Here is a selection of players that might have gone under most football fans radar, but who might shine during this summer's 2010 world cup in South Africa. In each world cup some surprises are thrown up and some players get high recognition and are considered more valuable following their efforts on the pitch. We all expect Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo and Robin Van Persie to shine and produce the football and skill we know they can, but who else will catch our eye and who might we be talking about at the end of the competition.
Here are my tips for being a surprise package during this tournament.
1 - Eduardo (Portugal)
Eduardo has come up through the ranks and has been promoted to first choice keeper by Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz. He is not the tallest of keepers standing at six feet tall, but has excellent reflexes and has lots of ability. Eduardo is currently playing for Braga, but expect him to be considered by some of the teams in the bigger European leagues at the end of this world cup.
2 - Humberto Suazo (Chile)
Chile ended their qualifying campaign as the top scores in the South American qualifying league and as such have a very attacking formation. Suazo was the leading scorer for Chile and despite this team not having the greatest reputation in world football got through their group mainly by doing well in their away fixtures. Suazo was a major part in their success, and one to pay careful attention to in this world cup.
3 - Cristian Riveros (Paraguay)
Paraguay qualified through the South American group mainly based on their excellent defensive record and as such conceded just 16 goals in their qualifying matches. Although a midfielder with excellent ball control and touch, Riveros was very much an instrumental part of that defensive unit. Watch him control the ball and set-up plays for Paraguay. He is an excellent marker and is equally good providing assists for the strikers. One very much to watch.
4 - Seydou Doumbia (Ivory Coast)
Doumbia has been playing in the shadow of bigger stars like Didier Drogba and Soloman Kalou who are both at Chelsea, but with Drogba's recent arm injury Boumbia might get his chance to shine and show the world what he can do. He has been scoring freely for his current club side young boys and he will take that free scoring record to CSKA Moscow next season.
5 - Miroslav Stoch (Slovakia)
Stoch is considered to be a rising star of international football. Having been playing on loan for FC Twente, who he helped win the Dutch league this season, he will be offered a new contract with his current team Chelsea.
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