Dominic Adiyiah is destined never to forget the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009. The Ghana striker ended up with a phenomenal team and individual treble when the awards were handed out after the dramatic final. FIFA.com presents a full analysis of all the accolades after the absorbing event in North Africa.
adidas Golden Ball: Dominic Adiyiah (Ghana)
The Ghanaian marksman topped the poll for Best Player at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009, amassing 38% of the votes cast by the tournament's accredited media representatives. Adiyiah's star shone brightly in Egypt, not just for his prodigious goalscoring, but also for his ability to pose a permanent threat in the final third and rattle even the most composed of defences. His reward for consistent excellence is the adidas Golden Ball.
adidas Silver Ball: Alex Teixeira (Brazil)
Brazil's Alex Teixeira came off second-best in the nerve-shredding Final, but that in no way takes the gloss off the 19-year-old's accomplished showing in Egypt. A tireless worker with the uncanny ability to turn up in the right place at the right time, he showed bags of talent both as a finisher and a provider.
adidas Bronze Ball: Giuliano (Brazil)
The Brazil captain oozed genuine leadership quality at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, combining the best attributes of a classic playmaker and a hard-working midfield dynamo. Giuliano's dream of the trophy was not to be fulfilled, but he takes home the consolation prize of the adidas Bronze Ball.
adidas Golden Glove: Esteban Alvarado (Costa Rica)
The FIFA Technical Study Group selected the Central Americans' shot-stopper as the best goalkeeper of the tournament, earning him the coveted adidas Golden Glove. Alvarado emerged as a star in a well-balanced team unit, thwarting an array of opposing strikers with a string of fine reaction saves as Costa Rica battled through to the last four. He and his team lost the semi-final and the third-place play-off, but can still be fully satisfied with a creditable showing at the finals.
adidas Golden Shoe: Dominic Adiyiah (Ghana)
Adiyiah finished as top scorer with an impressive eight goals, adding the adidas Golden Shoe to his overall winners' medal and the Golden Ball for best player. The triple triumph emulates the feat achieved by Argentinian hitman Sergio Aguero, who also lifted the FIFA U-20 World Cup trophy, Golden Ball and Golden Shoe in Canada two years ago.
adidas Silver Shoe: Vladimir Koman (Hungary)
The Hungary captain crowned a scintillating performance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 by claiming the adidas Silver Shoe. Koman, playing as a pivot in a slightly withdrawn role, racked up five goals and three assists as he made a major contribution to the Hungarians' storming run to third place.
adidas Bronze Shoe: Aaron Niguez (Spain)
The Spaniards packed for home after the Round of 16, but Aaron Niguez netted four times in as many games and laid on another two goals for team-mates. We will never know where he would have finished had the Spaniards avoided elimination, but it was still sufficient to win the adidas Bronze Shoe.
FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil
Brazil missed out on the trophy by a wafer-thin margin, but they will be at least partly consoled by the FIFA Fair Play Award. The South Americans conducted themselves in a scrupulously fair manner throughout the tournament, and thrilled the crowds with their silky skills too.
