07/01/2002
Some of the superlatives and gaffes of World Cup 2002:
•
Brightest new stars: Every World Cup creates new names. Industrious
Senegalese striker El-Hadji Diouf will be heard from again. Ditto for
Turkey's goalkeeper Rustu Recber and Americans Landon Donovan and
DaMarcus Beasley. The world now knows more about Ronaldinho, who played
last year in relative obscurity in the French First Division.
•
Worst reward: Brazil will have to qualify for the 2006 World Cup; FIFA has
dropped the long-standing automatic berth for winners. Brazil struggled
in South American qualifying for this tournament.
•
Best way to finish: Well-regarded Italian referee Pierluigi Collina
commanded Sunday's final with aplomb, stamping authority early then
handling most other matters with a smile. It helped smooth over a World
Cup dampened by officiating that was far from faultless.
•
Best reason to cheer for Germany 2006: Most of the games at Korea-Japan
began at 1:30 a.m., 4:30 a.m. or 6:30 a.m. Four years from now, the
games will probably start at the more manageable times of 7:30 a.m.,
10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. (the start times for most games in France in 1998.)
•
Coach to watch moving forward: What team would mind having brainy,
gentlemanly Guus Hiddink as its boss? Hiddink has overseen successful
club teams and now has directed two World Cup teams to the semifinals
(the Netherlands in 1998 and South Korea in 2002.) Who knows where he'll
wind up in 2006? The United States, perhaps, if Bruce Arena tests other
waters?
•
Teams to watch in 2006: Most of England's important players will remain
young enough to make a difference in 2006, including David Beckham,
Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole. And Germany
has some fine young players. Michael Ballack and Co. will make host
Germany one of the favorites.
•
Biggest coaching goof: Turkey's Senol Gunes will have to answer for his
loyalty to unhealthy striker Hakan Sukur. Backup Ilhan Mansiz was always
dangerous when inserted – and might have made a difference for a
balanced, talented Turkish team had he started in the semifinals against
Brazil.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Pos.
Player
Country
Goalkeeper
Oliver Kahn
Germany
Defender
Ozalan
Alpay
Turkey
Defender
Hong Myung
Bo
South Korea
Defender
Carsten
Ramelow
Germany
Defender
Tony Sanneh
United
States
Midfielder
Roberto
Carlos
Brazil
Midfielder
Hasan Sas
Turkey
Midfielder
Paul
Scholes
England
Forward
El-Hadji
Diouf
Senegal
Forward
Rivaldo
Brazil
Forward
Ronaldo
Brazil