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Winners and losers at the Confederations Cup

June 29, 2009 09:55 AM | Posted by   Jason de Vos  

With the Confederations Cup ending on Sunday with Brazil defeating the United States 3-2 in the final, it is time to take an alternative look at the winners and losers of the tournament.

Winners

The United States – Despite the fact that the U.S. lost its opening two games of group play (by some distance, I might add), it is difficult to class this tournament as anything but a success for our neighbours to the south. They did what no other team has been able to do for the best part of two and a half years – beat Spain – and they very nearly lifted their first FIFA trophy in a men’s event. Their tournament should give them confidence to get the job done in World Cup qualifying, and I expect they will one of a number of teams looking to cause a few upsets next summer in South Africa.

South Africa – There was some concern coming into the tournament about how the host nation would fair against some of the best teams in the world. Their task was made easier by the fact that they were drawn in Group A with minnows New Zealand and Iraq, but they qualified for the semifinals by default, as Iraq somehow managed not to score against the Kiwis in their final group game. Nevertheless, once they were into the knockout stage, Bafana Bafana played some great football, and they very nearly knocked off both Brazil in the semis, and Spain in the bronze medal match. Stretching two of the world’s best teams so far must surely do their confidence a world of good ahead of the big event next summer.

Oguchi Onyewu – I have watched this player’s progress for a number of years now, and he has always been something of a nearly man. He went on loan to Newcastle a few years back, which didn’t really go according to plan. There were question marks raised about his attitude when he turned down the opportunity to go to Fulham, as he apparently felt he was better than that. Up until this tournament, it was difficult to agree with that sentiment. But Onyewu was nothing short of sensational at the back for the U.S., as he handled world-class strikers from Spain and Brazil with confidence and composure. With his contract at Standard Liege in Belgium coming to an end this summer, he looks to have considerably increased his value in the free-agency market.

Matthew Booth – Those watching the games on television couldn’t help but wonder why South African fans were booing this player every time he touched the ball. All a big misunderstanding, I’m afraid, as the punters in the stadium were actually chanting “Booooooth” every time the big man came into play. Strong in the air and in the tackle, Booth also looked comfortable on the ball. Something of a talisman for the Bafana Bafana, he appears to have garnered the same sort of affection that his predecessor, Mark Fish, had with supporters.

New Zealand – I know that they didn’t win a game, let alone score a goal. But the Kiwis kept going, despite getting hammered by Spain in their opening game. They even managed to earn their first-ever point at the Confederations Cup. Besides, everyone loves a trier.

Honourable Mentions – Clint Dempsey (USA), Siboniso Gaxa (RSA), Luis Fabiano (BRA), Essam El Hadary (EGY), David Villa (ESP)

Losers

Italy – Failure to progress to the knockout stage has to be viewed as a failure for Italy, despite assertions to the contrary from the Azzurri camp. Marcello Lippi clearly has some work to do ahead of the World Cup next summer. I’m a fan of Italian football; I love how meticulously prepared they are defensively. Well, they usually are anyway. This is the worst I have seen Italy defensively, and it worries me that they appear to have a real lack of leadership at the back.

Fabio Cannavaro – Is it time for Cannavaro to be put out to pasture? He looked woefully below his usual high standards, and the fact that he is now 35 must be of some concern to Mr. Lippi. Perhaps he was bothered by the injury that caused him to miss the opening game, but he won’t be looking back on the Confederations Cup with especially fond memories.

Luca Toni – Does anyone else out there think this guy is vastly overrated? I fail to see how he fits into the traditional Italian style of football. Big, slow, cumbersome centre forwards are not the mental image conjured when you consider the great Italian teams of the past. If you are going to play this guy, at least get your wide men to get to the touch line and whip some balls into the box for him to attack. The emergence of Giuseppe Rossi can’t come quickly enough, I’m afraid.

Spain – This one should have an asterisk beside it, I suppose. Spain’s tournament wasn’t necessarily a failure, but it was a shock for them to lose to the United States. If not for the brilliance of Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit and Onyewu at the back for the U.S., we could very easily have seen a Brazil-Spain final. La Roja were made to go to extra time to win the bronze medal against South Africa as well, so the tournament certainly won’t be considered a resounding success for the champions of Europe.

Egypt – What on earth happened to Egypt? A narrow loss to Brazil, followed by a triumphant victory over Italy saw the Pharoahs come within touching distance of a berth in the semifinals, only for them to come unwrapped against the U.S. For a team that is struggling to make it to the World Cup next summer, that has to come as a major disappointment.

Others who failed to live up to expectations – Fredy Adu (USA), Andrea Dossena (ITA), Bora Milutinovic (IRQ), Andy Boyens (NZ) – sorry, couldn’t resist!

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