mexico) 4 games, 1 goal ** Nicky Butt (England) 4 games, 0 goals ** Claudio Reyna (USA) 4 games, 0 goals * Papa Bouba Diop (Senegal) 5 games, 3 goals * Dietmar Hamann (Germany) 6 games, 0 goals * Junichi Inamoto (Japan) 4 games, 2 goals HM John O’Brien (USA) 5 games, 1 goal HM Attacking Midfield Landon Donovan (USA) 5 games, 2 goals ** Marc Wilmots (Belgium) 4 games, 3 goals ** Anders Svensson (Sweden) 4 games, 1 goal * Yildiray Basturk (Turkey) 7 games, 0 goals * Wingers Hasan Sas (Turkey) 6 games, 2 goals *** Damien Duff (Ireland) 4 games, 1 goal ** Bernd Schneider (Germany) 7 games, 1 goal * Joaquin (Spain) 2 games, 0 goals * Dennis Rommedahl (Denmark) 4 games, 1 goal * Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria) 3 games, 0 goals HM Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal) 4 games, 1 goal HM Umit Davala (Turkey) 7 games, 2 goals HM Forward Ronaldinho (Brazil) 5 games, 2 goals *** Raul (Spain) 4 games, 3 goals *** Rivaldo (Brazil) 7 games, 5 goals *** El-Hadji Diouf (Senegal) 5 games, 0 goals * Ilhan Manzis (Turkey) 7 games, 3 goals * Striker Ronaldo (Brazil) 7 games, 8 goals *** Miroslav Klose (Germany) 7 games, 5 goals ** Jon-Dahl Tomasson (Denmark) 4 games, 4 goals ** Christian Vieri (Italy) 4 games, 4 goals ** Fernando Morientes (Spain) 5 games, 3 goals * Henrik Larsson (Sweden) 4 games, 3 goals * Robbie Keane (Ireland) 4 games, 3 goals * Henri Camara (Senegal) 4 games, 2 goals *
Yeah, could be. Not sure who might be closest to a * (maybe Juninho or Kleberson but like I said there's the issue of shared game time/impact). None as worthy as Inamoto I'd say anyway, so if there's an HM I suggest giving a * it'd be him (maybe the team of the tournament selections in your post above give slightly more scope for that even?). My memory has definitely faded but perhaps Henri Camara would be more deemed in the forwards than strikers.
What are the impressions of Hasan Sas? In which ('big') games was he good? (I tried to find back the dribbling thing, but can't see) Ideas on Casillas vs Buffon in this tournament? I saw Casillas had a prominent wrong catch vs Ireland. As suggested I personally think many goalkeepers played a prominent part (as a consequence, none were without faults or errors). I don't object against giving Casillas a rating and Sas three stars.
He was very good against China (a goal and two assists) and then good also against Brazil in the two games against them. In terms of international tournaments this was one of the worst I can remember for individual attacking performances. He was a player who came from nowhere (to me) and I ended up deeply impressed with. Sometimes with Buffon I think I'm such an admirer of him that I have to rein myself in. So he was decent in this tournament, but to a degree it is nice to recognise the others, particularly when he is likely to get credit for so many other seasons.