Injury Time World Cup Awards

And so the greatest sporting event in the world comes to an end for another four years before we head to Brazil in 2014. Overdue congratulations to Spain and unfortunate commiserations to the Dutch. But what have we got from this tournament? It’s time for the Injury Time World Cup Awards!

Player of the Tournament

Diego Forlan (Uruguay)

He won the golden ball, and rightly so. The target man finished equal top-scorer and also chipped in with three assists. He was the main man for Uruguay and had his last-minute free kick been a little lower against the Germans, he would have walked away with the Golden Boot too.

Goal of the Tournament

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (Netherlands)

His rocket strike against Forlan’s Uruguay set the tone for the Dutch’s qualification for the final. Now retired after an illustrious career, whilst he’ll be disappointed, he’ll be thrilled with the final goal of his career.

Find of the Tournament

Thomas Mueller (Germany)

His name was not known to many worldwide pre-World Cup but now people are sitting up to take notice. He was instrumental in Germany’s campaign and his knack to be in the right place at the right time and finishing ability is amazing under the age of 21.

Coach of the Tournament

Joachim Loew (Germany)

He’s still not assured of his job after the World Cup as amazing as it is. He took a team that not many fancied pre-Cup and turned them into the ‘new Netherlands’ of European football, playing the most expansive game of counter-attacking football.

Best Match of the Tournament

Germany 3 def. Uruguay 2 (3^rd Place Play-Off)

Some say this game isn’t required, but time and time again, it proves to be one of the most free-flowing games of the World Cup. It was no different this time as the two teams played out a highly entertaining game which saw some great football all round and plenty of goals. This fixture averages more than four goals over all the World Cup’s it has featured in.

Surprise Pack of the Tournament

New Zealand

Imagine if someone came to you in May this year and told you that New Zealand would be the only undefeated team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Well that’s exactly what happened and not only that, but they finished above previous champions, Italy. Courageous team spirit and tactical awareness perhaps saw them unlucky to not make the round of 16. Oh, and how’s this for a stat; Shane Smeltz of NZ who plays in Australia’s A-League (soon to be playing in China) scored more goals in this World Cup than Wayne Rooney + Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi put together! Ridiculous! Sign him up Madrid!

Better Luck Next Time Award

Wayne Rooney (England) + Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

We just couldn’t separate the two. Rooney was arguably worse – never showing up in any of England’s games. I’ve even diverted to starting Defoe/Crouch and Agbonglahor on my PS3. Too add insult, Rooney was later named the ugliest footballer in the world! Ronaldo meanwhile, again went missing on the biggest stage and he’ll probably only have one more chance at best to add the one medal missing from his cabinet.

How Did He Miss That? Award

Yakubu Ayegbeni (Nigeria)

It was beyond unbelievable. In a tense game with South Korea, where a win would send them through, Nigeria trailed the Asians, 2-1. Then, out of nothing  a squared ball found Yakubu free as a bird directly in front of an open goal with keeper beaten. The Everton striker though somehow pushed his shot wide with the goal gaping. And he is paid hundreds of thousands of dollars per week…