What are the "unsung heroes" of the competition for you? Those players that do the hard work, keep their team going, but be it because they are not strikers or take little part in attack, or just because they are not so well known, they are not the first to be mentioned as the heroes of their team? Here is my list, provisional as it is: USA - Michael Bradley. Yes, all eyes have been on Donovan, who has earned deserved praise. But Mike was the motor behind the team, running all 90 minutes and always helping with defense, build-up and attack. As the workhorse, he's tried his best in every game, silencing his detractors. Portugal - Fabio Coentrao. The world may be watching Cristiano Ronaldo, but Fabio is the guy pushing his team forward and starting the best chances. Not to mention stopping any opposite winger/wingback on the left. He's been clean at tackling, covering and hustling the ball. Quality guy. Brazil - Elano. The press may talk of Kaka and Fabiano, of Robinho and Maicon, but Elano has been the tactical master of the attacking midfield and has done more than Kaka for the Scratch. His positioning was vital in the win versus North Korea, and once again he was the best player versus Cote d'Ivoire. Japan - Daisuke Matsui. The focus may be on Honda and the forward line, but they got their balls from somewhere and thanks to the efforts of one man: Matsui. He's been a wall in contention and a Xavi in the passing. Japan wouldn't be much without him. Uruguay - Alvaro Pereira. This guy has been a monster, doubling up as a defender and midfielder, even moving to the centre presciently when the play needed him to be there. In a team with basically no midfield, he was filled every space on the left and made of that side the most dangerous of his team. Slovakia - Zdeno Štrba. The defensive mid was not widely expected to make it to the finals. Instrumental in qualification, Miroslav Karhan was expected to play the DM role during the cup. Injury took him out, and the veteran Štrba, who's near retirement, came from his Greek club as a dubious replacement. The experienced man has proven his worth so far.
Germany - Sami Khedira Though the press might be swooning over Oezil, Schweinsteiger and Mueller, Khedira has been absolutely brilliant this tournament. His off the ball movement and anticipation and cutting off opposition passes has been just great. He has also covered the maximum distance in 2 of the 3 games.
New Zealand - Ryan Nelsen. He didn't have a particularly noteworthy tournament individually, and guys like Winston Reid and Mark Paston got the praise. But anyone who has followed the All-Whites knows that they are not half the team without their captain that they are when he's on the field. Particularly in defence. As a leader he's immense. Australia - David Carney. Guys like Brett Holman got the accolades, but Carney was one of the few players in the side extremely solid all tournament. He just quietly got the job done out on the wing - doing it so well that everybody forgot about him.
Chile - Gary Medel - Most Boca Juniors and Chile fans knew how good he was but overall he's mostly unknown. He's been excellent so far at CB for Chile and is going to be a big loss when facing the Brazilians. Bradley as well.
+1 for Medel, the guy is a very very good defender. Can't believe he isn't in Europe yet, but that will almost certainly change soon.
And to think imo he's an even better midfielder. He gets up and scores goals as well. Boca were suppose to have him on loan for another year depending on his performance in this cup. So far it doesn't seem likely.
Argentina - Messi - He didn't get on the scoresheet, but has been instrumental in almost all the attacking moves made by Argentina. Thrice, he hit the post and two of those rebounds resulted in goals for other strikers. Argentina are a collection of talented individuals, and Messi is the glue that has been holding them together and giving them a semblance of a cohesive team.
Never thought you'd hear that Messi was an UNSUNG hero, just a hero of the regular variety, but you are dead on. In fact all of Higuain's goals can be attributed to Messi in some shape or form, directly or indirectly.
Korea Republic - Kim Jung-woo - His performance has been quiet solid if not the best. The first class private showed great work rate and reasonably did good job of closing down opponents' passing lanes at midfield without much help from fellow central midfielder Ki Sung-yueng during the group stage. Can't imagine what how our midfield and defense would become even more vulnerable without his presence.
Ghana - John Mensah. He's been the reason why the Ghanaian defense has looked so solid and by far the best of all the African teams. Guy only lets either the ball or the player go through, and his tackling is perhaps the best on the Cup so far, consistently going for the ball and missing the man. He's been good with Sunderland but plagued by injury. In this cup, however, he has stepped it up to the next level and is looking as one of the five best CBs in the planet.
Carmona - Chile. Chile's Mascherano...and as Bielsa calls him, 'one of the most underrated players in the world'. How is he still playing in Reggina and not a Serie A team is beyond me (although I've heard Lazio and Palermo are interested). Chile clearly missed him against Spain...this is the guy that cleans the back of Chile's constant attack and pressure. He runs like he has 4 lungs and covers the pitch extremely well.