The Best Team :
Without any doubt the most complete team of the world cup so far has been Colombia. Only four teams have won all the three group games, Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia and Argentina. Colombia is the only team that looked comfortable in all three of its victories. Not only that, Colombia is playing with a reckless sense of fun. Colombia's Argentine coach Pekerman is highly experienced in training youth teams. He has created an extraordinary mix of youth and experience and is likely to go a long way in this World Cup. When Radamel Falcao, arguably the best no.9 in the world was ruled out there were some concerns about Colombian team. But in my opinion, it has actually worked in favor of the team. It actually relieved the team from the pressure of playing in a system that would suit its star. On the contrary, it allowed James Rodriguez and Cuadrado to move a lot more freely and the results are there for everyone to see.
The Luckiest Team :
There are many contenders for this award. Brazil was lucky to escape unscathed against Mexico and won against Croatia after an utterly underwhelming display for almost 88 minutes. Argentina was lucky enough that Iran was denied a valid penalty claim and that some ten years ago Lionel Messi decided to play for country of his birth, Argentina. However the luckiest so far has been Nigeria. Against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nigeria started well but Bosnia went on improving. In about 18th minute, Manchester City's Dzeko scored a goal which was ruled off-side. Replays showed it was a mistake. Ten minutes later Nigeria scored a goal. However Nigerian player Emenike had committed a foul before giving the deadly pass to Odemwingie which eventually proved vital in sealing Nigeria's spot in last sixteen.
The Best Coach
Without doubt this honor goes to Miguel Herrera of Mexico. Mexico's route to qualification was far from satisfactory. They actually sneaked in from back door because USA defeated Panamá in the last qualification game and Mexico had a chance to go for playoffs against New Zealand. Miguel Herrera was their fourth coach in the entire qualification route and didn't have much time to actually create a formidable group. Herrera recalled charismatic leader Rafa Marquez back and built up a team around youngsters like Giovanni Dos Santos, Peralta and Chicharrito Hernandez, and what he has achieved is truly amazing. Nobody in Mexico gave him any chance. He was severely criticized during the warm-up games as well. But in the very first game he showed that finally he had managed to create a team (The game that Mexico won 1-0 but with 2 legal goals not allowed due to poor refereeing). And with every game Mexico has looked better and better.
By the way, he is the worst paid coach of the world cup ($153,000 against some 9 Millions earned by Fabio Capello).
By the way, he is the worst paid coach of the world cup ($153,000 against some 9 Millions earned by Fabio Capello).
The Best Player
It's a close contest. For many this is Messi's best world cup and he has won all three games for Argentina on his own. For some it's Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica, for some it's James Rodriguez. For sheer variety, both in attack and in defense offered by Cuadrado it's difficult to look beyond him. But if there's one player whose performance has, not only saved the side but has actually concealed tactical loopholes of the side, it's Neymar. Neymar not only has performed well in all the games, he has done it despite defensive tactics of his coach, he has done it despite poor performances of his much less talented teammates (except Oscar). If Brazil wins the world cup, Neymar will have won it single-handed, a la Maradona in 1986.
