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World Cup Debate: Team Of The Week - European Qualifiers
Ewan Macdonald picks out the best performers after Wednesday's action in the UEFA qualifying groups for the 2010 World Cup...
02-Apr-2009 6:41:00 PM
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa is one step closer for European sides after a thrilling set of matches on Wednesday.
Here we find the top performers who helped their team to a positive result or, in some cases, played well despite an unfortunate scoreline.
Many of the players come from the larger countries, such as England and France, but there is also a place in the sun for a few surprises from far-flung parts of the Old Continent.
The eleven is as follows in an attacking 3-4-3 formation, with seven substitutes afterwards:
GOALKEEPER
Craig Gordon (Scotland) - The Scots rode their luck against Iceland, and it was largely down to the Sunderland bit-part man that they emerged with all three points.
DEFENDERS
Sagna (France) - One of three Frenchmen who stood out on an otherwise disappointing evening against Lithuania. Not for the first time did Bacary get his teammates out of jail.
Pique (Spain) - Not at fault for the goal conceded by the Furia Roja, Gerard Pique is starting to grow into his international role.
Per Mertesacker (Germany) - A defensive wall against a Wales side improved from the weekend. Germany's recent clean sheet record could continue with his involvement.
Two's Up | Gerard Pique celebrates Spanish supremacy
MIDFIELDERS
Franck Ribery (France) - Yes, we have him on the wrong flank, but such is his international form that you could probably put him in goal and still see him as man-of-the-match. A consummate wing performance and a goal, too, against Lithuania.
Timofei Kalachev (Belarus) - Belarus inflicted upon Kazakhstan a 5-1 defeat in Almaty, and it was largely down to the Russia-based midfielder that they were able to do so.
Ivenlin Popov (Bulgaria) - At the age of just 21, the Litex Lovech man was impeccable against Cyprus, quite aside from having opened the scoring.
Albert Riera (Spain) - La Furia Roja needed width in Istanbul and the Liverpool man duly delivered, also chipping in with a goal.
Wing And A Prayer | Ribery's a winger of the old school
FORWARDS
Wayne Rooney (England) - The Three Lions' Golden Boy is just getting better and better on the global stage. If England are to avoid what is now habitual major tournament disappointment, it's going to be down to 'Wazza.'
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia) - This young Bosnian forward scored twice early on to sink Belgium for the second time in a week. If he keeps this form up then Wolfsburg are going to struggle to hold onto him.
Arjen Robben (Netherlands) - The Real Madrid man returns for his second appearance in this team this week. Another superb attacking showing.
Leap Of Faith | Wayne Rooney soars too high for Ukraine
Substitutes
Buffon (Italy); Diarra (France), Ballack (Germany); Smolarek (Poland), Hunt (Ireland), Hoffer (Austria), Kuyt (Netherlands).
Do you agree with these players? Disagree? Let us know your thoughts!
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com
Here we find the top performers who helped their team to a positive result or, in some cases, played well despite an unfortunate scoreline.
Many of the players come from the larger countries, such as England and France, but there is also a place in the sun for a few surprises from far-flung parts of the Old Continent.
The eleven is as follows in an attacking 3-4-3 formation, with seven substitutes afterwards:
Gordon
Sagna - Pique - Mertesacker
Ribery - Kalachev - Popov - Riera
Rooney - Dzeko - Robben
GOALKEEPER
Craig Gordon (Scotland) - The Scots rode their luck against Iceland, and it was largely down to the Sunderland bit-part man that they emerged with all three points.
DEFENDERS
Sagna (France) - One of three Frenchmen who stood out on an otherwise disappointing evening against Lithuania. Not for the first time did Bacary get his teammates out of jail.
Pique (Spain) - Not at fault for the goal conceded by the Furia Roja, Gerard Pique is starting to grow into his international role.
Per Mertesacker (Germany) - A defensive wall against a Wales side improved from the weekend. Germany's recent clean sheet record could continue with his involvement.
Two's Up | Gerard Pique celebrates Spanish supremacy
MIDFIELDERS
Franck Ribery (France) - Yes, we have him on the wrong flank, but such is his international form that you could probably put him in goal and still see him as man-of-the-match. A consummate wing performance and a goal, too, against Lithuania.
Timofei Kalachev (Belarus) - Belarus inflicted upon Kazakhstan a 5-1 defeat in Almaty, and it was largely down to the Russia-based midfielder that they were able to do so.
Ivenlin Popov (Bulgaria) - At the age of just 21, the Litex Lovech man was impeccable against Cyprus, quite aside from having opened the scoring.
Albert Riera (Spain) - La Furia Roja needed width in Istanbul and the Liverpool man duly delivered, also chipping in with a goal.
Wing And A Prayer | Ribery's a winger of the old school
Wayne Rooney (England) - The Three Lions' Golden Boy is just getting better and better on the global stage. If England are to avoid what is now habitual major tournament disappointment, it's going to be down to 'Wazza.'
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia) - This young Bosnian forward scored twice early on to sink Belgium for the second time in a week. If he keeps this form up then Wolfsburg are going to struggle to hold onto him.
Arjen Robben (Netherlands) - The Real Madrid man returns for his second appearance in this team this week. Another superb attacking showing.
Leap Of Faith | Wayne Rooney soars too high for Ukraine
Substitutes
Buffon (Italy); Diarra (France), Ballack (Germany); Smolarek (Poland), Hunt (Ireland), Hoffer (Austria), Kuyt (Netherlands).
Do you agree with these players? Disagree? Let us know your thoughts!
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com
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