LONDON, July 13 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- 2010 saw a FIFA World Cup(TM) of firsts: the first on African soil, the first won by Spain and the first to be assessed second-by-second by the Castrol Index. Using advanced technology and objective analysis to evaluate every single player movement, the FIFA World Cup(TM) now has Sergio Ramos as its first Castrol Index winner.
Rank Player Position Country Castrol
Index
1 SERGIO RAMOS DF SPAIN 9.79
2 JOAN CAPDEVILA DF SPAIN 9.74
3 CARLES PUYOL DF SPAIN 9.70
4 PHILIPP LAHM DF GERMANY 9.66
5 GERARD PIQUE DF SPAIN 9.63
6 DAVID VILLA FW SPAIN 9.59
7 WESLEY SNEIJDER MF NETHERLANDS 9.56
8 LUIS SUAREZ FW URUGUAY 9.53
9 THOMAS MUELLER MF GERMANY 9.51
10 MANUEL NEUER GK GERMANY 9.48
11 SERGIO BUSQUETS MF SPAIN 9.46
12 JOHN PANTSIL DF GHANA 9.43
13 MARK VAN BOMMEL MF NETHERLANDS 9.41
14 BASTIAN
SCHWEINSTEIGER MF GERMANY 9.39
15 PAULO DA SILVA DF PARAGUAY 9.36
16 XABI ALONSO MF SPAIN 9.34
17 ARNE FRIEDRICH DF GERMANY 9.32
18 GREGORY VAN DER WIEL DF NETHERLANDS 9.30
19 JORIS MATHIJSEN DF NETHERLANDS 9.28
20 MAXIMILIANO PEREIRA DF URUGUAY 9.26
Source: FIFA.com/castrolindex
- Having objectively analysed every player, movement and pass
in the tournament, it is Sergio Ramos who finishes at the top of the
Castrol Index. The Spanish defender's brilliant all round game,
skilfully combining attack with defence not only helped him to top spot
but also saw his country win their first ever FIFA World Cup(TM).
- Having only conceded two goals throughout the tournament, a
feat which sees them equal the record of previous winners, France (1998)
and Italy (2006), it's no surprise that the Spanish back four occupy
four of the top five positions. Having had an outstanding tournament,
the Spanish back line restricted the Netherlands to precious few
chances, cementing their places in the Castrol Index.
- Whilst Ramos tops the Castrol Index on objective match data, it was
Uruguay's Diego Forlan who was voted the competition's best player
winning the Golden Ball.
- It may be a surprise to some that Forlan (46) doesn't manage
to make it into the Castrol Index top twenty. His below average pass
completion rate, almost half his passes went astray, as well as his
distance from goal when shooting (average 21m) has earned him fewer than
average points across the tournament. Whilst long range shooting is
memorable, it allows the keeper time to set themself, making the shots
statistically easier to save and less rewarding for the striker.
- Germany may not have made it to the Final, but they are
strongly represented in the top 10 positions of the Castrol Index due to
a very solid tournament. Defender Philipp Lahm's solid defensive
displays and attacking prowess prevents Spanish players from dominating
the top of the table.
- Lahm's team-mate, Thomas Mueller finishes the tournament in
ninth place and takes home two prestigious awards. His five goals and
three assists earn him the FIFA Golden Boot and his all round
performances earn him the title of tournament's Best Young Player.
- Second place for the Golden Ball is the Netherlands' Wesley
Sneijder. The highly-rated Dutch midfielder might have lost out to
Forlan in the Golden Ball competition but finishes in seventh in the
Castrol Index with his performances winning him many new admirers.
- Germany's Manuel Neuer beat off stiff competition from
Spain's Iker Casillas to retain his position as the tournament's highest
placed goalkeeper. Even so, it was the Spanish number one who took the
Golden Glove award home after captaining his team to victory in the
Final.
- Defensive players may have missed out in the Golden Ball
shortlist; however, the Castrol Index top twenty consists of 11
defenders. In a tournament where the average shots per game were limited
to just 27.9 and only 2.21 goals, it is clear to see the contribution
these players made to their teams.
About the Castrol Index:
The Castrol Index uses the same expertise that Castrol applies to the development of its oils using objective analysis and highly advanced technology to measure every pass, tackle and move on the field and assess whether it has a positive or negative impact on a team's ability to score or concede a goal. As such, it is the definitive system to objectively analyse and rank player performances throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM).
For more insights visit http://www.fifa.com/castrolindex
To see how the Castrol Index works visit http://www.castrolfootball.com
