3/4 Playoff Analysis: URU-GER - Archundia (MEX)

I have to agree. Both Archunida and Vergara are on the last World Cup..their last international tournament, and after having done so much, not to get the WC Final.

 

Unlucky for Hector and Benito, FIFA went with a European referee for an all europe final. This will be Hector's second 3rd place game to go along with his semi final in 2006. This will also be his record tying (UAE's Bujsaim is the other but most of his matches were 4ths) 15 total match in world cup finals (14 ARs and 1 5th official). Still a pretty impressive resume considering he has done every FIFA competition at the men's level including the olympics. Very proud of him here in Winnipeg.

 

The fact that Archundia is Mexican and one of the finalists is Spain may have played a part in the selection.

 

From Vergara's Blog

 

Vergara came to National Camp a few years ago when we were in LA. He was part of the crew that worked a US Friendly at HDC with Navarro. After the match, the crew came to our meetings and spoke about the match. Someone asked Vergara about his training and we were all astonished at the dedication he put in. Not about the number of miles or frequency, but about the conditions in which he trained. I knew he was Canadian (obviously) but he doesn't live in one of those Canadian tropics like Toronto in the South or the coastal paradise of Vancouver where there are a few good months every year to train and the bad months can be at least tolerable.

Instead, he lives in Winnipeg where winter temperatures and precipitation are not exactly conducive to heading out for a run. But, he said he still goes out and runs year round nearly every day. He described the conditions in which he has gone out and most of us were pretty amazed. I can say, after hearing about that training regimen, I was very impressed with his dedication. I guess all those frozen runs have certainly gotten him some results...though I would like to have seen him on a final because there is no question he has earned it as much as any referee ever has based on his body of work.

 

Yup, big miss there. Hopefully he didn't fall into the "this is a 3rd place match so it is more of an exhibition than anything" thought process.

 

Absolutley shocking. It wasn't a well disguised challenge either, the ball ended up a fair bit from where he made contact with the leg. I'm not sure how Archundia could have missed it.

The only thought I had is that Archundia is going to be (apparently incredibly) lenient due to the fact that it's a 3rd place game.

 

hmmm, maybe FIFA will look like a genius by the end of this....

 

Very rash challenge by Aogo around the 4' mark, straight leg, studs up into the calf of the opponent's weight-bearing leg. Yikes.




No caution for the handling in the wall by Germany at the other end a couple minutes later?

 

The handler was cautioned, but for me, it really looked like that whole call was from the AR (??). It took Archundia a few seconds to actually blow his whistle after the contact.

 

Thanks. I see the card on GameCast; didn't see it shown live.

 

Well the AR got the goal right, that was good.

 

I think this is the biggest reason. To send off a player in the 4th minute is one if the hardest things to do as a referee. That being said, when he sees the replay he will agree it should have been red.

I believe Cacau was booked for it. The whistle was very late...I wonder if he got that call from his AR or 4th over the mic.

 

Actually "deliberate handling" is only a foul; if it's not deliberate it shouldn't be a foul. Although apparently in this WC it has been a caution every time there is a handling offense.

I think the reason for no red on that early foul was indeed the fact that it was the 4th minute. If that had happened in the 40th or 60th I think he probably would have sent him off.

It's a pretty wide open match and they seem to be doing a pretty good job as a team. It's clear that Archundia trusts his assistants.