Best Player of the Group:
Group A - Diego Forlan, Uruguay - My man crush on Diego Forlan has been cultivated through the first three games into full on admiration. He controlled pace and tempo in all three group stage matches and had one of the goals of the tournament.
Group B - Lionel Messi, Argentina - Agreeing with the majority here. Even though he hasn't put one in the net, Messi has been brilliant. His runs/passes have set up most of the opportunities for Los Albicelestes.
Group C - Tim Howard, United States - Far and away the Man of the Match against England, and it was his presence of mind (and not to mention his cannon of an arm) that set up the famous goal that put the Yanks through.
Group D - Mesut Özil, Germany - One of the best young players of the tournament so far. He has made some great runs and some slick passes. The winner against Ghana is a goal that few in football can make. This kid has a bright future.
Group E - Keisuke Honda, Japan - Honda showed flashes in the Champions League with CSKA Moscow, but his performance thus far has the soccer world at full rapture. This stunning goal against Denmark has cemented his reputation as one of the world's preeminent free kick artists.
Group F - Mark Paston, New Zealand - Paston was rock solid in goal for a New Zealand side that punched above its weight. The Wellington Phoenix player was tested with a barrage of shots in the last half hour against Italy and he passed with flying colors.
Group G - Maicon, Brazil - Maicon was all over the field in all three Group G games for a Brazil squad that has not shown its full potential yet. Was his goal against North Korea intended to be a cross? I say we stop asking and just admire one of the better strikes we've seen this year.
Group H - David Villa, Spain - The legend continues. If not for the missed PK against Honduras, he'd be the pole sitter for the Golden Boot heading into the Round of 16.
Biggest Disappointment:
Group A - France - Although I picked Les Bleus to make it to the quarterfinals, I have to say that I have enjoyed the French meltdown. We all knew this team was dysfunctional, but I don't think anyone imagined things to get to this level.
Group B - Sani Kaita, Nigeria - After Keita's red card, which is something you would see in U-10's, things just fell apart for Nigeria. (Pun 100% Intended)
Group C - John Terry, England - Terry has been unremarkable in a position where England needs to step up. Trying and then failing to stage a coup against his coach is the cherry on top of this shit sundae.
Group D - Serbia's Strikeforce - I expected bigger things from the Serbian attack, especially against the vulnerable back lines of Australia and Ghana. Why they became so passive when Germany went down to 10 men is something I'll never figure out.
Group E - Jon Dahl Tomasson, Denmark - Tomasson had easily the worst individual performance of the group stage against Japan. The 33 year old seemed desperate to become Denmark's top all time scorer and it cost his team dearly. An embarrassing way for a Danish legend to go out.
Group F - Daniele De Rossi, Italy - De Rossi literally gave away goals to Slovakia. His performance in the game that mattered most for the Azzurri was emplematic of the defending champion's performance as a whole in this tournament.
Group G - Ivory Coast - I expected more fire and motivation for a team that was heavily hyped heading into the tournament. Then again, this is a side lead by Sven-Goran Eriksson. (I pray that he doesn't take the Fulham post if Hodgson leaves for Liverpool.)
Group H - Vicente del Bosque, Spain - I can't blame Fernando Torres and Humberto Suazo, two of the more disappointing players in this group, because both are coming off injuries that have prevented them from playing a full 90 minutes in months so my disappointing figure is the Spanish skipper. In a group where goal differential was life or death, del Bosque seemed content to just pass the ball around, a la Arriaga and Arriaga II.
Funniest Moment:
The intensity of Fabio Capello
Best XI: (4-5-1)
GK - Tim Howard, USA
D - Diego Lugano, Uruguay
D - Ricardo Carvalho, Portugal
D - Lucio, Brazil
D - Nadir Belhadj, Algeria
MF - Keisuke Honda, Japan
MF - Mesut Özil, Germany
MF - Landon Donovan, USA
MF - Lionel Messi, Argentina
MF - Diego Forlan, Uruguay
ST - David Villa, Spain
Quick Round of 16 Predictions:
Uruguay over South Korea (I know I am posting this after the completion of this match, but I had Uruguay all along, trust me)
USA over Ghana
Netherlands over Slovakia
Brazil over Chile (in extra time)
Germany over England (I think this one is destined for PKs)
Argentina over Mexico
Paraguay over Japan
Spain over Portugal (PKs)
Enjoy the games, everyone!
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