Do watch the replay. I did several times over.. My understanding of the rule is that the ball HAS to leave the line as the line is part of the field. The ball simply did not leave the field it is clear in the replay.
As I mentioned in earlier posts, in the final of 66 the argument was whether the ball (after hitting the cross bar) had bounced in or out of the goal line. The linesman argued that the ball had crossed the line hence England scored. I was there and I was near the goal, tyhe ball hit the ground barely touching the line but never crossing it. Since then, I have seen films of the play and unfortunately the quality of the film is poor and you cannot really determine it.
Assuming the linesman was correct and the ball did cross the line, you have to use the same standard, i.e. ball crossing the line. Again... this ball never left the field.
Anyway... no sense in dragging this, it is done and te referee invalidated the goal, end of story. I will certainly NOT start to do an "italia-drama" and I doubt the Spaniards will, so it is settle and I will enjoy the following games.
I will say this for the Koreans, they play hard and never gave up, they were able to contain the Spanish offensive, who, in reality should have scored in the first half, but simply did not and a game that they dominated got away from them.
The sad reality for Spain is that it is not the first time where they have held so much promise and for some reason or another, they simply can't make it.... I simply felt that in this cup, they had what it took.
Next game. |
