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    World Player of the Week: Oribe Peralta - Mexico

    Goal.com – Mon, 13 Aug, 2012 7:45 AM EDT
    World Player of the Week
    Oribe Peralta
     
    AGE 28
    POSITION Striker
    FOR Mexico
    WEEK IN NUMBERS
    APPS (GOALS SCORED) 2 (3)
    TIME ON PITCH 176
    PREVIOUS WINS 0
     Mexico
         		 2-1 Brazil
     Mexico  3-1 Japan

    It would have taken a brave man to bet against Brazil's men winning footballing gold at London 2012 - the Selecao boasted some of the best talent ever seen at an Olympic tournament, including Thiago Silva, Neymar, Marcelo, Oscar, Hulk, Alexandre Pato, Lucas and Leandro Damiao.

    But Mano Menezes' men were stunned in Saturday's final as they fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Mexico at Wembley. The hero was Santos Laguna striker Oribe Peralta, who scored both of El Tri's goals in the showpiece.

    The deadlock-breaker came after just 28 seconds, the fastest goal in the history of the Olympics since FIFA began keeping records in 1976. Peralta's clincher arrived on 75 minutes with a clinical header. "I dreamed about this moment. It is one of those things you don't get to live every day," the forward beamed at full time.

    Peralta was also decisive in the 3-1 semifinal victory over Japan earlier in the week, scoring Mexico's second goal on 65 minutes when the game was tied at 1-1. The 28-year-old finished the competition as third top-scorer with four goals, and it is no surprise that he has been linked with a move to Italy's Serie A.

    Congratulations to Oribe Peralta, Goal.com's 169th World Player of the Week winner!

    Honorable Mentions

    Kwadwo Asamoah - Juventus

    It was a tumultuous week off the pitch for Juventus, but the Bianconeri clinched the Italian Supercup with a 4-2 win over Napoli in Beijing. New signing Asamoah scored one and was man-of-the-match.

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic - PSG

    Experts are already predicting that Ibra will break Josip Skoblar's 41-year Ligue 1 record of 44 goals in a season after he rescued PSG in their seasonal opener with a debut double to earn a 2-2 home draw against Lorient.
    Steven Lenhart - San Jose

    'Goonies never say die' - the childhood movie slogan Lenhart adopted for Earthquakes fans due to his and San Jose's propensity to recover from behind. Last week Lenhart sealed a 93rd minute win over Seattle.

    Carli Lloyd - USA

    While Peralta was the hero in the men's Olympic final, Carli Lloyd was the star in the climax to the women's competition. The 30-year-old scored both goals as Team USA defeated Japan 2-1 at Wembley.

    Rodney Sneijder - RKC

    The result of the round on the opening matchday of the Eredivisie came in Waalwijk as RKC stunned PSV 3-2. Rodney Sneijder - younger brother of Wesley - scored twice to seal a famous victory.

    On Sunday, we encouraged our readers to nominate their choices for the best player of the week. Here are some of the comments we received:

    Lua voted for for eventual winner and Mexico star Oribe Peralta for the part he played in denying Brazil Olympic gold.

    "Oribe Peralta. Won the gold for mexico and scored against japan to give them the lead!"

    Away from competitive football, Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed Paris Saint-Germain the quality they have bought this summer with an impressive debut performance according to the excitably named jajaja.

    "Ibrahimovic. 2 goals and totally dominant display on his debut."

    Katakyie praised Juventus star Asamoah for his goalscoring role in the 4-2 Supercoppa clash on Saturday.

    "Kwadwo Asamoah of Juventus, score yesterday for juventus lift their 1 cup of the season."

    Manchester United's final game of their pre-season European tour saw them beat Hannover 4-3 this weekend, and Wayne Rooney was among the protagonists - Tinaishe Blessed believes he was the key one.

    "Wayne Rooney... What a classy performance against Hannover 96."

    Luke Sibanda's focus was across the Atlantic in the US where Kaka starred in a Real Madrid's thrashing of AC Milan - fittingly, the Brazilian midfielder has been linked with a return to the San Siro throughout the summer.

    "It was Kaka for his outstanding performance during the 5-1 thrashing of Milan."
     

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