Gary Meenaghan was in Brazil for all of the World Cup 2014 action and picks his three stars of the tournament, along with other top players, a few substitutes and the best manager.
THREE STARS OF THE TOURNAMENT
GK: Keylor Navas (Costa Rica) This summer's World Cup has produced a long list of quality goalkeeping performances, from Guillermo Ochoa in Mexico's draw with Brazil to the US's Tim Howard against Belgium and Algeria's Rias Mbohli against Germany. Nobody was more consistent, however, than Navas.
The Costa Rican was immense in his country’s surprise showing in the group stages. Key saves in the victories over Uruguay and Italy saw the Ticos claim famous wins over former champions, while he also ensured England failed to score.
In the last 16, he saved a Greek penalty shoot out to book his country a place in the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, and he kept a clean sheet against the Dutch in the quarter-finals, his third in five games. Eventually lost on penalties.
Employed by Levante in Spain, he has already been strongly linked with a big-money move to Bayern Munich. As shown by his place in our team of the tournament though, Navas, 27, is too good to play second fiddle to Manuel Neuer, who incidentally is the back-up on our substitutes’ bench.
Want more pictures? Click here to see a photo gallery of the top XI from World Cup 2014
CB: Ron Vlaar (Netherlands) After an unremarkable season at Aston Villa in which his side conceded more than any other side that survived relegation, the Dutch defender began the tournament with some believing he was the weak link in his country's defence.
Yet as Louis van Gaal’s side went undefeated – they lost only on penalties to Argentina in the semi-finals – Vlaar was exceptional. Holland conceded four times in seven matches and only once – against Mexico – in the knockout stages.
Against Argentina, Vlaar proved impenetrable, racking up six interceptions, 13 clearances and winning three of his four headed duels as he ensured Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero rarely got a sight at goal. He also stepped up to hit the Dutch’s first penalty of the shoot-out after another player refused. Even though he missed, the confidence he showed to accept the responsibility is commendatory.
Against Brazil in the third-place game, he recorded his fourth clean sheet in seven matches and was never troubled. Helping to rid Holland of their rough-and-tough image, Vlaar defended with style, never collecting a booking and always looking assured on the ball.
An aerial threat, also, the 29 year old will be a popular player when he returns to Villa. Manchester United, coached by Van Gaal, have already been linked.
AM: James Rodriguez (Colombia) The Colombian playmaker enjoyed his breakthrough tournament, making the €40m (Dh199.8m) that Monaco paid Porto for his services last summer appear a bargain. In his country's run to the quarter-finals, he scored six times in five games and claimed two assists.
The stand-out strike, a long-range effort against Uruguay at the Maracana, was a picture of perfection as he took a pass on his chest with his back to goal, swivelled and volleyed it in off the crossbar from 25 yards. As good a goal as the tournament witnessed.
In Colombia’s quarter-final with Brazil, the opposition at times reverted to kicking him in order to stop him from impacting the game, yet he still scored and, on the final whistle and with tears running down his cheeks, was singled out for praise by David Luiz and Dani Alves in an image that will live long in the memory.
The Real Madrid PR machine has already fired up in an attempt to tempt him back to western Europe. If he was valued at €40m last year, the Uefa Champions League winners will need to cough up a lot more now, courtesy of his performances over the past four weeks.
Read more: Gary Meenaghan picks his five disappointing flops of World Cup 2014
THE OTHER EIGHT
RB: Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina) The Argentine came into the tournament off the back of another fine title-winning season with Manchester City and picked up where he left off. A solid presence in the back four, he also complemented his country's counter-attacks with runs down the right flank.
Kept four clean sheets en route to the final. Beats out competition from Philipp Lahm, since the German was deployed in midfield during the group stages.
CB: Mats Hummels (Germany) Hummels showed his worth perfectly when returning to his side after missing the match with Algeria with the flu. Against the Africans, Germany had looked ropey, but with Hummels reinstated at the heart of defence for the last-16 match with France, Germany's solidity returned.
He scored the only goal of the game to become only the third German defender to score twice at a World Cup.
LB: Daley Blind (Netherlands) The Dutch wingback produced two of the passes of the tournament in the group stages. Against Spain and with his side trailing 1-0, Blind hit a magnificent 50-yard cross onto the head of Robin van Persie, while his assist for Arjen Robben later in the game was exceptional.
In the third-place playoff against Brazil, he showed composure to control a loose ball and fire in his country’s third score.
CM: Javier Mascherano (Argentina) The perfect defensive shield in midfield, his quality this month has made Barcelona's insistence on playing him in central defence all the more ludicrous. A tireless terrier with a reputation of having an aggressive streak, he came through his side's six-game run to the final without collecting a booking.
Against Holland, he made a late, sliding tackle when Arjen Robben broke through that was as valuable as any goal.
CM: Jermaine Jones (United States) The American, born in Germany and employed in Turkey, arrived in Brazil relatively unknown and with a slightly lumbering gait.
His all-energy performances, during which he broke up opposition attacks and quickly turned defence into attack, however, were crucial to the American run to the last 16. Netted a fantastic, curling strike against Portugal, which appeared to catch even him by surprise.
LM: Toni Kroos (Germany) Although he notched two assists in the rout of Portugal, it was not until the knockout stages when Kroos became arguably the best player of the tournament.
He struck the free-kick that led to the solitary goal against France and was unstoppable in the semi-final demolition of Brazil, scoring twice, claiming a fourth tournament assist and forever floating between the lines, causing problems for the befuddled opposition.
RM: Arjen Robben (Netherlands) Critics say Robben is predictable. Critics say he always cuts in on his left. Yet the 30 year old continues to cause panic in defences the world over. The Dutchman appears to be getting more energetic with age and often grows stronger as games grow long.
Started the tournament with three goals in two games and finished it with a man-of-the-match performance against Brazil in the third-place game.
FW: Neymar Twenty-two years old. World Cup debutant. Playing on home soil. Two hundred million people expecting him to shine. It would have been easy for Neymar to crumble under the pressure, but instead he rose to the occasion and was Brazil's star.
He produced four goals in the group stages and injected flair in an otherwise workmanlike team. His importance – physically and psychologically – was obvious as his country crashed and burned without him against Germany.
FIVE SUBSTITUTES
Manuel Neuer (Germany) Solid defence helped limit the goalkeeper's action, but when called upon, he appeared dominant and impenetrable. His greatest performance, as sweeper-keeper, came against Algeria.
Marcos Rojo (Argentina) Making his World Cup debut, he grew in confidence as the tournament progressed. Scored his first international goal against Nigeria, but caught the eye for his speed and solidity at the back.
Jan Vertonghen (Belgium) Played out of position at left-back, he conceded just three times in five matches and constantly offered an attacking threat, exemplified with his crucial late goal against South Korea.
Thomas Muller (Germany) The pest with the perfect touch. Always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Only 24 and looks certain to beat Miroslav Klose's World Cup all-time goalscoring record.
Juan Cuadrado (Colombia) Cuadrado was consistently quality for his country, providing four assists and a goal in five games. Full of flair and pace, he was a delight to watch on the flank.
TOP MANAGER
Jorge Luis Pinto, Costa Rica The Costa Rica tactician led his team to the quarter-finals and left the tournament undefeated. With the players he had at his disposal, the achievement is all the more remarkable.
Pinto’s side, ranked No 28 in the world, were supposed to be the whipping boys of Group D, yet finished top after wins over Uruguay and Italy.
With the team set up to defend in numbers and counter-attack, they proved too much for their World Cup-winning opponents, and in the quarter-final with Holland, they lost on penalties.
For leading a country with a population of just four million to their best finish in history, Pinto deserves much credit.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
Results
2pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: Mouheeb, Tom Marquand (jockey), Nicholas Bachalard (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Honourable Justice, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dark Silver, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Dark Of Night. Antonio Fresu, Al Muhairi.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Habah, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA
Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECVT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E119bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E145Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh%2C89%2C900%20(%2424%2C230)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20will%20host%20Scotland%20for%20a%20three-match%20T20I%20series%20at%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Stadium%20next%20month.%3Cbr%3EThe%20two%20sides%20will%20start%20their%20Cricket%20World%20Cup%20League%202%20campaigns%20with%20a%20tri-series%20also%20involving%20Canada%2C%20starting%20on%20January%2029.%3Cbr%3EThat%20series%20will%20be%20followed%20by%20a%20bilateral%20T20%20series%20on%20March%2011%2C%2013%20and%2014.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000, 2,400m
Winner: Recordman, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m
Winner: AF Taraha, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Dhafra, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000, 1,600m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Fernando Jara, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000, 1,600m
Winner: Optimizm, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
Small%20Things%20Like%20These
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Tim%20Mielants%3Cbr%3ECast%3A%20Cillian%20Murphy%2C%20Emily%20Watson%2C%20Eileen%20Walsh%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
