World Cup and European leagues

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ralph and BoBo,

While I'm as cynical as the next guy, I certainly hope the call was neither political not corrupt.  But that is exactly why FIFA is a threat to soccer.  NOT requiring referees to explain their reasoning on 'controversial' calls (or even to tell anyone what the hell the call even was! ) is an open invitation to suspect the worst.  Sometimes I think FIFA exists to make the NCAA look good!

It is the parenthetical above which is the most maddening - to this day NO ONE even knows what the call was!!  In every other sport known to man, you at least know WHAT the official called!  [With the possible exception of gymnastics, figure skating, etc., where there is no indication of why a judge gave a 9.4 vs. a 9.8.]

But we are old enough to remember the Olympic figure skating scores in which they threw out the highest and the lowest of a set of 9 scores.

I wonder how many pounds sterling the betting swing in London was for the US tie versus the win?
+1 on the NCAA/FIFA assessment!

I thought of making a FIFA/IOC comparison, but I think the IOC just might be even worse.

[Gray Fox]

Thirty refs for 48 first round games.  I hope he doesn't get another chance.  At least we won't see him again.

[BoBo]

IMHO, the red card that Soccerroo's Harry Kewell's received was another controversial call.

It looked like the ball struck his chest and the upper arm simultaneously.  The upper arm seemed to be perpendicular to the ground and not adducted (the anatomical term meaning not sticking straight out) from the chest wall.  Even tho' the forearm and the hand were extended, the ball did not hit them.

Ball to the arm, not arm to the ball.

I disagree Ralph. I've watched the replay a number of times and it looks to me that while his arm is not sticking straight out, his elbow does gets away from his waist, taking his arm with him, towards the ball. It would've been easier to take a slide step to the right and the ball would've struck him square in the chest.

[Ralph Turner]

IMHO, the red card that Soccerroo's Harry Kewell's received was another controversial call.

It looked like the ball struck his chest and the upper arm simultaneously.  The upper arm seemed to be perpendicular to the ground and not adducted (the anatomical term meaning not sticking straight out) from the chest wall.  Even tho' the forearm and the hand were extended, the ball did not hit them.

Ball to the arm, not arm to the ball.

I disagree Ralph. I've watched the replay a number of times and it looks to me that while his arm is not sticking straight out, his elbow does gets away from his waist, taking his arm with him, towards the ball. It would've been easier to take a slide step to the right and the ball would've struck him square in the chest.

Thanks. I don't know that he could have reacted that quickly but his "forward/sideways motion" would have conveyed intent better.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I want to give a shout-out to an official who got a hard call right.  Drogba's goal against Brazil was a case of such perfect timing on his charge into the box, that I was sure (in real time) that he was offside - the Brazilian keeper's delayed reaction suggests he assumed that too!   Replays showed the goal was good, and kudos to the officials for seeing that.

But boo, hiss to the same referee for the second yellow (therefore red) on Kaka.  Ivorian Keita ran into him from behind, Kaka stuck out his elbow to protect himself (hitting Keita in the chest), Keita fell to the ground as though shot and clutched his face - it may have been the worst acting job I've ever seen (probably worthy of a card itself for flopping) that a ref actually bought!  (Fortunately, Brazil's next game, which Kaka will of course miss, is largely irrelevant.)

The ref also missed Fabiano's handball, perhaps even handballS, on Brazil's second goal, but eventually that didn't matter much (though turning a 1-0 game into a 2-0 game perhaps DID change the tactics).

[Hoosier Titan]

I want to give a shout-out to an official who got a hard call right.  Drogba's goal against Brazil was a case of such perfect timing on his charge into the box, that I was sure (in real time) that he was offside - the Brazilian keeper's delayed reaction suggests he assumed that too!   Replays showed the goal was good, and kudos to the officials for seeing that.

But boo, hiss to the same referee for the second yellow (therefore red) on Kaka.  Ivorian Keita ran into him from behind, Kaka stuck out his elbow to protect himself (hitting Keita in the chest), Keita fell to the ground as though shot and clutched his face - it may have been the worst acting job I've ever seen (probably worthy of a card itself for flopping) that a ref actually bought!  (Fortunately, Brazil's next game, which Kaka will of course miss, is largely irrelevant.)

The ref also missed Fabiano's handball, perhaps even handballS, on Brazil's second goal, but eventually that didn't matter much (though turning a 1-0 game into a 2-0 game perhaps DID change the tactics).

There have been a number of good--i.e. correct--offside calls in the last couple of days. 

I had to do some work and missed what did seem to be multiple handballs by Fabiano, as well as Kaka's first yellow.  I did see the second, which I agree was way beyond overacting--it was dishonest.  I'm coming to see face grabbing as an indicator of diving--unless the replay shows that there actually was real contact to the face, of course.  Sounded like another official who was not ready for prime time.

What an interesting World Cup!  France is nearly eliminated and the team are refusing to train, Spain has already lost to Switzerland, Germany has lost to Serbia, New Zealand (considered one of the weakest two sides in the finals) drew with the Cup holders Italy today, and England is on the ropes.  Lots to happen in the next couple of days.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I did see Kaka's first yellow, and cannot for the life of me remember the circumstances - so I'm guessing it was not particularly cardable action.  Perhaps an over-protest?  He WAS getting a bit testy towards the end.  His dismissal was still a disgrace.

The last ten minutes or so got so 'testy', at one point when the referee walked towards the center I thought he was forfeiting the match!

[sac]

Maybe the dear leader should have hired some Chinese nationals to play instead of just cheer.

Portugal 7 No Korea 0

[BoBo]

Well, it turns out FIFA is completely satisfied with their on-field officials, dispite widespread criticism coming from the 4 corners of the Earth.

This from Jose-Marcia Garcia-Aranda , FIFA Head of refereeing:

Nobody can say the credibility of football is, let's say, in doubt.

It's mind-boggling that they are so out of touch with reality.

[ECSUalum]

Les Blues ont elimine des Copa du Monde!!!!!!!

What a disaster of an appearance, and an embarrassement to the country

South Afgrica played a fantastic match today to send France packing.  Sad RSA were eliminated today.!!!

[Ralph Turner]

Les Blues ont elimine des Copa du Monde!!!!!!!

What a disaster of an appearance, and an embarrassement to the country

South Afgrica played a fantastic match today to send France packing.  Sad RSA were eliminated today.!!!

Bad Karma.  They angered the soccer gods, and they got what they deserved.

[ECSUalum]

Les Blues ont elimine des Copa du Monde!!!!!!!

What a disaster of an appearance, and an embarrassement to the country

South Afgrica played a fantastic match today to send France packing.  Sad RSA were eliminated today.!!!

Bad Karma.  They angered the soccer gods, and they got what they deserved.

Ralph,

Well stated



I predict last 4 standing to be Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, with Argentina/Brazil final!!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Alas, another American goal disallowed improperly.  Offside flag went up, but replay showed Dempsey was not offside.  Later USA at least twice should have scored, but whiffed on easy opportunities.  Still 0-0 at the half.

The good news is that USA is clearly the better side.  I'm optimistic they will eventually break through.

[Hoosier Titan]

Wow!  The cousins are through.  Much better from the English, and great last minutes from the Americans (plus a better game all around).

[ECSUalum]

DONOVAN, ALTIDORE, DEMPSEY UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!