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Basil
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Fifa World Cup 2014 Brazil: Socceroos star Cahill breaks into top 10
Australia must soon embark on their long way home from the World Cup but will do so with Tim Cahill having earned a place in the top 10 of player rankings for the opening week.
Fifa have Cahill in tenth place with a match score of 9.39 points for his goal in the opening game against Chile and his stunner against Holland.
Those goals made Cahill, 34, one of a select half dozen-strong band of players to score at three different World Cups.
The veteran former Everton man, now with New York Red Bulls, will sit out the Socceroos' final Group B game against dethroned champions Spain through suspension.
But his performances in the opening two games, though they ended in defeat, have moved his ranking ahead even of the likes of Mexico's goalkeeping hero Guillermo Ochoa, ranked 15th with 9.25 points.
Heading the list was German hat-trick hero against Portugal Thomas Mueller with 9.75, just ahead of another surprise early man on form - Iranian defender Mehrdad Pooladi.
Completing the early top five were US defender Geoff Cameron, Brazil's David Luiz and England defender Phil Jagielka, edging out Dutch strike duo Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.
The index assesses each pass, tackle and its impact on a team's performance.
Rooney cancelled out Suarez's first half header, but the Liverpool forward smashed home five minutes from time to seal the victory. England aren't yet eliminated, but it will take quite a mix of results for them to progress to the knockout stages.
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World Cup 2014: Five scenarios for Italy, England in 'Group of Death'
Mario Balotelli can be the hero Roy Hodgson needs. Although not the one that the Queen would fancy.
After England lost to Uruguay Thursday, Balotelli tweeted - If we beat Costa Rica I want a kiss, obviously on the cheek, from the UK Queen
The England coach's knight in blue armour; when Italy take on Costa Rica all of England, barring the Queen, will be rooting for the Azzuri.
Following Luis Suarez's brace, England is on the brink of a deep, dark abyss. They face the very likely scenario of returning home after the group stage itself, stumbling at the very first hurdle.
English fans, however, can hope for a miracle. Because a miracle is what it will be if it happens.
Scenario One: Italy wins both games
England needs Italy to beat both Costa Rica and Uruguay, handsomely, to qualify. If the Italians can go through as unbeaten group leaders then they will sit pretty at the top with nine points, while both Uruguay and Costa Rica will be on 3 each. England would then have an outside chance if it can register a big win against Costa Rica. Possibly all three- Costa Rica, England and Uruguay- could then be tied on 3 points and it would come down to goal difference.
Scenario Two: Italy wins one, loses one
This is the worst case scenario in the group of death. It would mean that there could be a scenario where all three - Italy, Costa Rica and Uruguay- could end up with 6 points. It would come down to goal difference for the top two teams. England will be out.
Scenario Three: Italy draws one, loses or wins the other
A draw would further complicate matters. It would eliminate England, and could leave two teams on four points. Again goal difference would come into play for the second spot from the group.
Scenario Four: Italy draws both
England would be sent home. Again two teams could be tied on four points and it would come down to goal difference.
Scenario Five: Italy loses both
Both Italy and England will be eliminated and Costa Rica and Uruguay could qualify. Goal difference will determine first and second position.
Clearly, anything can happen in this group. And courtesy its win against Uruguay, Costa Rica joins Italy as favourites to qualify for the knock out stages. Unless, Suarez.
