JOHANNESBURG As the 2010 FIFA World Cup draws closer to the finals, a clearer indication of potential candidates for the various awards has emerged. The Zimbabwean takes a look at the awards available for contention.
Golden Ball Award: The best player of the tournament receives this award. A shortlist is provided by the FIFA technical committee and the winner is subject to the vote of media representatives. There is a silver and bronze ball for the second and third place winner.
2006 winner: Zinedine Zidane
Golden Boot Award: This accolade goes to the player who has scored the most goals at the World Cup. 2006 winner: Miroslav Klose.
Best Young Player Award: This honour is only given to footballers 21 and under for an excellent performances during the World Cup and was first given in 2006. 2006 winner: Lucas Podolski.
FIFA Fair Play Trophy: Only teams that make it to the second round can be considered and must show the best record of fair play. 2006 winners: Brazil and Spain
Yashin Award: Considering that goalkeepers face a fair share of pressure, the award has been set aside to acknowledge the top performing goalkeeper during the World Cup and was first awarded in 1994. 2006 winner: Gianluigi Buffon
Most Entertaining Award: Results are based on public voting on a poll for the team that has done the most to entertain the fans by taking a positive approach to the game. 2006 winner: Portugal
With teams and individual players going all out to impress on the field, only time will tell who will emerge victorious.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News