Best Players of the Second Day - 2002-06-01

Miroslav Klose from Germany, Jon Dahl Tomasson from Denmark, and Matt Holland from Ireland have been selected as the best players in three matches today at the World Cup. On FIFA's website, a panel of experts introduces the best player of each match after every game, and today these three players received this title. Miroslav Klose was chosen as the man of the match for scoring three goals in the game against Saudi Arabia, which led to Germany's 8-0 victory. Klose and his teammates showcased their best efforts to silence many critics of the team before their departure to the World Cup. Klose not only scored whenever he wanted but was also a constant part of Germany's strike force alongside Carsten Jancker. Germany's coach Rudi Völler stated after the match that he did not want to single out any player for special praise, but as a former forward, he was pleased to see his players score so many goals. Völler mentioned that they should not be intoxicated by the victory since Saudi Arabia was not a strong team at all. Meanwhile, Jon Dahl Tomasson scored two goals against Uruguay, with his second goal being a header in the 83rd minute from a cross by Martin Jørgensen, which was the winning goal for Denmark against their opponent. Denmark's coach Morten Olsen said that these were not only good goals but their combination was outstanding. Olsen added that it was nice to see what he had taught the players in training manifesting in a match. Matt Holland is considered the savior of the Irish national football team against Cameroon. Holland's goal in the 52nd minute saved Ireland from losing to Cameroon, resulting in a 1-1 draw for the European team. This Ipswich Town midfielder, who struck the ball into the Cameroon net like a cannonball, said after the match that he had scored two goals in the same manner during the World Cup qualifiers and was now happy to witness a similar goal in the World Cup scene.