Our First XI
There are plenty of awards given out at the FIFA World Cup but none are as highly prized as a spot in the aljazeera.net World Cup Fantasy Team.
Here is our side, in a 4-4-2 formation
Goalkeeper
Ricardo
Earned his spot his heroics against England and apart from a few blushes in the playoff had an excellent tournament.
Defenders
Philip Lam (GER)
A tremendous discovery who scored the opening goal and added a lot to the German side in both attack and defence.
Fabio Cannavaro (ITA)
Proved once and for all to be the world’s best defender, the first man picked.
Lillian Thuram (FRA)
Hard not to use the “like fine wine” cliché for this Frenchman, therefore he gets better with age, just like fine wine.
Gianluca Zambrotta (ITA)
Another Italian in defence, but one who offered lots in attack including a screamer of a goal against Ukraine.
Midfielders
Franck Ribery (FRA)
Refreshing to see a player so keen to back his abilities with the ball. His first goal against Spain reinvigorated the entire French campaign.
Zinedine Zidane (FRA)
As sublime as ever, the dominant midfielder of the tournament.
Michael Essien (GHA)
Fewer appearances than others, but showed he is more than just a wrecking ball, a lot more.
Maxi Rodriguez (ARG)
His tournament finished in farce but his actions on the pitch got him the nod in our side.
Forwards:
Fernando Torres (ESP)
Had plenty of admirers before the tournament and his list of suitors will have got a lot longer after some very impressive performances up front.
Didier Drogba (CIV)
In a tournament where few strikers actually dominated a game, the Ivorian striker imposed himself on both matches he featured in and showed some a side to his character rarely seen when he wears the blue of Chelsea.
Never afraid to use the crystal ball we have also predicted a team of the 2010 World Cup, assuming they still field 11 players then.
Keep it safe.
Goalkeeper: Richard Kingson (GHA)
Defenders: Arthur Boka (CIV), Philippe Senderos (SUI), Lucas Neill (AUS), Cicinho (BRA)
Midfielders: Maksim Kalinichenko (UKR), Tim Cahill (AUS), Tomas Rosicky (CZE), Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)
Strikers: Lionel Messi (ARG), Robinho (BRA)