By Damian Spellman, PA Sport

Brazil were heading for home on Monday after bringing down the curtain on a fascinating World Cup by claiming the title they have made their own for the fifth time.

It has perhaps not been the best finals tournament in terms of breathtaking football, but it has never been short of drama, emotion and shocks.

The list of men who carved their names into football history this time around may have a few notable exceptions - Zinedine Zidane, Gabriel Batistuta and Luis Figo to name but three - but it does include a few who will look back on their time in the Far East with a great deal of pride.

COACH:

Guus Hiddink

The Dutchman who made the impossible seem almost possible, guiding South Korea to within a hair's breadth of the final on a wave of national emotion.

Prepared his side brilliantly, instilled an unshakeable confidence in his players and perhaps, most importantly, got them to give their all for their country.

GOALKEEPER:

Oliver Kahn

Such are his standards, Kahn will never forgive himself for the momentary lapse that allowed Ronaldo to put Brazil ahead in the final.

However, the German skipper should comfort himself with the knowledge that, had it not been for his heroics, his country would have been on the plane home long before his faux pas.

DEFENCE

Cafu

The inspirational Brazilian captain typifies the way the new world champions play their football.

Nominally a defender, he prefers to spend his 90 minutes screaming up the right wing in support of his front men, but showed that he can shut up shop when sacrificing his attacking instincts in the quarter-final clash with England.

Rio Ferdinand

The pick of a solid England defence, Ferdinand returned from the finals having established himself as a genuine player of world class.

Comfortable on the ball and a step ahead of even the most dangerous opponent in anticipation, he barely put a foot wrong and was outstanding in the victory over Argentina.

Hong Myung-bo

A tower of strength at the back for the South Koreans, 33-year-old Hong proved that there is no substitute for experience as he led his side to the unlikely heights of the semi-finals.

His tournament ended in disappointment as his error in the third and fourth place play-off gifted Turkey's Hakan Suker the quickest ever World Cup finals goal, but he can hold his head up high after a superb tournament.

Roberto Carlos

Like Cafu, Carlos relishes the chance to get forward and produced one stunning trademark free-kick to get his name on the scoresheet.

However, he played his part going in the opposite direction as the Brazilians showed an increasing resilience in defence as the tournament wore on.

MIDFIELD

Michael Ballack

The lynchpin in an ordinary German side, Ballack led with character which was best personified after the semi-final booking which cost him his place in the final.

Refusing to feel sorry for himself, he swallowed his personal heartbreak to provide the goal which saw off Turkey to book the clash with Brazil.

Pape Bouba Diop

If South Korea were the surprise package of the finals, it was Senegal who gave them their cue with an opening day victory over reigning World Champions France, courtesy of Bouba Diop's goal.

A driving force in a team which provided the tournament with a breath of fresh air, he characterised the African side's belief in themselves during a whirlwind progression to the quarter-finals.

Kleberson

He had to wait in line for his chance as the mercurial Juninho was given a chance to show his talents on the biggest stage.

However, when push came to shove, it was he who got the nod and he did not let his country down with a series of high octane displays which peaked with a superb individual performance in the final.

Song Chong Gug

The pick of the South Korean side, Song took up the baton wide on the right and never tired of running at defenders.

Pacy and tricky in possession, he provided much of the impetus for a side who played with an attacking zeal which fuelled the excitement of not only the home crowds, but the millions watching on television around the world.

ATTACK

Ronaldo

Four years of pain and misery left Ronaldo hungry for glory, and how he provided it just when his country needed it.

The world knew of his ability, but there remained a question mark over his fitness, one which he dispelled in emphatic style as he raced towards the Golden Boot and a winners' medal.

Ronaldinho

He may have had a relatively quiet final by his standards, but his performances throughout the tournament were excellent.

The service he provided for Ronaldo and Rivaldo was at times sublime, and his winning goal against England will long be regarded as a master-stroke in Brazil and a fluke in the land of St George.

SUBS

Claudio Reyna

Reyna missed the unfancied USA's stunning opening victory over Portugal through injury, but returned to lead their challenge with a series of superb displays.

Both combative and creative, he was only inches away from claiming one of the most spectacular goals in World Cup history with an instinctive long-range volley against the Germans in the quarter-finals.

Nicky Butt

Butt stood up to be counted when his country's call came and was nothing short of outstanding throughout England's participation.

Having lived for so long in the shadow of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and latterly Juan Sebastian Veron at club level, he proved, if he needed to, that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level, never with more satisfaction than when playing the Argentinian off the park in Sapporo.

Ilhan Mansiz

Mansiz had to make do with a series of run-outs as a substitute for much of the competition, but always made an impact, especially with Turkish talisman Hakan Sukur badly out of sorts.

With Hasan Sas injured for the third and fourth place play-off, he got a rare start and linked superbly with the revitalised Sukur to make the first goal and then claim the second and third himself.