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| Referees from Czech Republic |
Last Saturday at St James Park in Newcastle, my friend Robert asked me what I was going to write in my blog about Olympics Football. I told him I really don't know.
After 3 matches in 5 days, I know now what to write.
In the first game, Men's Quarterfinal, Brasil beat Honduras 3-2. The key moment occurred midway through the first half when Honduras was leading 1-0. In a span of 2 minutes, the German referee gave 2 yellow cards to the defender Crisanto of Honduras. The second yellow card was harsh, especially because the alleged foul was committed against Neymar, the talented Brasilian star with a habit of falling down theatrically.
with Robert in front of St James Park
with the Brasilian Liberace inside St James Park
In the third game that I saw, Men's Semifinal at Old Trafford, Brasil faced South Korea. The referee came from the Czech Republic and I had a great seat close to the pitch.
The Koreans dominated early but wasted several chances. Once Brasil found their rhythm, they scored. Early in the second half, with the score 1-0 for Brasil, a Korean player was fouled inside the penalty box but the Czech referee let it go. Brasil went on to score 2 more goals and they were the better team. But I left Old Trafford feeling Brasil is too good to need any help from the referees.
If the referees of these 2 games were a bit below average, the one in the second game that I saw was, how should I put this?, amazing.
It was the Women's Semifinal between USA and Canada. It was at Old Trafford. It was a fantastic game. USA won 4-3 in extra time.
But Canada played very well and took the lead 3 times and each time, the Americans came back.
With the score at 3-2 for Canada and 10 minutes left, the Canadian goalie made a save and as she was ready to put the ball in play, the Norwegian referee blew the whistle. At that moment, I was expecting a warning from the referee for a delay of game. But the referee gave a free kick inside the penalty box to the US. It was a decision rarely seen.
The ensuing free kick hit a Canadian player in the hand and the referee called a penalty. It did not look like an intentional handball and other referees may not have given a penalty. In any case, the US scored to tie the game at 3-3.
It was one of those games that I did not want to see a winner and a loser.
3 Olympics football games. 3 European referees. and a few things to debate about.
On Wednesday morning, I flew back to Zurich out of Manchester. It was the day after Brasil vs South Korea. On my flight was an executive from FIFA and his secretary. We spoke briefly about Olympics football. When I mentioned I was at the epic Women's Semifinal match on Monday night, the reply was 'it was fantastic! one cannot write a better story than that!'
I wanted to ask 'You went to the Men's Semifinal but you were not at the Women's Semifinal in the same stadium the night before. Why?'
I did ask if they will go to the Women's Final tonight at Wembley. The reply was yes.
The Women's Final is between USA and Japan. The referee is from Germany.
The Men's Final is on Saturday night. Brasil vs Mexico. The referee is from England.
2 Finals. 2 European referees.
I hope it will be 2 good stories!
at the airport in Manchester
