Goalkeepers shine brightest in Brazil

Among the well-known, the less recognised have left their marks too.

RIO DE JANEIRO: Along with bringing back attack-minded football after the caution shown in South Africa, Brazil 2014 has also been a platform for the world’s best goalkeepers to shine.

Sunday’s final featured Germany’s Manuel Neuer, widely regarded as the best keeper in the world, whose sweeper-keeper role against Algeria won him many accolades.

However, even those goalkeepers who are less widely recognised have shone in the bright lights of Brazil.

Argentina’s Sergio Romero made just one league start for Monaco last season, but became a national hero when he saved penalties from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder to send his side into their first World Cup final in 24 years.

With more teams committed to attack, the last line of defence has been given more opportunities to shine. However, they have also been aided by a reliable ball in the Brazuca, which doesn’t dip and swerve like the Jabulani did four years ago.

North American federation CONCACAF enjoyed their best ever showing at a final with three teams reaching the last 16, in large part thanks to their goalkeepers.

Free agent Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa somehow kept Brazil at bay in a 0-0 draw in Fortaleza and almost certainly earned himself a lucrative contract in the process.

Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas’ three man-of-the-match awards are the second highest in the tournament, second only to Messi’s four. Navas conceded just once from open play in 510 minutes and guided his side into the last eight for the first time in their history.

The single most impressive goalkeeping display of all, however, came from America’s Tim Howard against Belgium in the last 16, making 16 saves, the highest in a World Cup since 1966. The Everton goalkeeper became an overnight sensation back in the States, receiving a personal call of thanks from US President Barack Obama.

Even a goalkeeper that played just one minute proved decisive, as Netherlands’ Tim Krul won his team a place in the semis against the Costa Ricans in the penalty shootout.

Bad run of fortune for others

However, keepers don’t always cover themselves in glory as Spanish captain Iker Casillas found to his cost, making a series of blunders as they crashed out in the first round.

It was a similar story for Russia’s Ivan Akinfeev as having already dropped a clanger to allow South Korea to open the scoring in his side’s first match, he was at fault again when Fabio Capello’s men seemed on course for the last 16 against Algeria.

Capello claimed Akinfeev had been blinded by a laser pen as he got caught under Yacine Brahimi’s cross allowing Islam Slimani to equalise.Unfortunately for them, that was to be the only bright light on Russia’s campaign as they were sent packing with just two points to their name.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2014.

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