The World XI – March

March has come and gone and thus the Molapo Sports Centre selects a Dream Team of the players that shone brightest around the world during the month. We will use the 4-2-3-1 formation that is the most favoured one in world football at the moment...

                              

Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United, England)

The 40 year-old Dutch keeper looks like he’s getting better with age and as he said earlier this year, he is aiming to retire on top. Van der Sar’s inclusion may be disputed seeing as United lost to both Liverpool and Chelsea in March, but Van der Sar has been a dependable performer. He was outstanding in his own cool, calm and collected way in United’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Arsenal and has superbly marshalled a back four missing its best players.

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, Spain)

Possibly the best rightback in world football right now. Ramos had a great game in the Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid, which Jose Mourinho’s side won 2-1, and he gets the nod over Barcelona’s Dani Alves. Now the vice-captain at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ramos has grown in maturity to add to his all-action but skilful style. Madrid won five out of five in all competitions in March and Ramos was a major factor.

David Luiz (Chelsea, England)

Luiz is a shoe-in – undoubtedly world football’s star of March. The Brazil defender has been the player with the most rave reviews and highest selling wigs. Luiz is strong and quick, is a good reader of the game and is assured on the ball. But it’s his goals that have most caught the eye, scoring crucial goals in key wins over Man United and Man City. Oh yes, and of course Luiz put in that nice little knee on Wayne Rooney… 100 points for that, any day.

Adil Rami (Lille, France)

Outstanding defender, tall and strong. Rami is one of the reasons why Lille are four points clear in the French Ligue 1 and on course for a first league title since 1954. Playing for France he starred as Les Blues kept clean sheets against Luxemburg and Croatia – matches in which he was widely touted as the standout performer. Rami is one of the most solid centrebacks in European football right now.

Leighton Baines (Everton, England)

Ashley Cole had another good month in March and was particularly outstanding in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Man City, but its another English leftback that gets the nod in the Molapo Sports Centre's March XI – his name is Leighton Baines. As usual Everton are putting together a late season charge, and this season Baines looks like the cornerstone. But still, it's unfair to label him a three-month wonder, Baines has superb all season and has 11 assists in the English Premier League. Only United’s Nani has more.

Xavi (Barcelona, Spain)

Mr Consistency, Xavi is always an easy choice – but that’s not his fault. He is just simply an outstanding footballer. Calm on the ball and the artistic director of Barcelona’s beautiful orchestra. Xavi ruled both Uefa Champions League ties against Arsenal and apart from his metronomic league form Xavi was also instrumental in Spain’s two wins Euro 2012 qualifying wins against the Czech Republic and Lithuania. Xavi is an amazing footballer.

Phafa Tšosane (Matlama, Lesotho)

Outstanding prospect. Tšosane was thrown in at the deep against SuperSport United in the Caf Champions League earlier this year where excelled away in the first leg but had a weak game in the return. However his performances since have shown why he’s so highly regarded at Matlama. Tšosane elegantly controlled the game against Lioli in Teyateyaneng and was also outstanding in a 1-0 losing effort against Likhopo. The left-footer is definitely one for the future. Gets in the midfield ahead of West Ham superman Scott Parker.

Thulani Serero (Ajax Cape Town, South Africa)

Serero has been the catalyst for Ajax’s stunning form and their rise to the top of South Africa's ABSA Premiership. Scored what turned out to be the winner against Mpumalanga Black Aces early in March before playing a starring role in Ajax’s 3-0 win over title rivals Orlando Pirates. Everybody loves Thulani Serero and on current form it’s very easy to see why.

Matt Jarvis (Wolves, England)

Relegation threatened Wolves are on a four-match unbeaten run and this has largely been down to sizzling form of winger Matt Jarvis. Wolves have played great football all season without really getting the rewards, but Jarvis’s winner against Aston Villa was the type of moment of class that could keep them in the English Premiership. His form earned him a first call up to England's national side and he came on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Ghana.

Luis Suarez (Liverpool, England)

The Uruguay international gets in ahead of Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben in the hole. Suarez has been a revelation for Liverpool since his arrival from Ajax Amsterdam in January with his sublime skill and South American tenacity. Tore apart Liverpool’s archrivals Man United early in the month and then scored an improbable goal against Sunderland to cap a super March for The Cannibal.

Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa)

After going on strike from January 20 until February 15 Killer has returned hungry for goals. His five goals in four appearances since his return have almost single-handedly dragged Sundowns back into the Premier Soccer League title race. Killer capped his Rocky comeback feats by scoring a wonderful last minute winner for Bafana Bafana against African champions Egypt in a Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last weekend. Mphela gets in the dream team ahead of machine-man Samuel Eto’o and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.

March World XI

Edwin van der Sar

Sergio Ramos    David Luiz    Adil Rami   Leighton Baines
 Xavi      Phafa Tšosane

Thulani Serero                              Matt Jarvis

Luis Suarez

Katlego Mphela

Substitutes

Manuel Neuer (Schalke, Germany)

Gary Cahill (Bolton, England)

Marcelo (Real Madrid, Spain)

Scott Parker (West Ham, England)

Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich, Germany)

Neymar (Santos, Brazil)

Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan, Italy)