World Cup 2010

World Cup Special: Team Of The Weekend

Goal.com scans the globe for the best performers from last weekend's World Cup qualifiers...

Sep 7, 2009 5:08:27 PM

2009 Confederations Cup Final: Brazil's Kaka scoops the player of the tournament award while Luis Fabiano receives the Golden Boot

Related Links

Best XI

Formation: 4-4-2

GOALKEEPER

Waleed Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)

The Saudi goalkeeper came into his own in the final minutes of the AFC play-off first leg against Bahrain. He made two spectacular saves from substitute striker Jaycee John late on to keep his side in the hunt for a showdown against New Zealand. Bahrain dominated the contest but were unable to find a way past the inspired Abdullah.

DEFENDERS

Efrain Juarez (Mexico)

The versatile UNAM Pumas prospect was named as a right midfielder for his country's 3-0 over Costa Rica in Saprissa but is slotted in at right-back in this formation. He worked the flanks of the synthetic surface well, chipping in with an assist and an energetic showing.

Cristian Chivu (Romania)

The best player on the field for the 1-1 draw against France on Saturday. Inter's versatile defender showed exactly why he is highly regarded as he put in a world class performance. Made countless blocks as France flowed forward, intercepted a ton of passes and made innumerable headers.

Gerard Pique (Spain)

The Barcelona stopper managed to get himself on the scoresheet in the 5-0 rout against Belgium. The Red Devils simply could not penetrate the Spanish rearguard, of which Pique was an imperious component.

Juan Manuel Vargas (Peru)

Touted as a potential future captain of the Rojiblanca, the Fiorentina man put in a sterling shift against Uruguay on Saturday. Tireless in his endeavour and was the driving force behind Peru's second win of the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.

MIDFIELDERS

Michael Essien (Ghana)

The Black Stars booked their place at next year's World Cup by virtue of their 2-0 win over Sudan. Chelsea's Essien was the catalyst and fulcrum for his side and added gloss to a fine individual performance with a well taken goal.

Abdul Kader Keita (Cote D'Ivoire)

The Galatasaray winger was at his best as les Elephants triumphed convincingly against Burkina Faso. Keita scored one, laid on another and prompted the foul which allowed Didier Drogba to curl a free-kick home. The former Lyon man is making his case to become one of the west African team's most important individuals.

Kaka (Brazil)

It was a sensational performance from the Real Madrid superstar which helped his side to a convincing win over Argentina. His wonderfully weighted through-ball split the Argentina defence to set up Luis Fabiano for Brazil's third and crucial goal. He had also played a part in the second during a tenacious and influential display.

David Silva (Spain)

The Valencia attacker was man of the match as his country tore Belgium to shreds. Took his first goal absolutely brilliantly after an energetic beginning to the game. His second? Even better. A wonderful performance even aside from those strikes.

FORWARDS

Zlatan Muslimovic (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

The PAOK forward continued his phenomenal international goalscoring form in Bosnia & Herzegovina's vital away win in Armenia. The Zlatni Ljiljani face Turkey on Wednesday in a do-or-die contest that is shaping up to be one of the ties of the round. They will need Muslimovic to again be at his best.

Luis Fabiano (Brazil)

The Sevilla striker can legitimately claim to be one of the planet's hottest front-men at the moment. His scoring rate at both club and international level remains second-to-none. He pilfered a cheeky first against Argentina before completing a sumptuous brace with the deftest of touches.

Honourable mentions:

Carlos Kameni, Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)
Lucio (Brazil)
Arda Turan, Tuncay Sanli (Turkey)
Iulian Apostol (Romania)
Dennis Rommedahl (Denmark)
Landon Donovan (USA)
James McFadden (Scotland)
Adel Taarabt (Morocco)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Kyle Lafferty (Northern Ireland)
David Suazo (Honduras)
Didier Drogba (Cote D'Ivoire)
Giovani Dos Santos (Mexico)
David Villa (Spain)

Goal.com

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!