Confederations Cup XI
The Confederations Cup tournament of continental champions ended on Sunday with Brazil beating the United States 3-2. AFP selects its team of the tournament:
TIM HOWARD (Goalkeeper - United States/ Everton)
The consistent Howard gets the nod for his match-winning display that helped the United States stun Spain 2-0 and put his team in the final, and a tenacious performance in their crushing 3-2 loss to Brazil in the decider.
MAICON (Defender - Brazil/Inter Milan)
The lightning quick Maicon has made Brazil's No.2 shirt his own and reinforced his reputation with his speedy runs down the right and accurate crossing into the box.
LUCIO (Defender - Brazil/Bayern Munich)
Renowned for his intelligent reading of the game and dribbling of the ball out of defence, he was a rock at the heart of the Brazilian defence and scored the goal that won them the title.
JAY DEMERIT (Defender - United States/ Watford)
Not a glamorous choice, but the sturdy Watford centre-back was the epitome of consistency in the American back four.
GERARD PIQUE (Defender - Spain/Barcelona)
Still only 22, Pique has started to establish himself in the Spain side and showed he has an impressive aerial game and fine positional sense.
STEVEN PIENAAR (Midfield - South Africa/ Everton)
The experienced Everton star earns his place as the backbone of a South African team who exceeded expectations with their run to the semi-finals and agonising extra-time loss to Spain in the play-off.
XAVI (Midfield - Spain/Barcelona)
Barcelona's industrious midfielder was his usual effective self, with his penetrating balls and hard work a vital cog in Vicente del Bosque's record-breaking team.
KAKA (Midfield - Brazil/Real Madrid)
The unassuming Kaka lived up to his status as one of the finest players in the world with some gliding runs that caused havoc for Brazil's opponents, capped by two goals and a man-of-the-match performance in the final.
LANDON DONOVAN (Midfield - USA/LA Galaxy)
The LA Galaxy man played all five matches for Bob Bradley's United States, scoring two goals, with his wide experience crucial to helping his side keep their feet on the ground in their run to the final.
FERNANDO TORRES (Striker - Spain/Liverpool)
A hattrick in Spain's opening game against New Zealand got his tournament off to a flyer and while he failed to add to his tally, the Liverpool forward's vision and hard work assure him of a place.
LUIS FABIANO (Striker - Brazil/Sevilla)
The Sevilla striker scored five goals, including a brace in the final, and was an ever present threat to the opposition defence, reinforcing his growing reputation as a deadly hitman.
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