With much focus on how each individual teams are getting on in terms of their World cup 2010 betting odds, it seems like a good time to focus on the individuals that have shone in South Africa so far.
Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)
Two man of the match awards in two defeats show how busy he has been and the Nigerian goalkeeper has kept scorelines respectable for his team.
Maicon (Brazil)
Produced the goal of the opening round of matches, which admittedly did not say much for the other contenders. Brazil’s lone bright spark against North Korea.
Diego Lugano (Uruguay)
A centre half in the finest Uruguayan tradition, he has been instrumental in Uruguay’s two clean sheets so far.
Stephane Grichting (Switzerland)
The rock on which most of Spain’s attacks floundered. Excellent positionally and defending crosses.
Yuichi Komano (Japan)
The Japanese left back successfully shackled the out-of-position Samuel Eto’o, typifying an efficient defensive team performance.
Gokhan Inler (Switzerland)
Tidy use of the ball against Spain, although most of his work was defensive.
Gelson Fernandes (Switzerland)
Covered plenty of ground in closing down Spain’s talented midfielders and showed his adventurous side by tucking in the winner.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Produced some moments of magic against Nigeria and South Korea, but the best is still to come according to betting world cup 2010 pundits.
Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
A regular thorn in Honduras’ side, exhibiting the direct running and creative eye that is attracting big club interest.
Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
His one-man show against South Africa was the best individual display so far. Incisive and guileful, he is playing at the peak of his powers.
Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina)
If Diego Maradona’s job is easy, then Higuain’s is even simpler. Efficiently slotted a hat-trick against South Korea, the first in the World Cup in eight years, but his team-mates get most of the credit.
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Where’s Ozil… Puyol… David Villa… Sneijder… Mueller?