So as I've mentioned I'm not the greatest at understanding this sport.
I've watched a few matches (US - UK, Japan - Cameroon (2nd half), Greece - Nigeria, South Africa - Uraguay, and US - Solvenia). I've been enjoying the multi-ball format. I've not really seen much officiating controversy, until today.
The none call early when Donovan elbowed I forget who on Slovenia, and then the phantom foul on the corner kick at the end that took away the goal, were both just bizarre to me. I'm wondering if I just missed something on either of those. I know the ESPN announcers, especially Alexi Lalas, were ripping on the ref most of the game, but I know Lalas is a homer so I could ignore him.
I'm not about to say that the call cost the US the game. The horrible execution in the first half cost the US the game. They screwed up defensively both times, and they had some good chances offensively that they just didn't do anything with. Had they played the way they could the whole game I'm thinking it would have been a 3 or 4 to 1 drubbing, but they got a 2-2 draw, which is how they played.
It's also interesting that it's basically a "win and your in" scenario for everyone but Alergia in Group C as they would need England to lose or draw, or if England wins, they would want it to be a big win to help them with the goal differential. The other 3 teams will move on with a win though. I understand that pool play can often end up like that with the last round of games, and having several ties just makes that even more likely.
Ah well just some thoughts and a question, as the officiating in that US-Slovenia match did seem pretty poor.
I've watched a few matches (US - UK, Japan - Cameroon (2nd half), Greece - Nigeria, South Africa - Uraguay, and US - Solvenia). I've been enjoying the multi-ball format. I've not really seen much officiating controversy, until today.
The none call early when Donovan elbowed I forget who on Slovenia, and then the phantom foul on the corner kick at the end that took away the goal, were both just bizarre to me. I'm wondering if I just missed something on either of those. I know the ESPN announcers, especially Alexi Lalas, were ripping on the ref most of the game, but I know Lalas is a homer so I could ignore him.
I'm not about to say that the call cost the US the game. The horrible execution in the first half cost the US the game. They screwed up defensively both times, and they had some good chances offensively that they just didn't do anything with. Had they played the way they could the whole game I'm thinking it would have been a 3 or 4 to 1 drubbing, but they got a 2-2 draw, which is how they played.
It's also interesting that it's basically a "win and your in" scenario for everyone but Alergia in Group C as they would need England to lose or draw, or if England wins, they would want it to be a big win to help them with the goal differential. The other 3 teams will move on with a win though. I understand that pool play can often end up like that with the last round of games, and having several ties just makes that even more likely.
Ah well just some thoughts and a question, as the officiating in that US-Slovenia match did seem pretty poor.
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It's all just zeroes and ones and duct tape in the end.
It's all just zeroes and ones and duct tape in the end.