Netherlands vs Italy - Monday 9th June [r]

[roykeanes_safc]

I guess that's what normal ppl normaly call "blocking without ball" (bad translation probably, sorry) and is forbidden in football. Ever was and ever will be forbidden. So your argument doesn't make sense at all.

And like i have already posted there are many things you arent allowed to do but can still get away with.

Come on it maybe in te rule book but what help does that rule give Italy? It was a very harsh decision, the defender did not leap off the field to save his team he came off the field doing his job and as a result his team were punished. Very very harsh imo.

[unclesox]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20080609/i/r4027493887.jpg

(Well into) Halftime

Netherlands 2:0 Italy
1:0 - Van Nistelrooy 26'
2:0 - Sneijder 31'

[code1390]

Wow. I can't believe no one at ESPN know the rules. Wait, yes I can.

[SparkleZ]

1-0
http://i26.tinypic.com/291cn54.gif
2-0
http://i32.tinypic.com/2j0cz5u.gif

[Crimen y Castigo]

i'd like to give props to BigSoccer for having a smarter discussion here than the commentators on espn.

[TariboWest33]

http://vinovo.magnify.net/watch/playlist/CG6LZF55LGZ3K58J
Goals, second one was fantastic, well done Sneider

The best game so far

[Hungry Dave]

I can't believe they're saying that putting your hand up and giving up on the play is the right thign to do. That's terrible defending. Even little kids know you play until the whistle.

[Bujdasz]

GREAT FIRST HALF! What a goal by Schneider

The goal was absolutely marvelous!

[roykeanes_safc]

Wow. I can't believe no one at ESPN know the rules. Wait, yes I can.

Dont worry ITV are lambasting the offside as well

[footyfan1]

i can't believe the first goal hasnt been clearly explained. either it is or isn't there shouldnt be a middle ground here.

There isn't any middle ground on that one. The correct call was made.

[Crimen y Castigo]

I can't believe they're saying that putting your hand up and giving up on the play is the right thign to do. That's terrible defending. Even little kids know you play until the whistle.

exactly. hands down stupidest thing foudy's ever said on camera -- which is saying a lot.

[ricecloudnine]

Hmm... Been playing and watching the game for over 20 years now and wasn't aware of this.. I thought that if an attacker steps off the field, he is no longer offside. Therefore, I assumed that the same rules also applied to the defending team. Anyhoo.. interesting, makes sense though... my apologies to code1390 for my original reaction to his post then. Seems like it's not so clear cut.

Game of the tournament so far I say. Mind you, not like there's much competition so far.
Well, you're not alone as all the commentators are not aware of this rule either. I actually didn't know the exact rule either until I became a ref. From Advice To Referees on the Laws of the Game (11.11):
"A defender who leaves the field during the course of play and does not immediately return must still be considered in determining where the second to last defender is for the purpose of judging which attackers are in an offside position. Such a defender is considered to be on the touch line or goal line closest to his or her off-field position. A defender who leaves the field with the referee's permission (and who thus requires the referee's permission to return) is not included in determining offside position."

[GoodDead]

A defensive player cannot remove hismelf from a play by going behind the end line. He counts, and Ruud was onside, and the goal was the correct call.

He didn't remove himself he was tackled, that in no way was a legit goal and the refs will undoubtedly be kicking themselves for getting it wrong. Although they won't ever admit it.

[!Bob]

Regardless of that first goal, the second was one of the best I have ever seen and Holland definitely have been the better side so far and deserve the lead.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

See what happens when you don't have Robben and Van Persie stinking up the wings, refusing to pass and constantly going on hero runs... That 45 minutes was infinitely better in terms of attacking play then the entirety of your World Cup last time around. More passing, more movement and more chances. Long may it continue. I'm glad their respective injuries forced Van Basten down this route. Pity he will probably be unfairly hailed for it.

[footyfan1]

Wow. I can't believe no one at ESPN know the rules. Wait, yes I can.

Right on. :D

[Bujdasz]

So with the Italians down two what changes are you expecting to be made?

[NGV]

I can't believe they're saying that putting your hand up and giving up on the play is the right thign to do. That's terrible defending. Even little kids know you play until the whistle.
The raised hand routine is pretty dumb, but Italy's defenders were a little unlucky - they probably hadn't noticed that there was an Italian defender lying off the field (I hadn't either, even on the first replay I watched), and in that case pushing up to catch the forward offside would be the correct action.

[!Bob]

1-0
http://i26.tinypic.com/291cn54.gif
2-0
http://i32.tinypic.com/2j0cz5u.gif

Wow...that was bloody quick!

[duality72]

Come on it maybe in te rule book but what help does that rule give Italy? It was a very harsh decision, the defender did not leap off the field to save his team he came off the field doing his job and as a result his team were punished. Very very harsh imo.

Would it have been any less harsh if he'd just fallen on the end line?