Match #58 - FRA : GER - PITANA (ARG)

Good for him. dog knows that he couldn't get another match after this if Arg makes it past Belgium on Saturday.

 

Have to disagree. He could certainly work the 3rd place match if Argentina were to advance to the Final. A certain female USA FIFA did exactly that.
That said, I'm pleased to see him selected for a quarterfinal. I've watched two of his three matches so far from beginning to end and parts of the third, and believe that he has been wonderful. Not perfect, when examined with HD cameras and slo-mo video, but darn good. I would be pleased to have him as a coach or player. He is consistent, has a clear threshold for acceptable contact, and handles people well.
I'm looking forward to seeing him again and wish for him to have a solid performance.

 

French have been on the Physical side so far this WC and getting bit lucky with iffy or 50/50 calls.

Expect them to be even more tasty against this German team.

 

Said a little prayer for Pitana and his crew...three Hail Marys and added Andy Moss' sig line.

 

Quiet. Too quiet.
Would anyone consider that a push by Hummels on Germany's goal?

 

Penalty shout on Klose.

Debuchy tucked bit of his shirt but probably the right decision.

 

Nice flop by Klose in the 25th minute. No call.

 

This time foul plus flop for Klose (30th)

 

30th: miss ck/gk decision?

 

I thought the foul that led to the first goal was soft.

 

A couple of simple tactical fouls by France, neither cautioned.

 

Agreed. Germany is making it hard to root for them with the exaggeration of fouls.

 

Luis, is that you?

 

Around 43 France asking for handling in the area. Think it was good no call.

 

Replay showed a stomach hit. Even if it had hit the hand, it was not in an unnatural position.

 

You guys are really missing out. On the BBC, Jonathan Pearce (of goal line technology fame) and Mark Lawrenson are speaking really knowledgeably about the numerous mistakes AR1 has made all game. "He's really not helping this referee," opines Lawro.

Now excuse me while I go look up whether it's possible to mute my TV forever.

 

I was going to comment on AR1... His offside mechanic is rather dangerous. When the ball is played through and a player is in offside position he stops running and stands while waiting for involvement. He better be careful, because all it takes is one of those to go wrong to cost the crew because if he decides their not off, and the ball remains in the attacking area, he will be caught out!

I teach my grade 8s and 7s not to do this all the time... this sets a bad example.

 

They're French after all... you are what you eat... must taste good with all that Bouillabaisse and rich French food.

 

That's a fair point, and was especially apparent on his last offside decision, but unfortunately not one that the two of them were making.

 

Yeah. Early in the first half I noticed that it seemed to take him forever to decide between CK/GK on a play right in front of him. Seemed to wait for the CR to make the decision.

 

54 caution to Khedira. Tactical foul, good card.

 

I thought cooling breaks were to occur 30 minutes or later each half. Our did he just allow more time before the restart? 62' or so.

 

AR 1 missed CK for Germany there. 69'

 

Good caution against schweinsteiger in the 80th