Ok, there are a few World Cup matches I want to speak on. First, I hear that Mr. Bruce Arena left the field in the last USA match without shaking hands with the Ghanian head coach or waiting for the US team to leave the pitch. Now I hope this isn’t true. If it is, then it’s perhaps one of the worst examples of poor sportsmanship I’ve heard in some time. It’s bad enough he spent the game sitting down and looking dejected. His poor choices in team selection and substitutions I’ve mentioned before. But this would be a high insult, to the team, Ghana and soccer in general. Please someone tell me it’s not true. IF it is, that’s just one more reason for this World Cup to be Mr. Bruce Arena’s last.
And speaking of poor sportsmanship what was going on in that Netherlands vs. Portugal game? I have never seen such a out of control game. The referee lost control early in the game. The fact that FIFA thought it was important to give cards without first speaking with players, seems to be proven a bad idea by this game. The mere fact that there are more yellow and red cards in this World Cup than any previously is reason enough. But in the round of 16, where you win and go to the quarterfinals or lose and go home, the referee is vital to maintaining an orderly game. Is it physical? Of course, and that was to be expected. But the difference between a physical game and 16 yellow cards and 4 reds is massive. FIFA needs to really work hard on fixing their referees before the critical quarterfinals and further games begin.
There was one great thing that I noticed though. After being ejected with red cards, a Netherlands and Portugal player, who both play on Barcelona, were shown sitting in the stands next to each other discussing something. One would presume it was the referee. It was a difficult game for both teams. One of the worst outcomes is that 2 players are out and 8 have a yellow going into the next round. This will not bode well. It means that the next match will start with a disadvantage, a large one. Referees are not supposed to affect games or the outcomes, but obviously this is not the case here. I feel bad for the Portugal fans. It’s hard to imagine them moving on.
Another thought is that France, a team I have no particular love for moved on today. I really don’t think they should have. The 2nd goal, which came in the 83rd minute was from a cheap call. There was no reason for the yellow, there was no foul. Yes the french player did what every player does, he took a dive. But if the referee or the assistants were watching they would have noticed that. Without that yellow, and the kick that followed there is no second goal. There is also no 3rd goal and Spain would have fought to go to overtime. I think the overall outcome winds up entirely different. Of course I’m not a fan of France so take that as you will.
And if I see another Tony Sinclair, ‘Ready to Tanqueray’ television commercial I’m going to puke. I think the guy is an idiot. Not the Black African American actor but the character he portrays. It’s nice that he is supposed to evoke an image of intellectuality and sophistication, but I feel like he is snobbish, snooty, gauche, a drunk and offensive. You would think that a man as rich as he portends wouldn’t waste such large amounts of money on a fetish for ice cubes. Maybe its just me but I don’t like any of his commercials.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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