Wow, what a day today,especially the Croatia game!
First, Brazil easily wins 4-0, nothing spectacular here, they are looking good. I hope the Chinese do well in their last game but they were clearly overmatched.
Slovenia??????Just put them on the plane right now, how totally pathetic! Two games, two pitiful performances. S. Africa should have scored more goals on them. I can't believe this team made it to the World Cup (then again, I do, they were in the easiest qualifying group, I mean, comeon their closest competitor was...........Greece..WHOA<G>
And now, to the match of the day!
Wow, if there was a soundtrack to this game it must be that Eminem song talking about "Controversy"<g>
Vieri's disallowed goal certainly looked good to me, the AR just had a bad call, momentary judgement lapse, it happens to all refs, me included of course<g> The second goal sure looked a good goal too. BUT we must not take him out to the cleaners right away. Maybe he saw something we did not see! Remember that PK the American ref gave in the last WC, everybody ripped him until that Swedish paper published that photo showing clearly there was indeed a jersey pull!! Maybe something like that will come out. BUT, first, the CR was way too far from the play to get a good look, he should have been closer. Second, in all pregame conferences, I always tell my linesmen I get a first crack to all PK calls, UNLESS something happens in YOUR quadrant and I TOTALLY missed something something VERY obvious....Well, for the AR to call something like that in such a crucial point of the game he either felt very strong about something we saw and everybody missed OR he just a dog for breakfast<g>
Now, Italy deserved it. I also hate it when teams pull back to protect the lead. It happens time and time again and teams never learn. So, I congratulate the Croatians, these players fought hard today and made the Italians pay. Brilliant move by the coach to bench the veteran senior citizens. They sure came back from the dead, now this group is WIDE OPEN. The funny thing will be for Ecuador to beat Mexico and then we go in the final game with ALL equal! (well, Italy first with a +1 goal differential). WOW. I just hope Mexico plays well again and beats Ecuador.
Off to ref 3 games in a row right now, just an awesome day here in Michigan for soccer! |
