The Hindu : Sport / Football : Seven Italians in All-Star squad

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 08, 2006

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Sport - Football

Seven Italians in All-Star squad

Berlin: Seven Italians, four Frenchmen and as many players from Germany and Portugal, two Argentines and one player from both England and Brazil made it to the 23-member FIFA World Cup 2006 All-Star squad announced here on Friday.

The Italian dominance was clear with Gianluigi Buffon named as one of the three goalkeepers, while the Marcello Lippi-guided side also contributed two each in the defence, midfield and forwardline.

The list of players, selected by FIFA's Technical Study Group, includes the French quartet of Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry.

Host and semifinalist Germany is represented by custodian Jens Lehmann and the trio of defender Philipp Lahm, skipper-midfielder Michael Ballack and top scorer so far Miroslav Klose.

For Portugal, the players are goalkeeper Ricardo, defender Ricardo Carvalho and mid-field colleagues Luis Figo and Maniche.

Defender Roberto Ayala and striker Hernan Crespo represent Argentina.

England has just one entry in the list, defender John Terry, while defending champion Brazil's saving grace is midfielder Ze Roberto.

The All-Star squad: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Jens Lehmann (Germany), Ricardo (Portugal). Defenders: Roberto Ayala (Argentina), John Terry (England), Lilian Thuram (France), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal). Midfielders: Ze Roberto (Brazil), Patrick Vieira (France), Zinedine Zidane (France), Michael Ballack (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), Luis Figo (Portugal), Maniche (Portugal). Strikers: Hernan Crespo (Argentina), Thierry Henry (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Francesco Totti (Italy), Luca Toni (Italy). — UNI