ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
The All Whites World Cup skipper Ryan Nelsen has been named in a "World Cup Best X1" picked by American sports television channel ESPN.
Nelsen, who is also captain of the English Premier league club Blackburn Rovers, earned his place by "defending defiantly throughout the tournament and heroically against Italy", ESPN said.
Meanwhile, the All Whites this morning became the only side at the World Cup to have come away unbeaten following Spain’s 1-0 win over Netherlands in the final.
The All Whites drew 1-1 with Slovakia, Italy and also Paraguay in their pool matches.
Even Spain had been beaten earlier in a pool match against Switzerland. Netherlands had remained the only other unbeaten side before their final loss to Spain, who won the Cup for the first time.
Last month, international football website goal.com named Nelsen its world player of the week for "inspiring his side to two draws (against Slovakia and defending champions Italy) and giving the All Whites a shot at last 16 qualification".
Here’s the ESPN Best X1: goalkeeper - Eduardo (Portugal), right back - Philipp Lahm (Germany), centre backs - Carles Puyol (Spain), Ryan Nelsen (New Zealand), left back - Carlos Salcido (Mexico), midfield - Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Xavi (Spain), right wing - Thomas Muller (Germany), attacking midfielder - Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), left wing - David Villa (Spain), striker - Diego Forlan (Uruguay).
Substitutes: Justo Villar (Paraguay), Maxi Pereira (Uruguay), Lucio (Brazil), John Mensah (Ghana), Fabio Coentrao (Portugal), Mark van Bommel (Holland), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Robinho (Brazil), Miroslav Klose (Germany).
The All Whites World Cup skipper Ryan Nelsen has been named in a "World Cup Best X1" picked by American sports television channel ESPN.
Nelsen, who is also captain of the English Premier league club Blackburn Rovers, earned his place by "defending defiantly throughout the tournament and...
The All Whites World Cup skipper Ryan Nelsen has been named in a "World Cup Best X1" picked by American sports television channel ESPN.
Nelsen, who is also captain of the English Premier league club Blackburn Rovers, earned his place by "defending defiantly throughout the tournament and heroically against Italy", ESPN said.
Meanwhile, the All Whites this morning became the only side at the World Cup to have come away unbeaten following Spain’s 1-0 win over Netherlands in the final.
The All Whites drew 1-1 with Slovakia, Italy and also Paraguay in their pool matches.
Even Spain had been beaten earlier in a pool match against Switzerland. Netherlands had remained the only other unbeaten side before their final loss to Spain, who won the Cup for the first time.
Last month, international football website goal.com named Nelsen its world player of the week for "inspiring his side to two draws (against Slovakia and defending champions Italy) and giving the All Whites a shot at last 16 qualification".
Here’s the ESPN Best X1: goalkeeper - Eduardo (Portugal), right back - Philipp Lahm (Germany), centre backs - Carles Puyol (Spain), Ryan Nelsen (New Zealand), left back - Carlos Salcido (Mexico), midfield - Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Xavi (Spain), right wing - Thomas Muller (Germany), attacking midfielder - Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), left wing - David Villa (Spain), striker - Diego Forlan (Uruguay).
Substitutes: Justo Villar (Paraguay), Maxi Pereira (Uruguay), Lucio (Brazil), John Mensah (Ghana), Fabio Coentrao (Portugal), Mark van Bommel (Holland), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Robinho (Brazil), Miroslav Klose (Germany).
Leave a Comment