Thursday, March 12, 2009

SWOOSH0018’S BEST WORLD CUP XI-CENTER BACKS

WOZA SA 2010 WOZA

FRANZ BECKENBAUER
DER KAISER (THE EMPORER)
Full Name: Franz Anton Beckenbauer
Born 11 September 1945
World Cups: 1966, 1970 & 1974


Undoubtedly the greatest defender the game of football has ever seen. Beckenbauer was an elegant & versatile footballer. He is credited with inventing the Defensive Sweeper Role “Libero”. Beckenbauer is a World Cup & Football Legend. He has the unique distinction of winning a Gold, Silver & Bronze Medal at the FIFA World Cup for Germany. Throughout his career Beckenbauer always put in top class performances for both club & country. In the 1966 World Cup Beckenbauer played as a midfielder for West Germany and scored 4 goals that led Germany to the finals where they lost to hosts England 4-2 after Extra Time. In the 1970 World Cup Beckenbauer was again instrumental for West Germany when he scored a spectacular goal in the Quarterfinals against England, who were leading 2-0 at the time. This goal inspired the Germans to beat England and qualify for the semifinals where they lost 4-3 to Italy after Extra Time in the Game of the Century. Beckenbauer’s commitment to West Germany was shown by his gutsy performance in continuing to play with a fractured clavicle as Germany had used both their substitutes at the time. Beckenbauer then captained his West German side of 1974 to World Cup success by beating the highly fancied Total Football Dutch team led by Cruyff. Beckenbauer is definitely one of the greatest football players of all time and definitely the greatest defender the game has ever seen.

BOBBY MOORE
Full Name: Robert Frederick Chelsea “Bobby” Moore
12 April 1941 – 24 February 1993
World Cups: 1962, 1966 & 1970


The cool & calm Central Defender for England, Bobby Moore made his debut for England just prior to the 1962 World Cup. Bobby Moore was part of the England squad that participated in the 1962 World Cup in Chile that lost to Brazil in the quarterfinals. In 1966 after becoming the youngest captain for England Bobby Moore led his side to World Cup Glory in front of their home crowd by defeating West Germany 4-2 in the finals. In 1970 after massive personal off the field drama prior to the World Cup (Bobby Moore being Arrested) he as usual in his cool & calm manner led his England side as defending champions to the quarterfinals of the 1970 World Cup losing to West Germany after extra time. Bobby Moore produced another master class performance against Brazil in the group phase. A Very Relaxed and Calm Defender Bobby Moore is an English Icon & Legend.

DANIEL PASSARELLA
Full Name: Daniel Alberto Passarella
Born 25 May 1953
World Cups: 1978 & 1982 (Part of the 1986 Squad but was injured & did not play)


Daniel Passarella was an Argentine defensive pillar. Passarella was a great leader and played with great passion. Passarella captained Argentina to World Cup success in the 1978 World Cup by beating the Netherlands in the final. In the 1982 World Cup Passarella was perhaps the only Argentine on the field that displayed any sort of class and form. Passarella was a great centre back that was also part of the 1986 World Cup winning team but did not feature at the tournament. Passarella was brilliant in the air. Passarella was also a free kick specialist. He was a class centre back and Legend for Argentina.

FRANCO BARESI
Born 8 May 1960
World Cups: 1990 & 1994 (Part of the 1982 World Cup Winning Squad but did not play)


The Greatest Italian Defender Ever??? Franco Baresi was part of the 1982 Italian Winning Squad but did not play. In the 1990 World Cup in Italy Franco Baresi was the Defensive Pillar of the Record Breaking Italian Defense that holds the record for the most minutes without conceding at the FIFA World Cup. Baresi is regarded by many as the greatest Italian defender ever and one of the greatest in the game itself. Baresi was also regarded like Beckenbauer as a sweeper. He finished 3rd with Italy in the 1990 World Cup and went a step closer in the 1994 World Cup as captain by finishing runner up to Brazil losing out on penalties.

FABIO CANNAVARO
Born 13 September 1973
World Cups: 1998, 2002 & 2006


World Cup Winning Captain in the 2006 World Cup. Played for Italy in the 1998 World Cup where Italy lost to eventual champions France on penalties as well as the 2002 World Cup where they lost to hosts Korea in the Round of 16. Undoubtedly his greatest performance came in the 2006 World Cup where Cannavaro was outstanding in Italy’s World Cup success and finished 2nd to Zidane in the chase for the Golden Ball (Best Player) Award of the World Cup. Captain Cannavro led Italy to an unlikely success as Italy were not expected to succeed having been rocked by a scandal in their domestic league which led to Cannavaro’s Club Juventus being relegated. However under Cannavaro’s leadership and outstanding performances Italy prevailed against all odds and Cannavaro was at the centre of the great team spirit that led to Italy being crowned champions. The Italian defense also conceded just 2 goals on route to their success. With his an Italy’s great defensive record Cannavaro also did not receive a single yellow or red card throughout the tournament and he played every minute as well.

MARCEL DESAILLY
Born 7 September 1968
World Cups: 1998 & 2002


Desailly was the Rock of France’s defense in the 1998 World Cup that only conceded 2 goals in winning the title. Desailly was a solid defender who was instrumental in France’s success at the 1998 World Cup. He was however sent off in the Final against Brazil for receiving 2 yellow cards. His performances throughout the tournament however more than compensated for this indiscretion in the final.

CLAUDIO GENTILE
Born 27 September 1953
World Cups: 1978 & 1982




Well if you ever wanted to find the roughest, toughest & hardest defender in the World Cup, gentile would definitely be a top candidate. He is arguably the greatest man marker in the history of the game. Gentile man-marked Diego Maradona out of the game in the 2nd group phase match against Argentina. Gentile kicked Maradona constantly. Gentile then did the same in their next match against Brazil, this time Zico was the victim. In fact Gentile actually ripped Zico’s shirt into half during the match. Gentile was then suspended in the semi’s against Poland but returned to help Italy win the World Cup against Germany in the Final. Gentile was primarily a centre back but due to his great man-marking abilities he played at right back as well. Gentile and Central Defensive partner Scirea were a force for Italy in their 1982 success. Their partnership at Centre Back for Italy is regarded as one of the best. Another amazing fact about Gentile is although he was one of the roughest defenders in the game he never received a red card throughout his career.

TRIVIA QUESTION?
Which 4 Players were known as the “carre magique” (Magic Square)?

HOW TO VOTE:
Same rules as Last: You can vote for any player you like and are not limited to the ones mentioned above. Voting procedure is same as last with the exception being you are to VOTE FOR 2 CENTRE BACKS: Send your vote and answer via email to galactico786@gmail.com as well as email/cell phone number.

PRIZES:
The prize for the overall winner of the competition which is the person who correctly guesses the correct World XI and answers all Trivia Questions Correctly will be The Complete Set of World Cup Highlights DVD’s from 1954-2006, a total of 14 Discs as well a an official adidas World Cup Ball

. At the end of this section the leader of the competition will win an Autographed Hashim Amla Mini Bat as well as a Selected World Cup DVD of your choice LAST MONTHS ANSWER:
The answer to last months question of who was the only player to score both a goal and an own goal in the same World Cup Match is Ernie Brandts of Netherlands against Italy in the 1978 World Cup.

Galactico

6 comments:

  1. Franco Baresi was class. He was a rock for Milan and Italy in his era. Good Galactico I see you have thre Italians. Im shocked. I would take a 4 man Italian defense with me into battle any time.

    Gentile f#4ked Maradona up in 82.
    Fabio was class till he joined Madrid.

    But Franz Beckenbauer gets my nod. Toppies were talking of how Beckenbaur could read a game. They said he was simply magnificent. And it was he who captained the team against Cruyff and co, and at a time when Total Football was born

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  2. swoosh you will take del with you on ur wedding night as well! forget about battle!

    mathias sammer, jurgen kohler, koeman dont even get a chance? alexi lallas? rigobert song? vinnie jones? colin hendry?

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  3. What about Terry Butcher from England.

    Three Lions

    ReplyDelete
  4. wat about Klaus Argantauler

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dessaily. That f#4ken Malawi Born owe was solid

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  6. Franco Baresi. Milans and Italys Rock

    Arivadeci Franco. You are a Legend

    ReplyDelete

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