Davala (centre) - worst haircut? (Allsport)

By Frank Malley, PA Chief Sports Writer, Tokyo

The first World Cup to be held on the Asian continent may have fallen short of true vintage but it will live in the memory.

Anyone who was present on that stirring night in Sapporo when England beat Argentina can vouch for that.

Or in Daejon the night South Korea beat Italy with a golden goal which sent the Koreans into a collective celebration bordering on national hysteria.

Or who mixed with the samba boys of Brazil as they weaved their way across Korea and Japan dispensing their own unique brand of footballing magic, culminating in Ronaldo's final of redemption.

There were shocks and disappointments, much of which surrounded the dismal showing of most of Europe's so-called finest, none more desperate than the dismantling of the myth surrounding France.

But, as always, it is the stars who shone brightest who will be remembered most.

Not surprisingly the yellow shirts of champions Brazil feature prominently in these end-of-tournament gongs.

Best Player: Ronaldo.

A striker can do no more than score goals and Ronaldo's eight, including two in the final to win the Golden Shoe capped a spectacular return to the big stage.

His achievement is all the more commendable because of the fact he was considerably short of match fitness and struggled with muscular pains throughout the tournament.

Top goalkeeper: Oliver Kahn.

Without Kahn Germany might have exited the World Cup in the early stages.

Solid, reliable, even if his lone mistake gifted Ronaldo his first in the final.

One flying save against South Korea a candidate for the save of the tournament.

Dominated his area and shades America's Brad Friedel, who saved two penalties, to this title.

Top midfielder: Rivaldo.

Came into the tournament having endured the vilification of fans who believed he saved his best form for his club Barcelona, rather than his country. Fined and warned by FIFA after feigning injury in Brazil's first match against Turkey but redeemed himself with sparkling performances, bringing five goals.

Top defender: Rio Ferdinand.

Sol Campbell might have got into the official All-Star team but Ferdinand would shade it for most England followers. Has improved positioning and defensive skills over the past year and matured into the sort of composed and stylish central defender England have been looking for since the days of Bobby Moore.

Best attacking defender: Roberto Carlos.

So good he deserves a category all of his own. No wonder a recent poll of Brazilian fans voted him the most important player to Brazil. Peerless as an overlapping wing back. Turns up just about anywhere in attack while seeming always to be available in defence. Dangerous at free-kicks - a perpetual motion of footballing talent.

Best Manager: Guus Hiddink.

Not a day went by when the South Koreans didn't name a building or erect a new statue in honour of the coach who took them to the World Cup semi-finals.

Hiddink's secret was ridding the Koreans of the hierarchy which permeated their dressing room, drilling his players to super fitness and instilling inner belief - a potent combination.

Best goal: Park Ji Sung.

It was a tournament with an absence of truly great goals, though Rivaldo's control with the chest, swivel and volley from 20 yards against Belgium wasn't bad. So was Ronaldo's semi-final solo against Turkey. But for sheer deft touch and invention Ji Sung's juggle over a Portuguese defender and precise volley took some beating.

Best Match: Italy 0 South Korea 1.

The match which gave genuine evidence to the emergence of South Korea.

Italy were unable to live with the vigour and exuberance of a home nation urged on by an army of hysterical fans.

The passion and adventure the Koreans displayed in extra time will live long in the memory as will the golden goal scored by Ahn Jung Hwan.

Best moment: David Beckham's penalty.

No wonder Beckham raced to the touchline and 'did a Stuart Pearce', tugging the Three Lions on the front of his shirt and screaming 'Yes' to the roof of the Sapporo Dome.

He had just dispatched the spot kick which had beaten Argentina and, whatever else happened, England knew they could go home with their heads held high.

Best celebration: Papa Bouba Diop.

Diop stripped off his shirt after scoring the goal which beat France, laid it down by the corner flag and led his Senegal teammates in a dance around it which caught the imagination of the Asian continent.

It set the tone for some of the amazing stories which followed.

Funniest moment: Trevor Sinclair.

Clambered onto Argentinian team coach after England's triumph in Sapporo, only to realise half-way down the aisle that the celebrations were somewhat muted.

Oops, time for a sharp exit.

Worst haircut: Umit Davala.

Several candidates here, including England's own mohawk man David Beckham and the preposterous triangle resembling a slice of cheddar on the head of Ronaldo.

For sheer primeval scariness, however, it has to be Davala whose black semi-mohican contrasted sharply against his white scalp. A role beckons in the Addams family.