THE first seven days of the world Cup have provided plenty of thrills. With the help of two South African footballing fans; Nkareng Matshe and Tsepang Mailwane, Times Sport brings you the week’s round-up. The team of the week: Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria), Maicon (Brazil), Stephanie Grichting (Switzerland), Gabriel Heinze (Argentina), Phillipe Lahm (Germany), Ji Sung Park (South Korea), Bastian Schweinteiger (Germany), Lionnel Messi (Argentina), Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa), Gyan Asamoah (Ghana) and Thomas Muller (Germany). Best Goal: Whether Maicon meant to squeeze the ball in between North Korea keeper Myong Ri and the post from an acute angle or whether it was a fluke is unknown. What we know is that we might not see a goal like that ever. Best Match: Brazil 2-1 North Korea-No one would have expected North Korea to play so well against favourites Brazil. Although they did not win the game, the Koreans held their own and showed they were not fazed by their opposition’s stature in world football. Best Player: Schweinteiger: The 25-year old started his team’s attacks, usually collecting the ball from his defence and spreading it to the wings-a simple game but very effective. Best Youngster: Dede Ayew (Ghana)-Abedi Pele’s son thrilled the crowd in Ghana’s win over Serbia. And that he was able to speak confidently to the media (just like he did in Kigali last year) told of his immense maturity for someone aged just 20. Best Save: Honduras goal keeper Noel Valladares produced a magical save in their match against Chile, denying Waldo Ponce from close range when the Chilean looked poised to score. Memorable Moment: Siphiwe Tshabalala’s goal will remain etched in the memory of many, the Bafana Bafana player being the first man to score in a World Cup held in Africa for the first time. Best Celebration: John Paintsil (Ghana)-Holding a gigantic Ghana flag, the defender sprinted the length of Loftus pitch at the end of his country’s math against Serbia, one of the best images of sheer delight. Biggest Surprise: Spain losing the opening goal match to Switzerland. Not even the most trusted of soothsayers would have foreseen that one. Craziest Moment: England keeper Robert Green spilling the ball against the United will make the top 10 keepers’ bloopers for centuries to come. He is followed by Algeria’s and Nigeria’s goalies. Ends
