March 29, 2024, 06:43:21 AM

Author Topic: FIFA panel hails Rooney's World Cup performance  (Read 4245 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Sam

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 8244
  • Police face and dog heart.
    • View Profile
FIFA panel hails Rooney's World Cup performance
« on: September 03, 2010, 06:04:50 AM »
FIFA panel hails Rooney's World Cup performance
By Soccernet staff


Despite coming under fierce criticism for failing to set the World Cup alight, Wayne Rooney has received a commendation from FIFA for his performances in South Africa, and was named as one of England's three best players at the tournament.

Having been crowned the PFA Footballer of the Year for a series of scintillating displays for Manchester United during the 2009-10 season, the 24-year-old striker was expected to be England's talisman at the finals.

But Rooney failed to find the net in South Africa and was lambasted for his surprisingly uninfluential performances and for openly criticising fans who booed the team following their dismal 0-0 draw with Algeria.

However, FIFA's 16-man technical study group reached a somewhat different conclusion, singling out Rooney for praise as a "hard-working, energetic striker; [who] worked hard for the team; good technique", nominating the goalless forward as one of England's three players of the tournament.

The study group, which included former France and Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier and the former Scotland boss Andy Roxburgh, also hailed the England team as having "strong, hard-working players" whose "aerial strength [was] used effectively at set pieces in defence".

England captain Steven Gerrard was hailed as the Three Lions' most influential player, with the group describing him as "a dynamic midfielder with good vision and technique, who linked defence and attack". Ashley Cole was commended as the third of England's "outstanding players", described as "a competitive left-back with good technique, [who] made forceful attacking runs".

FIFA's report is sure to raise a few eyebrows, though there can be little arguing with their assessment of World Cup winners Spain, who were praised for being "a complete team, arguably contenders for team of the century."
Faster than a speeding pittbull
Stronger than a shot of ba-bash
Capable of storming any fete


 

1]; } ?>