World Player of the Week: Leandro Damiao - Brazil
| World Player of the Week |
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| Brazil | 3-0 | New Zealand |
| Brazil | 3-2 | Honduras |
Brazil's men are the red-hot favourites to win their first ever gold medal in the football at the 2012 Olympics, but for a long time of their quarter final against Honduras it seemed as if a shock exit was on the cards.
Twice falling behind, it took Leandro Damiao's determination and decisiveness to swing the tie in the favour of the South Americans. First, the Internacional striker's anticipation allowed him to turn home Hulk's cutback, then the 23-year-old won his side a penalty - allowing Neymar to equalise for a second time.
Damiao was destined to have the final say in a thrilling clash at St James' Park, by firing home on the hour mark to book a semi-final meeting with Korea.
Earlier in the week, Damiao also scored one and made another as Brazil beat New Zealand 3-0 and finished top of Group C. Wanted by a host of top European clubs, it will be difficult for Internacional to keep hold of their master marksman following his Olympic heroics.
| Congratulations to Leandro Damiao, Goal.com's 168th World Player of the Week winner! |
Honourable Mentions
| Sergei Semak - Zenit Champions Zenit have maximum points from their first three games in Russia, and blitzed CSKA Moscow with three first half goals at the weekend. Evergreen 36-year-old Semak struck twice past Igor Akinfeev. |  |
| Guillermo Sara - Atletico de Rafaela Sara was the standout performer on the first day of the Argentine Apertura by singlehandedly earning Atletico a point at Racing. The goalkeeper saved two penalties from Jose Sand, and made a string of other stops. |  |
| Waleed Soliman - Al Ahly The result of the round in the CAF Champions League saw Al Ahly thrash Berekum Chelsea 4-1. The star of the show was Waleed Soliman, who scored twice, and terrorised the Ghanaians throughout. |  |
| Ki Sung-Yueng - Korea Team GB suffered a heartbreaking Olympic football exit on Saturday night to Korea and the chief protagonist was Ki, who delivered an assist in normal time and then dispatched the winning penalty in the shootout. |  |
| Maya Yoshida - Japan The Japanese men's team have yet to concede a goal at the Olympics, mainly thanks to defensive leader Yoshida. The 23-year-old masterminded another two clean sheets last week and scored in the last-eight win over Egypt. |  |
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:
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"Maya Yoshida. Essential to Japan keeping clean sheets against Honduras and Egypt, scored against Egypt, and showed great leadership as captain in leading Japan to its first Olympics semi finals in more than four decades."
"Waleed Soliman from Al-Ahly of Egypt. CAF Champions League group stage match, scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist."
Switching back to the contest for a gold medal, Tae voted for South Korea star Ki Sung-Yueng, who helped guide the Far East nation into the Olympic semi-final.
"Ki Sung-Yeung. He led S Korea against never-easy opponents like Switzerland, Gabon and Great Britain. With the lack of offensive flash in the Korean team, they managed to reach the semi-final thanks to the excellent work of Ki."
Nicola Criniti's focus was across the Atlantic ocean where Felipe was in form in the MLS.