The Potential Superstars Part II
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Extratime continues it's look at the potential break out stories and unsung heroes amongst the teams in this year’s World Cup focusing now on Groups C and D. Click to read part I of the series - The Potential Superstars
Algeria
Antar Yahia- Bochum
It took a monumental battle in Khartoum against bitter rivals Egypt but Algeria made it. Through sweat, tears and the blood drawn from bricks and broken glass the Desert Foxes held their nerve and prevailed. Regardless of their passage to South Africa they are rank outsiders in Group C because inconsistency is a massive problem for Rabah Saadane’s men. Wins against the Ivory Coast and African Nations Champions Egypt can’t hide the fact that they have only won two away games in seven years! Anyone who saw Ireland demolish them 3-0 at the RDS would know that their defence must get its act together fast. Bochum defender Antar Yahia is already a hero in Algeria after his spectacular volley against Egypt secured their place at South Africa. The current Algerian player of the year was the first player to make use of the change of FIFA statutes in 2003 and switch his footballing nationality. He got three goals in the qualifying stages his performances were an important factor in a defence that only conceded eight goals in 12 qualifying matches. With limited striking options up front it seems that Algerian hopes will rest on their defence.
England
Aaron Lennon- Spurs
When Fabio Capello decided to drop Theo Walcott from the England squad he placed a heavy burden on the shoulders of Spurs midfielder Aaron Lennon. An incredibly quick player, Lennon offers something different in the England attack and his ability to beat his man has elevated him above Walcott and Wright- Phillips in the midfield pecking order. His pace and trickery initially had pundits purring over him, but a loss of form saw him left out of the international scene for two years. However under Spurs boss Harry Redknapp he turned his career around and helped guide Spurs to the Champions League. His crossing and passing abilities have really improved this year but he is yet to score for England. Despite this he offers something different on the wings and his pace will be a real threat to opposition defenders.
Slovakia
Miroslav Stoch- Fenerbahce
The winger has recently joined Fenerbahce from Chelsea after an impressive season on loan at FC Twente where his ten league goals were a key factor in guiding Steve McClaren’s men to the title. A prodigiously talented youngster, Stoch made his debut for Slovakian hometown club FC Nitra at the age of 16 before joining Chelsea in 2006. He has largely been deployed on the left wing for Twente this season and has become renowned for bursting infield and unleashing powerful, precise shots with his right foot. His style thus mirrors that of Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben on the opposite flank, while his impressive goal tally owes much to his clear-headed finishing ability. With the talented duo of Man City winger Vladimir Weiss and Napoli’s Marek Hamsik playing alongside him expect a surprise or two from Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualification rivals.
USA
Michael Bradley- Borussia Monchengladbach
When Michael Bradley started to nail down a regular place in the USA team managed by his father it wasn’t to everyone’s liking. Taunts of “Daddy’s Boy” were often heard from the stands as some fans felt nepotism was at play but Bradley has well and truly shut up the boo boys. The Borussia Monchengladbach holding midfielder has caught the eye with his ultra competitive attitude as well as his careful distribution and well timed breaks advanced areas. He scored five goals in qualification and also netted against Egypt in last year’s Confederations Cup. If the USA’s are to repeat their fine performance on South African soil then Bradley’s work ethic, energy and versatility will be crucial.
Australia
Mark Bresciano – Palermo
The bulk of the goal scoring responsibility for Australia will be on the shoulders if Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill but don’t discount the set piece specialist, Mark Bresciano. The speedy winger has spent almost his entire senior career in Italy with the likes of Empoli, Parma and present employers Palermo. The 30-year-old can play all across the midfield, though is best deployed as an attacking midfielder or on the flanks. With over 50 caps for the Socceroos he is one of their more experienced players and despite some inconsistent performances for the national team the bald-headed midfielder is capable of producing some stinging shots from outside the area.
Germany
Mesut Ozil- Werder Bremen
The young Germany playmaker of Turkish extraction has proven to be a revelation since breaking into the national side. His subtlety, quick feet and dribbling skills have proven to be exactly what Germany needed. The Werder Bremen has really came on leaps and bounds in the last two seasons after Özil after leading Werder Bremen to the 2009 Europa League final and winning the European under-21 team championship with Germany. This season he has stepped up in the Werder Bremen team to replace Brazilian star Diego and his dribbling and passing abilities have led to him being heavily linked with a move to Man City.
Ghana
Asamoah Gyan – Rennes
Asamoah Gyan has already proven his big-match pedigree at the World Cup. He will go down in Ghana history as their first-ever goal scorer at the FIFA World Cup finals - against the Czech Republic in Cologne four years ago. He ended 2006 on a sour note after being sent off against Brazil in the last 16 but he is coming into South Africa on the back of a terrific season with French club Rennes scoring 13 goals in 29 games. He was also prolific at the African Nations Cup this year scoring three times for the Black Stars en route to the final. He has a prolific strike rate for the national team scoring twenty goals in 32 appearances. The defenders of Serbia, Germany and Australia have been warned.
Serbia
Milos Krasic – CSKA Moscow
In a team of extremely gifted players (their back four is probably the best in the tournament) it was incredibly tough to choose just one. In the end we decided for the man that makes Radomir Antic’s team tick going forward, Milos Krasic. For anyone who hasn’t seen the 25 year old in action in this years Champions League then boy are you in for a treat. The general consensus amongst football fans is that players who like to dribble and run at defenders are a dying breed. Thank god then for the wonderfully gifted Krasic who has been the catalyst for CSKA Moscow’s progression to this seasons Champions League quarter finals.
The list of his admirers for the shaggy haired wonder kid reads like a who’s who of European football with Bayern Munich, Manchester United, AC Milan and Juventus all interested. The Old Lady look like they are about to win the race for the prodigious talent who scored an absolute screamer at Old Trafford. Undoubtedly a superstar in the making and a good World Cup could be the springboard to launch his career into the stratosphere
Algeria
Antar Yahia- Bochum
It took a monumental battle in Khartoum against bitter rivals Egypt but Algeria made it. Through sweat, tears and the blood drawn from bricks and broken glass the Desert Foxes held their nerve and prevailed. Regardless of their passage to South Africa they are rank outsiders in Group C because inconsistency is a massive problem for Rabah Saadane’s men. Wins against the Ivory Coast and African Nations Champions Egypt can’t hide the fact that they have only won two away games in seven years! Anyone who saw Ireland demolish them 3-0 at the RDS would know that their defence must get its act together fast. Bochum defender Antar Yahia is already a hero in Algeria after his spectacular volley against Egypt secured their place at South Africa. The current Algerian player of the year was the first player to make use of the change of FIFA statutes in 2003 and switch his footballing nationality. He got three goals in the qualifying stages his performances were an important factor in a defence that only conceded eight goals in 12 qualifying matches. With limited striking options up front it seems that Algerian hopes will rest on their defence.
England
Aaron Lennon- Spurs
When Fabio Capello decided to drop Theo Walcott from the England squad he placed a heavy burden on the shoulders of Spurs midfielder Aaron Lennon. An incredibly quick player, Lennon offers something different in the England attack and his ability to beat his man has elevated him above Walcott and Wright- Phillips in the midfield pecking order. His pace and trickery initially had pundits purring over him, but a loss of form saw him left out of the international scene for two years. However under Spurs boss Harry Redknapp he turned his career around and helped guide Spurs to the Champions League. His crossing and passing abilities have really improved this year but he is yet to score for England. Despite this he offers something different on the wings and his pace will be a real threat to opposition defenders.
Slovakia
Miroslav Stoch- Fenerbahce
The winger has recently joined Fenerbahce from Chelsea after an impressive season on loan at FC Twente where his ten league goals were a key factor in guiding Steve McClaren’s men to the title. A prodigiously talented youngster, Stoch made his debut for Slovakian hometown club FC Nitra at the age of 16 before joining Chelsea in 2006. He has largely been deployed on the left wing for Twente this season and has become renowned for bursting infield and unleashing powerful, precise shots with his right foot. His style thus mirrors that of Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben on the opposite flank, while his impressive goal tally owes much to his clear-headed finishing ability. With the talented duo of Man City winger Vladimir Weiss and Napoli’s Marek Hamsik playing alongside him expect a surprise or two from Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualification rivals.
USA
Michael Bradley- Borussia Monchengladbach
When Michael Bradley started to nail down a regular place in the USA team managed by his father it wasn’t to everyone’s liking. Taunts of “Daddy’s Boy” were often heard from the stands as some fans felt nepotism was at play but Bradley has well and truly shut up the boo boys. The Borussia Monchengladbach holding midfielder has caught the eye with his ultra competitive attitude as well as his careful distribution and well timed breaks advanced areas. He scored five goals in qualification and also netted against Egypt in last year’s Confederations Cup. If the USA’s are to repeat their fine performance on South African soil then Bradley’s work ethic, energy and versatility will be crucial.
Australia
Mark Bresciano – Palermo
The bulk of the goal scoring responsibility for Australia will be on the shoulders if Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill but don’t discount the set piece specialist, Mark Bresciano. The speedy winger has spent almost his entire senior career in Italy with the likes of Empoli, Parma and present employers Palermo. The 30-year-old can play all across the midfield, though is best deployed as an attacking midfielder or on the flanks. With over 50 caps for the Socceroos he is one of their more experienced players and despite some inconsistent performances for the national team the bald-headed midfielder is capable of producing some stinging shots from outside the area.
Germany
Mesut Ozil- Werder Bremen
The young Germany playmaker of Turkish extraction has proven to be a revelation since breaking into the national side. His subtlety, quick feet and dribbling skills have proven to be exactly what Germany needed. The Werder Bremen has really came on leaps and bounds in the last two seasons after Özil after leading Werder Bremen to the 2009 Europa League final and winning the European under-21 team championship with Germany. This season he has stepped up in the Werder Bremen team to replace Brazilian star Diego and his dribbling and passing abilities have led to him being heavily linked with a move to Man City.
Ghana
Asamoah Gyan – Rennes
Asamoah Gyan has already proven his big-match pedigree at the World Cup. He will go down in Ghana history as their first-ever goal scorer at the FIFA World Cup finals - against the Czech Republic in Cologne four years ago. He ended 2006 on a sour note after being sent off against Brazil in the last 16 but he is coming into South Africa on the back of a terrific season with French club Rennes scoring 13 goals in 29 games. He was also prolific at the African Nations Cup this year scoring three times for the Black Stars en route to the final. He has a prolific strike rate for the national team scoring twenty goals in 32 appearances. The defenders of Serbia, Germany and Australia have been warned.
Serbia
Milos Krasic – CSKA Moscow
In a team of extremely gifted players (their back four is probably the best in the tournament) it was incredibly tough to choose just one. In the end we decided for the man that makes Radomir Antic’s team tick going forward, Milos Krasic. For anyone who hasn’t seen the 25 year old in action in this years Champions League then boy are you in for a treat. The general consensus amongst football fans is that players who like to dribble and run at defenders are a dying breed. Thank god then for the wonderfully gifted Krasic who has been the catalyst for CSKA Moscow’s progression to this seasons Champions League quarter finals.
The list of his admirers for the shaggy haired wonder kid reads like a who’s who of European football with Bayern Munich, Manchester United, AC Milan and Juventus all interested. The Old Lady look like they are about to win the race for the prodigious talent who scored an absolute screamer at Old Trafford. Undoubtedly a superstar in the making and a good World Cup could be the springboard to launch his career into the stratosphere
