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#Post#: 67--------------------------------------------------
Five Keepers Who Have Impressed At The World Cup
By: kingrollex Date: July 10, 2014, 4:56 pm
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This summer’s World Cup has been full of
goals and drama, but the men charged with
stopping the goals should be given credit for
their outstanding efforts too.
There have been a few keepers who have
shone in Brazil. Here are five of my favourites
(in no particular order).
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Ever since he broke into the Germany national
team, Neuer has been regarded as a keeper
with immense potential. The Bayern Munich
keeper has gone on to fulfil that potential and
is now arguably the best keeper in the world.
Neuer is confident, decisive and offers an
assurance in-between the sticks for the
Germans. Neuer has become the ultimate last
line of defence by almost becoming an extra
defender with his sweeper-keeper skills.
At times he must give German fans some heart
problems with his runs out of goal, but most
of the time he gets it right and helps his
defence out.
Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)
Mexico number one Ochoa has been lauded for
his display against Brazil in El Tri’s 0-0 draw
against the hosts. In truth though, he has
been solid throughout the tournament and for
the last few years in Ligue One for Ajaccio.
Ochoa is now a free agent after his contract
with the French club expired and was already
in-demand prior to the tournament. His
performance in Brazil has just heightened that
demand. No doubt Ochoa will be appearing in
one of Europe’s top leagues next season.
Keylor Navas (Costa Rica)
Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas was another
player in-demand prior to the World Cup and
another who has probably earned himself a
big move this summer. Navas went into the
tournament having helped Levante to an 11th
place finish in La Liga , collecting a club
record number of clean sheets in the process.
The 27-year-old took his fine form to Brazil
with him and was a key part of Costa Rica’s
unlikely journey to the World cup semi-finals.
Navas conceded just two goals in Los Ticos’
five games in South America.
Reportedly Navas has a release clause of
£6.5million, at that price he looks to be a
bargain for any big European club looking for
a reliable last line of defence. English clubs
Arsenal and Liverpool are believed to be
interested in signing the former-Albacete
keeper this summer.
Tim Howard (USA)
The Everton star has proved to be one of the
most consistent keepers in the Premier League
in recent years and he has been no different
for his country. The veteran Toffees keeper
made a World Cup record breaking 15 saves
against Belgium in the last 16.
Although many of those were routine saves
and Belgium’s finishing was poor at times,
Howard deserves credit for some vital saves
throughout the tournament. The 35-year-old
was also one of his team’s leaders.
Also rallying his team and nation at times,
Howard helped his country achieve a place in
the last 16 of the World Cup.
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Last season Thibaut Courtois kept the most
clean sheets in La Liga, as Atletico Madrid
claimed the Spanish title for the first time in
almost two decades. The on-loan Chelsea
keeper was also solid for Belgium as they
reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup,
only to be defeated by Argentina.
Courtois made some vital saves for Belgium
earlier in the tournament, especially against
USA when his team were holding on in extra-
time. Courtois also showed his confidence and
nerve by denying Lionel Messi a second goal
late-on in the quarter-final.
The youngster will return to parent club
Chelsea this summer and could battle it out
with Blues long-term number one Petr Cech
for the number one jersey. The 22-year-old
has already proved himself an accomplished
performer, both at club and international level.
Close
I could not write an article about keepers
without talking about Holland’s hero from last
night’s penalty victory over Costa Rica.
Newcastle keeper Tim Krul had not played a
single minute at the World Cup.
However, Dutch boss Louis van Gaal brought
Krul on in the last minute of extra-time for the
penalty shootout. It was a strange move
considering that Krul did not have a
particularly great record at saving penalties
(two saves from 20 taken against him).
The ploy worked though, as Krul psyched out
the Costa Rica players by telling them where
they were going to put the ball. Some have
criticised the keeper and stated that the
tactics were cheating.
It would be naïve to call it cheating. Krul used
mind games and so did Van Gaal to a certain
extent and they worked.
Important
Ironically Krul’s cameo could prove to be one
of the most important at the World Cup. Four
of the keepers mentioned in my list have now
exited the competition, but Krul’s Holland face
Argentina in the semi-finals in a game he
might not even feature, what a mad football
world we live in.
Which keeper has impressed you the most at
the World Cup?
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