the team that plays better for all 90+ minutes doesn't always win.
That is so true... and that is the reason you win games by scoring goals... I had said earlier that Spain needed to score early, I agree with you 100 % the more the game went on and Spain did not score, the more the Koreans rose to the occasion.
They are incredibly fit, they do not give up, regardless of the opponent or the situation, so yes, they work and fought hard. and in the end... made one less error, which gave them the victory.
As for the fouls.... You are allowed to "charge" the opponent with your body and even use your hands in a way that allows you to go forward... BUT, no shoving, no pulling and certainly no tackling from behind.
Tackling calls are tricky, the key is intent, and most times you can see it... other criteria is are you going for the ball or the leg ? hard to see but not impossible... as a referee, you have to concentrate and see how both teams are playing... are they playing clean or simply dirty.... that is why it is important that the players respect you as a referee.... it is a fine line and unfortunately, there are not enough good referees to go around.
There is a lot of kicking that goes on on the shin and knees, falls are hard on the knees... All that at a very fast pace as we have seen. You have t o be very fit to play all 90 minutes of soccer. I never understood why people that play American Football and knew nothing about soccer would laugh and say it was a sissy's game, believe me it is not, there were games I would end up with my ankle or knee, quite swollen and as soon as the muscles would cool off.... the pain would really start. |
