Kaka was voted best player at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007 by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG). His crucial role in the 4-2 win over Boca Juniors in the final saw AC Milan's Brazilian maestro receive the adidas Golden Ball and the TOYOTA Award. Here is a full run-down of the awards made at the end of the tournament:
adidas Golden Ball andTOYOTAAward - Kaka (AC Milan)
AC Milan's Brazilian international was the star of the
FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007. The midfield maestro once again
showed his class in the final against Boca Juniors, scoring one and
setting up two other goals in the
Rossoneri's 4-2 win. His 61st minute strike was very
much the highlight as he ran half the length of the pitch, warding
off a number of challenges and putting Milan 3-1 up. Kaka it was
who also set up Clarence Seedorf for the only goal of the game in
the 1-0 semi-final win over Urawa Red Diamonds.
adidas Silver Ball - Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan)
The Dutch international was a vital cog in the AC Milan
machine at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007 and very much
Kaka's right-hand man. Seedorf scored the winner against Urawa
Red Diamonds, sending the
Rossoneri into the final against Boca Juniors, where the
midfielder was again involved in almost every Milan attack. After
winning the UEFA Champions League with three different teams,
Seedorf can now add a FIFA Club World Cup to his already bulging
trophy cabinet.
adidas Bronze Ball - Rodrigo Palacio (Boca
Juniors)
The Argentinean attacker did not quite manage to fire his
team-mates to the title at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007, but
the adidas Bronze Ball is nevertheless quite a consolation prize.
Palacio starred throughout the tournament, wowing the crowds with
his high-speed dribbling and even scoring in the final to put his
team level at 1-1. The fleet-footed forward caused Etoile Sportive
du Sahel all sorts of problems in the semi-final, wreaking havoc in
the opposition penalty box and setting up Neri Cardozo for the
winner.
Winner of the Fair Play Award -UrawaRed Diamonds
Urawa Red Diamonds set the home crowd alight during the
tournament. The Japanese side played some very attractive football,
beating Iranian team Sepahan before pushing AC Milan all the way in
the semi-final which they eventually lost 1-0. In the match for
third place, Holger Osieck's men held their nerve in a penalty
shoot-out to defeat Etoile and finish the tournament on a high
note. The Fair Play Award was the deserved icing on the cake for
the hosts.


