TWD's World Cup Wrap Day 6/Sports Thread #5 For 6/16/10: The Managing, The Managing, The Managing

Photo from the Getty Images and Fifa.com

Man of the Day: Switzerland's Stephan Lichtsteiner
The Lazio rightback today was just so immense, as everyone else in his side was of course. He contained Xavi. He contained Iniesta. He contained Villa. He could have even contained one of Pamplona's bulls today.

Not only was his positioning and focus on defense brilliant today for the Swiss, but so was his ventures going forward.

Marvelous, Marvelous, marvelous, just like his team. And a special mention to Steve von Bergen, who was just terrific in replacing an injured and dejected Philippe Senderos in such a difficult spot against arguably the world's most talented team.

Goat of the Day : Iker Casillas, Spain
Though this could be a little harsh considering it was both Puyol's and Pique's mistake, as well as terrific desire by Derdiyok, Nkufo, and Fernandes that caused that goal, Casillas gets the criticism for talking all that stuff about England's goalkeepers being the weak link, yet not being able to do his own darn job himself.

And there are some whispers starting to grow a bit about Pepe Reina deserving a chance in goal, although that will never happen unless an injury were to plague Casillas.

Or.....is this the continuing slippage of once exemplary form from the Real Madrid superstar? We shall see.

Photo From AP

Tactical Man of the DayOttmar Hitzfeld, Switzerland:
It was close between him and Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez, but the nod goes to the masterful Swiss coach. The focus and disclipine was obviously there for his D, but it was his choice to play Eren Derdiyok up top instead of either having Hakin Yakin partner with Baise Nkufo or just Nkufo himself that was the hallmark of how he got it so right today.

The Raymond Domenech Award (Worst coache of the Day) Carlos Alberto Parreira, South Africa:
In the match where you need to win or at least go out in a draw impressively, what do you chose to do? You leave a forward all alone by himself and get barely any chance in the game to school. More than the players today of the Bafana Bafana, Parreira showed why he has had very very little success outside of his country .

A masterclass in terrible managing.

And The Goal of the Day: Who else could you give it to, other than Mr. Fernandes, showing desire to not allow for Casillas, Puyol and even Pique's mistake to not go unpunished.

Your World Cup wrap (the first one, finally) for Day 6 of the FIFA World Cup report.