Ramos Tops First Ever FIFA World Cup(TM) Castrol Index

LONDON, July 13 /CNW/ - 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

For further information: Laura Tucker, [phone], [email protected]; David Rutherford, [phone], [email protected]