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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, June 28, 2009

Soccer: Kaka earns Golden Ball award as best player


Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG — Brazil playmaker Kaka was awarded the Golden Ball by FIFA today as the best player of the Confederations Cup.

The soon-to-be Real Madrid midfielder scored two goals at the World Cup warm-up tournament in South Africa, including a last-minute penalty in Brazil's opening match that gave the five-time world champions a 4-3 win over Egypt.

Luis Fabiano, who scored two goals in Brazil's come-from-behind 3-2 win over the United States in the final, won the Golden Shoe award with a tournament-high five goals.

Fabiano also earned the Silver Ball award behind Kaka, and Clint Dempsey of the United States was given the Bronze Ball.

United States goalkeeper Tim Howard, who stopped five Brazilian shots in the first half of Sunday's final and played well throughout the tournament, was awarded the Golden Glove as the competition's best 'keeper.