Home
News
In Focus
Business
Metro
Nation
World
Sports
Feature
Opinion
View more 禄Opinion Columns
Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
City-born architect lists inspiration behind his designs in a new book
Digitization helps preserve, disseminate intangible cultural heritage
Sunday
- Subscribe
Puyol, an unlikely hero in team filled with talent
Source: Agencies |
July 9, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SPAIN'S Carles Puyol stepped up to become the unlikely hero, which may be remembered as the perfect going-away gift as the veteran defender mulls international retirement after the tournament.
The shaggy-haired center back rose above the German defense and crashed a 73rd-minute header into the net to send the European champion into Sunday's showpiece with Netherlands.
It was the 32-year-old's third international goal in his 89th appearance and puts Spain in its first World Cup final.
Puyol said he will make a decision on his future with the national team after the final.
"After everything he's given to the national team he deserves a goal like that," fellow defender Joan Capdevila said. "The trajectory he brings here is so admirable, and what better present than to put us into a final."
As usual, Puyol was mum after the match, leaving his teammates to tell of perhaps the most important goal for a player who has achieved every club level success possible on top of the 2008 European Championship triumph.
"Puyol the shark has taken us to the final," David Villa, who is joint top scorer at the tournament in South Africa with five goals, told reporters. "Let's hope he scores again and gives us another win."
Puyol's knack for scoring in big games is also apparent. He scored from a near identical header in Barcelona's record 6-2 victory at archrival Real Madrid in 2009.
"Clearly, to score from a corner kick against Germany is tough," Capdevila said. "Carles did it so well since these games are decided by the smallest details."
Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who is a Barcelona fan, added his voice to the acclaim, telling Spanish radio: "What a leap, what a header by Puyol! He is superb."
The shaggy-haired center back rose above the German defense and crashed a 73rd-minute header into the net to send the European champion into Sunday's showpiece with Netherlands.
It was the 32-year-old's third international goal in his 89th appearance and puts Spain in its first World Cup final.
Puyol said he will make a decision on his future with the national team after the final.
"After everything he's given to the national team he deserves a goal like that," fellow defender Joan Capdevila said. "The trajectory he brings here is so admirable, and what better present than to put us into a final."
As usual, Puyol was mum after the match, leaving his teammates to tell of perhaps the most important goal for a player who has achieved every club level success possible on top of the 2008 European Championship triumph.
"Puyol the shark has taken us to the final," David Villa, who is joint top scorer at the tournament in South Africa with five goals, told reporters. "Let's hope he scores again and gives us another win."
Puyol's knack for scoring in big games is also apparent. He scored from a near identical header in Barcelona's record 6-2 victory at archrival Real Madrid in 2009.
"Clearly, to score from a corner kick against Germany is tough," Capdevila said. "Carles did it so well since these games are decided by the smallest details."
Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who is a Barcelona fan, added his voice to the acclaim, telling Spanish radio: "What a leap, what a header by Puyol! He is superb."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
