Ukraine 2-0-0-3-1-(+2) Nigeria 1-0-1-4-2-(+2) USA 1-0-1-3-2-(+1) Qatar 0-0-2-0-5-(-5) What I'm hoping for US 2-0 Qatar Nigeria 1-0 Ukraine USA 2-0-1-5-2- (+3)* Nigeria 2-0-1-5-2- (+3) Ukraine 2-0-1-3-2- (+1) Qatar 0-0-3-0-7- (-7) *-Win group on the 4th tiebreaker
In which case the USA, Nigeria and Ukraine would all advance anyway. 4 of the 6 third place teams will go through, so the USA should be ok.
So why didn’t the Dutch ref call a drop ball Referees are scoring goals in Dutch amateur football now! 👀pic.twitter.com/0ck9RuHN9N— football.london (@Football_LDN) May 25, 2019
Because that game wasn't played with the new Laws of the Game, unfortunately. The U-20 WC is playing under the 2019/2020 Laws, which require a dropped ball when the ball strikes the referee and has an effect on the game (change of possession, scoring opportunity, etc). I gotta look it up for the precise wording. Honestly, this shit is exactly why Dr Joe is kept around, but apparently he still sucks at his job.
From the summary of Law changes document: "If the ball touches the referee (or another match official) and goes into the goal, team possession changes or a promising attack starts, a dropped ball is awarded"
The game was obviously called from a closet somewhere and the production did nobody any favors. I almost felt bad for anyone watching trying to judge what was happening. It has become part of a broadcast to include a graphic of a potential VAR moment, but unless in-stadium, it can be very hard to know what is happening without reviews or good shots of the officials.
Here's a link to all the details on the Law changes for anyone interested. These will not come into effect in MLS until next year. http://theifab.com/document/for-football-bodies