FIFA World Cup 2014: Best and worst of World Cup
Here is the list of players who have been best and worst in the tournament
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-07-12 04:30 GMT
Rio de Janeiro: The 20th Fifa World Cup has already been declared an unqualified success, even though it has two matches to touch the finishing tape. After the final, everyone would be raving about the champions. Here we present a list of award winners and superlative performers. Fred and Hulk, be assured. You also have your place in the list.
Best player: James Rodriguez (Colombia): Few would have heard about the pint-sized playmaker before the World Cup. He has become a household name after scoring six goals including the tournament’s best in five matches.
Best coach: Jorge Sampaoli (Chile): Argentina may have political problems with Chile but an Argentine was one of the most popular men among Chileans during the World Cup. Sampaoli sent out a team that caught the eye of everyone with their attacking brio. After showing the exit door to Spain, Chile almost ended the hosts’ party in the Round of 16.
Best match: Belgium vs USA: The breathless pre-quarter-final brought the best out of both teams. Tim Howard’s heroics in goal are already a part of the American football folklore.
Best celebration: The delirious run of David Luiz after scoring a jaw-dropping free kick against Colombia exemplified the joy in finding the back of the net. Colombian group dance was the best team effort.
Most passionate coach: Miguel Herrera (Mexico): He celebrated Mexican goals with more gusto than his players. The colourful man was the toast of photographers.
Best fans: Chile: The energy and enthusiasm of Chilean fans would be a lasting memory of the tournament.
Most emotional team: Brazil: They cried unabashedly at the drop of a hat. National anthem, success in penalty shootout and Neymar injury gave them ample opportunities to turn on the tear motor.
Best Cinderella story: Costa Rica. After beating three former champions to top the group of death, the Costa Ricans edged out 2004 Euro winners to enter their first-ever World Cup quarter-final. They dragged the Dutch to the shootout before bowing out.
Best team: Germany: The champions in waiting?
Best substitute: Tim Krul (The Netherlands): After coming on exclusively for the shootout against Costa Rica, the Newcastle goalkeeper made two fine saves to take the Dutch to the quarter-finals. Wasn’t it a dream outing?
Best performance on debut: Goal-line technology: Without it, Karim Benzema’s goal against Honduras wouldn’t have stood. Fifa can take credit for its vision.
Worst player: Hulk (Brazil): After a close competition between Fred and Hulk, the latter wins something for the home team. Fred, at least, scored one goal while Hulk bumbled around without any returns.
Worst coach: Fabio Capello (Russia): The Italian is tarnishing the legacy of his success in club football through his pathetic performance in the World Cup. After England in 2010, it was the turn of Russia to suffer. The Russians should show Capello the door before the World Cup on home soil in 2018.
Most bizarre excuse: “Laser light directed on my goalkeeper from the stands prevented him from saving a goal against Algeria,” said Capello after Russia’s 1-1 result against Algeria in Group H.