|
|
Olympics Team of the Tournament: Corona & Dos Santos lead the way for Mexico
Aug 12, 2012 11:46:00 AM
The North Americans were the surprise winners of the London 2012 tournament, but the competition showcased a myriad of stars from all corners of the globe
Mexico are Olympic gold medallists in the men’s football tournament, having seen off Brazil after two weeks of remarkable competition that will be remembered for the shock results as much as it will excellent play. Here Goal.com rounds up the XI outstanding performers from the tournament.It’s only fitting to start with a member of the winning side, with goalkeeper Jose Corona forming the base of the Mexico team that performed so superbly. When required, the controversial over-age pick showed terrific reflexes, making several crucial saves and thoroughly justifying his choice ahead of Ajaccio’s Guillermo Ochoa.
The defence has a strongly Asian feel, with Maya Yoshida the outstanding Japan defender as they enjoyed a watertight competition before coming up against the eventual winners. South Korea also had a formidable record at the back, Suk-Young Yoon was a major contributor. From the host nation, Steven Caulker enjoyed a fine tournament. Danilo rounds off the defenders, after several exciting showings for Brazil.
Ki Sung-Yueng was perhaps the competition's outstanding central midfielder, producing his best when it mattered most for South Korea, for whom he was a star. Further forward in the midfield, Oscar was an instrumental force in building Brazil’s attacks, showing why Chelsea were so willing to spend so much money to capture his signature. Tottenham’s Giovani dos Santos, meanwhile, was a potent force for Mexico, while Yuki Otsu was arguably Japan’s outstanding player of a tournament they will reflect on as being highly successful.
In attack, the contribution of Leandro Damiao to Brazil’s run to the silver medal was outstanding. He struck six goals and provided much of the offensive platform for his side. Alongside him is one of the breakout stars of the competition in the form of Moussa Konate, who was so inspirational for Senegal. Indeed, his efforts in the African nation’s first two games earned him Goal.com’s World Player of the Week award, but he was outstanding throughout and registered on five occasions.
| CORONA |
 |
| MEXICO |
| Games: 6 Conceded: 4 |
| DANILO | YOSHIDA | CAULKER |
YOON |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| BRAZIL |
JAPAN | TEAM GB |
SOUTH KOREA |
| Games: 4 Goals: 1 |
Games: 6 Goals: 1 |
Games: 4 Goals: 0 |
Games: 6 Goals: 0 |
| KI |
 |
| SOUTH KOREA |
| Games: 6 Goals: 0 |
| DOS SANTOS |
OSCAR | OTSU |
 |
 |
 |
| MEXICO | BRAZIL | JAPAN |
| Games: 5 Goals: 3 |
Games: 6 Goals: 1 | Games: 6 Goals: 3 |
| DAMIAO | KONATE |
 |
 |
| BRAZIL |
SENEGAL |
| Games: 5 Goals: 6 |
Games: 4 Goals: 5 |
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Inside Goal.Com
-
Ancelotti’s departure leaves PSG in a pickle
With the Italian bound for Spain, the Ligue 1 champions face an uncertain immediate future
-
Cartoon: Bayern & Dortmund given licence to thrill
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
-
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind
-
-
Why Real Madrid are appointing Ancelotti
After the decision to dispense with Jose Mourinho was announced on Monday, the Spanish side have set their sights on the PSG coach, and he looks like the ideal man for the job
