Confederations Cup Team Of The Round: Round 1

Carlo Garganese offers his picks for the best XI of Round 1 in the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Jun 16, 2009 12:30:18 PM

More On :  Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, United States
Fernando Torres gets Spain to a flying start in the Confederations Cup. His Hat-trick helped the team beat New Zealand 5-0

Formation: 3-4-3

Goalkeeper

Mohammed Kassid (Iraq) – Iraq earned a point during the tournament opener against hosts South Africa, but they certainly would have lost were it not for Kassid. A late flap nearly allowed Dikgacoi to steal a winner for Bafana Bafana but Kassid was key to his side prior to that moment, making a fine finger-tip save from Sibaya in the first half, and a one-on-one stop from Mashego towards the end.
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Defence

Sergio Ramos (Spain) – Admittedly, he was not tested much by a very ordinary New Zealand side, but Ramos still did not put a foot wrong defensively. The Real Madrid stopper also got forward to good effect down the other end, producing a number of interesting crosses.

Matthew Booth (South Africa) – Every time the big centre-back touched the ball, the home crowd shouted ‘Booooooo’, but not because they were booing him. Booth is a big favourite in his homeland, and he was undoubtedly the man-of-the-match during the dour 0-0 draw with Iraq. Won virtually everything in the air and let nothing pass him.

Joan Capdevila (Spain) – Up and down the left flank for the entire 90 minutes, Capdevila crossed the ball for Spain’s fourth goal that Fabregas dispatched. The Villarreal full-back overlapped Riera on many occasions, causing his New Zealand opposite number to be overloaded.

Midfield

Mohamed Abou Treika (Egypt) - A fantastically gifted player who delivered a pin-point cross for Egypt's opener against Brazil and went on a run worthy of Kaka before slotting through Zidan for their third. Was the mastermind behind every Egypt move.

Cesc Fabregas (Spain) – In the absence of the injured Andres Iniesta, Fabregas was given the task of supplying Villa and Torres, and he did not disappoint. The Arsenal man fed Torres for the early deadlock-breaker, while he tucked away Spain’s fourth with minimal fuss. Passing was spot-on, while he also covered more distance than any other player on the pitch.

Kaka (Brazil) - Proved to be the difference against Egypt, scoring the opener with a fine dribble and finish, and then deciding the match with an injury time penalty. Was by no means at his brilliant best in what was an under-par Brazil display, but he was without doubt his team's most threatening player.

Fabio Grosso (Italy) – Although Grosso played at left-back against the United States, it was impossible to leave either he or Spain's Capdevila out, so the Italian is pushed into a left midfield role. Grosso was outstanding from start to finish, up and down the wing like a train. The 31-year-old rarely fails to perform for the Azzurri.

Attack

Mohamed Zidan (Egypt) – Ran Brazil's Lucio ragged at times, showing great touch and skill all game. Finished both his chances with superb aplomb, and proved that if he can only show more consistency and a better mentality, he can be a really top-class forward.

Fernando Torres (Spain) – Tore the New Zealand defence to shreds during the rout in Rustenburg, scoring a hat-trick within the first 17 minutes. The Liverpool star was too hot to handle for the opposition, and he also provided the cross for the fifth goal by Villa.

Giuseppe Rossi (Italy) – Prior to Rossi's introduction as a substitute, Italy looked slow, old and predictable as they trailed ten-man USA. Minutes after stepping onto the pitch, the Azzurri were level courtesy of a Rossi wonder-strike. The Villarreal man completely changed the game as Italy went on to win 3-1, Rossi scoring another in injury time.

Kassid

   Sergio Ramos – Booth - Capdevila

Abou Treika - Kaka - Fabregas - Grosso

  Zidan – Torres - Rossi


Do you agree with those who made it into the Confederations Cup Team of Round 1? Who would make it into your XI? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think...

Carlo Garganese, Goal.com
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