Sunday, bloody Sunday... for referees

Sunday, June 27, 2010


Match 51
Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Germany 4 – 1 England
Place watched:  Tape delay – Living room, Olathe, KS

My Sunday kick-around interfered with me watching this match live, but I knew that almost every likely suspect who might ruin the result was there with me so I would be able to watch this match without knowing the result.  ...Actually, please allow me to back up a bit…

The day after the US is eliminated from a World Cup is always very hard for me.  I suppose it is for any fan, but it is a stern reminder of how far we have to go before we will be an elite team.  It makes me wonder if we will win a World Cup in my lifetime.  My immediate reaction is that we will not.  We have too much ground to make up to reach the teams that are serious contenders.  I think about all of the great sides that have not won:  Hungary in the 50s, Czechoslovakia in the 60s, Holland in the 70s, France in the 80s, Spain… ever… and it pains me deeply.  The United States does not even have a consistent style that we can claim as our own!

But enough about that, it is time to move on and check out 2 countries with rich traditions.  Both England and Germany have styles that are true to their countries.  England are a hard-working bunch.  They have a big target man who can play with his back to goal, knocking down balls for his midfielders to strike with great pace.  Germany are also workman-like, but play with precision like a well-oiled machine.  Both have tasted success in the Cup, but both are also familiar with bitter failure.

They also have an interesting history of playing against one another.  A memorable match played in 1966 pitted the home-town 3 Lions (England), against a powerful West German side in the World Cup final.  [Stay with me if you are getting bored, I am going somewhere with this.]  Regulation could not break the 2 – 2 deadlock.  In the 12th minute of extra time, Geoff Hurst took a shot from just outside of the 6-yard goalie box.  The ball hit the underside of the crossbar, ricocheted down onto the ground and was cleared by a German defender.  The referee consulted with his linesman and awarded England the winning goal.  Germany has been angry ever since!

Fast-forward to Sundays match.  In the 38th minute, England midfielder Frank Lampard hit a shot from just outside of the 18-yard penalty box.  Like the shot from yester-year, it hit the bottom of the crossbar, caromed straight down, and was safely disposed of by Germany.  Unlike the previous controversial goal, however, referee Jorge Larrionda ruled the ball had not crossed the line.  The ruling prevented England from evening the score and they went on to lose the match and exit the Cup.

Pundits on American TV talked about how Germany was the better team on this day and I cannot argue with that reasoning.  I do know, however, that if the scored had been tied, England would not have committed as many men forward as they did on the plays that allowed Germany to score 2 second half counter attack goals.

Regardless, Germany has waited 44 years to enjoy this revenge.  Eat up, lads, it won’t taste much sweeter!


Match 52
Soccer City Stadium - Johannesburg
Argentina 3 – 1 Mexico
Place watched:  Basement, Olathe, KS

Mexico could only last one more day than the US in this tournament.  It was sad to see the last CONCACAF team fall in a Cup that had a lot of early promise.  With the United States finishing first in their group, and Mexico being the class of Group A, but coming up short against Uruguay, we had hoped for so much better.  Unfortunately for Mexico, they ran into Argentina.

Controversy reared its ugly head, once again, on this day.

In the 26th minute, Carlos Tevez put Argentina up a goal.  Replays showed he had been at least 2 yards offside when Lionel Messi’s struck the floated pass that found Tevez's head.  Mexican protests were quelled and play continued.  Mexico conceded another goal shortly before the 1st half ended due to an unfortunate defensive error.

Early in the second half, Tevez scored again on a brilliant strike from about 25 yards.  There would be no disputing this gem as he hit the ball with so much pace, it looked like it was still rising as it hit the net.

A bit of delicious skill by young Mexican striker Javier Hernandez produced a last gasp goal, but Mexico would get no closer.