The Hindu : The ten best stars

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 03, 2002

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Sport - Football

The ten best stars

Ronaldinho — AP

Yokohama July 2. They were the stars that lit up the World Cup — ten of the best:

Ronaldo (Brazil): The Brazilian striker was the player of the tournament. Top scorer with eight goals, he scored both goals in the final and found the net in six out of seven games. His comeback from four injury-wracked years brought universal acclaim and at 25 he could still be around for the 2006 finals in Germany. But will his operation-scarred knees hold out that long?

What he said: ``even in my wildest dreams I had never imagined that something like this could happen.''

Ronaldinho (Brazil): The revelation of the tournament. At 22, the little midfielder came of age at these finals and his stunning goal and assist in the 2-1 quarterfinal win over England will live long in the memory. Missed the semifinal through suspension, but was back at his probing best in the final. Could be a force in international football for years to come, and the European big clubs are lining up to sign him from Paris St Germain.

What he said: ``now for another two World Cups.''

Oliver Kahn (Germany): His costly mistake allowing Brazil's opening goal in the final only served to underline the immensity of his overall performance. His saves almost single-handedly dragged an efficient but limited German side into the final. Voted goalkeeper of the finals, he is also now the undisputed best stopper in the world, but at 33 he has probably played in his last World Cup finals.

What he said: ``it's normal to make a mistake — but it's ten times worse when it comes in the final. Nothing can console me about that — but life goes on.''

Michael Ballack (Germany): His absence in the final through suspension left Germany with few attacking options. He took command of a German midfield bereft of its star players due to injuries and stamped his authority on the side. He was also a potent threat in front of goal scoring the winners against the United States in the quarterfinals against South Korea in the semifinals. Rudi Voeller can build the side around him for Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Michael Ballack — AP

What he said:(after the semifinal red card): ``my first thoughts are bitterness and personally, I think this is a very stupid situation because my dream was to play in the final, but now it will not be.''

Hasan Sas (Turkey): He emerged as the driving force behind Turkey's unexpected drive to the semifinals combining ultra-fast breaks from midfield with incisive finishing. With one-time leading light Hakan Sukur out of sorts, he was the man the Turks looked to break down opposition defences as their own rearguard looked solid and reliable. Will be the mainstay of Turkey's Euro 2004 challenge starting with the qualifiers against England.

What he said: ``we have got a young team and we have shown that Turkey deserves to be playing at the highest level. Our opponents will fear us from now on.''

Ahn Jung-Hwan (South Korea): He epitomised the Korean storm that blew away Portugal, Italy and Spain before crashing into the German defensive wall in the semifinals. His golden goal against Italy will remain one of the abiding memories of the finals and his club Perugia's outrageous outburst against him for defeating Italy made headlines around the world. He finally proved he can perform on the world stage, but is unlikely to have inspirational coach Guus Hiddink directing him in the future.

What he said: ``I will find a better league and a better club.''

El-Hadji Diouf (Senegal): Diouf came to the World Cup with a reputation for trouble-making and left as one of the top four strikers of the entire tournament. His selection in the All-Star Team was a deserved reward for the peroxide blond 21-year-old, who led Senegal on a brilliant run to the quarterfinals on their World Cup debut, leaving France and Sweden in their wake.

Diouf did not actually score himself but his electric pace and pinpoint passing set up goals for teammates — and earned him a big-money move to English giants Liverpool which is set to be completed this week. His time on the world stage will surely come again.

What he said: (after the golden goal defeat to Turkey): ``it's tough, it's tough, it's tough.''

Hierro — AFP

Rio Ferdinand (England): Rio Ferdinand came of age in England's defence alongside Sol Campbell and he vowed to get over the pain of a quarterfinal exit to Brazil by winning a major international title in the next four years.

Pele rated him highly enough to put the defender in his own all-stars team.

What he said: ``we will definitely be in a final in the next four years — whether it's the European Championships in Portugal in two years or the World Cup in Germany.''

Fernando Hierro (Spain): Spain's captain and all-time top-scorer bowed out of international football with a series of commanding displays that foundered against South Korea in a controversial quarterfinal. Never let his country down through 13 years of duty winning 89 caps. He will concentrate on playing for European champions Real Madrid and Spain will have a massive hole to fill at the heart of their defence.

What he said: ``I will leave the scene a happy man. I've given my all for the colours of my country, and each selection has been an honour. It's nothing to do with my age, I just feel it's time to move on.''

Claudio Reyna — AFP

Claudio Reyna (United States): Sunderland midfielder Reyna proved a star in the World Cup on and off the field. On it, he drove his side demonically against Germany in a quarterfinal the Americans could have won as he sprayed passes around the field. Off the field, he impressed reporters with his linguistic capabilities, giving interviews in English, Spanish and German. Reyna, 28, was one of his side's top performers as they made the last eight.

What he said:: (after Korea beat Portugal): ``We owe them a big thank you — we're just happy to be through.'' — AFP

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