Big Question: Who are your team’s unsung heroes?

April 24th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

A lot of attention is paid to the superstars that will be playing in the World Cup. This year we are also hearing quite a bit about many of the next generation of stars. While there is no doubt that these players can help to change a team’s fortune, a team can only go so far with a couple of stars. Every team that qualified for this year’s tournament has players who do the dirty work on the pitch that is critical for their team’s success. They might be stars in the own right when they play for their club teams, but they are critical role players when the suit up for the countries.

Today’s Big Question gives you the chance to highlight a few of your team’s unsung heroes. Let us know some of the players in the background that we should keep an eye on, while the spotlight is shining on the big names.

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Fernie

Keep a close eye on Carlitos Tevez this year. He has been doing awesome in the brazilian league and im sure he is going to be one of the stars of this world cup.
http://incadenza.typepad.com/soccer_thoughts/ Evan

Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley are the big names for the Americans, but in attack, it all comes down to Brian McBride. Yes, he’s made (somewhat) a name for himself at Fulham, but he’s not a young star and he doesn’t have any marketing image, but he’s crucial for any US hopes to get past the group stage.
Luis Carlos

With Marquez, Oswaldo and Borgetti, being the most known mexican players, I can asure you you will see a good performance by:

Daniel Osorio (DF)
Carlos Salcido (DF)
Sinha (MF)
“Lucho” Perez (MF)
“Kikín” Fonseca (STR)

I think those are the Mexican unsung heroes. Although Lozano is in the cover of the World Cup ¿?¿?
Gibb

Dragoslav Jevric was a superb goalie in the qualifiers. Many people talk about the great SM defence line with Vidic, Dragutinovic, Gavrancic and Krstajic, but forget about him.

I saw many of the matches and believe me he had a lot to save.

What I like most is his calmness. He does never overact and he is both, superb at the goalline as well as in the air.
GEORGE

Carles Puyol, the Barcelona defender, must be one of Spain’s best defenders and works as hard as anyone
http://www.bensefels.de Bense

Metzelder is a real workhorse in the defense. Also Klose is underestimated. He was hyped after 2002 but could grow to the standard.
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/big-question-which-current-coach-was-the-best-player.html#comments Pedro P

For Portugal, Costinha is an easy one. Not only a brilliant defensive midfielder, he is instrumental securing everything, while the rest is up front. The strategic influence in the back…

Petit, our second most defensive midfielder, is another guy with the soul of a warrior. Cleans the midfield blank and does 90 mins running (almost without swetting)… The “pitbull” or the “piano loader”, as we call him.
argiebargie

Javier Zanetti.

He has been running up and down argentinas right flank for over 10 years and is the most consistent player we have. Gives 100 percent every game and are privileged to have a player of his stature in the team.
Last chance for him to win the world cup now and i hope he does because no will deserve the medal more.
http://www.worldcup2006news.net/ Knut Karnapp

It´s not my country but I would say Makaay. He´s not even been given a spot in the team. I feel bad for him.
http://portugal.worldcupblog.org Luis Paulo

Among the Brazilian non-starters I would give a special attention for Juninho and Cicinho. However the Lyon’s midfielder is already known while the right-back Cicinho joined the Real Madrid this season.

So, I would like to point to the Argentinan Carlitos Tevez who is really doing a great job here in Brazil.
http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org Mike

Karnapp, Makaay isn’t I’m afraid. He has never played very well for the Dutch. He’s a good player but his exclusion from the squad is logical.

Unsung heroes for the Dutch would be Van der Sar and maybe Cocu. The Dutch love to attack but Cocu and Van der Sar provide defensive confidence, stability and calm.
Bimbo

I think Boumsong will be a Sol (Campbell) French … with no bell. Boumsong is unsung but if he sings a song that will be “Boum -Boum” or something like that !

Do you know Ribéry? Not unsung, Ribéry will be able to “faire oublier” Zidane !
http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/1/un-sung-hero.html Un-Sung Hero – FIFA World Cup 2006 – Netherlands World Cup Team Blog

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