Top 5 Goalkeepers at the 2014 World Cup

The 2014 edition of the World Cup has been unique among its peers for showcasing some of the best goalkeeping for years. Here, I pick out some of the highlight performers in the World Cup so far.

Anyone who has ever kicked a ball in a park or on the street will know that standing between the sticks is the most unglamorous, thankless task in the team. Typically, you spend most of the game either doing absolutely nothing, or getting peppered by shots (some in particularly sensitive areas).

That's on top of the fact that most great goalkeepers tend to be a bit eccentric, which is probably understandable given the amount of focused intensity they need to keep up during a game, regardless of the action. The likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, David Seaman (serial victim of childish giggles) and Manuel Neuer are pretty solid and relatively sane. But when you remember colourful characters such as Jorge Campos (Mexican funky jerseys), Jose Chilavert (Paraguayan bulldog famous for taking freekicks and penalties), Rene Higuita (check out Scorpion Kick), Fabian Barthez and Peter Schmeichel; that's a pretty long list.

But this year's World Cup paints a different picture of goalkeepers. Understandably, playing in front of a defensive unit who only play together several times a year, their lives can be a bit busy at this tournament. However, scorelines have been kept relatively low by some amazing glove work (and at times foot) from the Number 1s. There's something badass about that 'thou shalt not pass' mentality that seems to be the theme of goalkeepers this year. 

My top 5, interestingly only has 1 member from a Quarter-finalist nation. Thus is the double-edged sword nature of great goalkeeping performances: If your goalkeeper is having a great game, it means your opposition is spending too much time in your area (Case in Point: David De Gea - Man Utd Player of the Year).

Here we pick out five standout performers this year (in no particular order):

Rais M'bolhi (Algeria)

Germany have been pretty solid in the attacking department in the Group Stages with 7 goals in the Goals For column but, over 90 minutes, they struggled to beat M'bolhi who put on a scintillating display to hold the Germans.

A virtual unknown playing in Bulgaria, the keeper showed excellent positioning and nerve in one-on-one situations; as well as good awareness as the game went back and forth.

Germany had a total of 22 shots on goal by the end of the night, but needed a cheeky backheel from Andre Schurrle to finally break the deadlock.

Manuel Neuer (Germany)

In the same game, Manuel Neuer also impressed but not quite in the customary goalkeeping fashion. As Germany pressed and pressed to pressure the Algerians pockets of space were building up behind the high line. Fortunately, Neuer was on hand to clear the danger and also challenge (gasp) oncoming attackers.

His libero performance would have made Beckenbauer and Matthaus proud; and is a lesson for all keepers to think outside of the box (pun intended).

Footwork and comfort on the ball has become an increasingly important trait in modern goalkeepers, and Neuer's performance highlights the importance of decisiveness and pace in dealing with swift counter-attacking tactics.

Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)

Nigeria tends to produce a few gems in world football. Joseph Yobo, John Obi Mikel (sort of), Jay Jay Okocha and Obefemi Martins spring to mind. Quite rarely, we see a goalkeeper with such poise and command of his area hailing from Africa (with all due respect).

He has been impressive for Lille as well, keeping 11 consecutive clean sheets in the first half of the season. It was really only by the almighty talents of Lionel Messi did Argentina put 3 past him in the group stages, a match that was eventually rendered moot by Bosnia's win over Iran.

Sadly, his tournament came to an end after first palming the ball to Paul Pogba's grateful bonce to head home and then conceding another after Antoine Griezmann's backheel was turned in by Joseph Yobo.

Guilermo Ochoa (Mexico)

The Ted Mosby lookalike is out of contract at the moment after his club was relegated from the French Ligue 1. There should be plenty of takers for next season though as he single-handedly silenced the entire host nation with a show-stopping display against Brazil in the first round.

Unorthodox (the best keepers are) to say the least, Ochoa used everything from his hands, feet and face to keep out the Selecao.In fact, the only goal he conceded in the group stages was a meaningless one from Perisic in Mexico's 3-1 win over Croatia.

He was equally heroic against the Dutch, but was thwarted by an unstoppable strike by Wesley Sneijder and a penalty by Huntelaar. Hopefully, he's done enough to earn himself a move to one of the big boys next season.

Tim Howard (USA)

The USA has never looked that convincing at the World Cup in recent memory. The odd fluke here and there, but Jurgen Klinsmann had a lot to prove getting off the plane in Brazil. The USA came into this tournament without Landon Donovan, their talisman all these years and chose to put their faith in Clint Dempsey and (to a certain extent Jozy Altidore), as well as a crop of German-born American citizens who have a pedigree not far removed from what Klinsmann is comfortable with.

Nonetheless, the real American hero of this World Cup is Tim Howard. Putting on a Hulk like display in the box and repelling shot after shot like his hands were shields made of vibranium (I'll stop now), Tim Howard has come a long way from just another American 'keeper landing in England who happened to suffer from Tourette's Syndrome.

Tim Howard has shown a lot of pride in bouncing back from his disappointing stint at Man Utd, showing consistency and dominance in goal for Everton. He's always been blessed with great handling, but has now added mental toughness and sharpness to his repertoire.

He limited Germany to a single goal, and pulled off a Man of the Match performance against the Portuguese as well as the Belgians. He made altogether 16 saves against the highly-rated Belgians, a new World Cup record.