All pre-match discussion of the appointment, play-by-play descriptions and post-match analysis of the officiating performance for this match belong in this thread. Analysis threads in this forum are strictly moderated. Supporters of participating teams are welcome and encouraged to participate. But all posters should take non-analytical posts to the group or rivalries forums. Thank you. Match #43, Denmark - Japan, Group F Referee: Damon (RSA) Assistant 1: Ntagungira (RWA) Assistant 2: Molefe (RSA) Fourth Official: Hansson (SWE)
Would have liked to see a verbal or visual warning to the Japanese players before cautioning for timewasting...twice. Maybe if you tell them to hurry up after 8-10 seconds sitting over a free kick, you don't have to show the yellow card after 15 seconds. And they get the message, and the end goal of getting them to restart more quickly is achieved. Instead, he has had to give 2 cautions for timewasting. We'll see in the 2nd half if Japan got the message. Good yellow card against Denmark for the tactical foul about 30 yards out. Good speed/mobility and foul decisions seem pretty good.
Too quick with the yellows. Wants to be the star of the show. Did you just see him call a foul for a HEAD ball? lol Guy isn't up for the task. His country (the host nation) is out and he feels the need to make a name for SA.
I think his decisions have been fine so far. He was a little quick with the cautions for timewasting IMO but nothing that wasn't justified. As I write this he has given a very good penalty to Denmark. Saying he 'wants to be the star' and is 'trying to make a name for SA' is just silly talk. Referees aren't players.
He seems fine to me, good PK call right now as well. EDIT: Good chance he talked about time wasting before the match, as Japan just needing a tie were always to be watched in this respect.
Really? Looked incredibly weak to me. Appeared as though the Dane felt an arm and then collapsed. Trifling contact all day to me and I'd be thinking real hard about booking for simulation from the view I had.
He went down pretty easily but it still looked like a foul to me. I'll have another look at the replay at the end.
I see a push and the knees crashing together with the Danish player clearly in position to play the ball, so looks like a PK to me.
Damon's reaction to the Danish player who complained about a non hand ball call (good non-call) in the 90th minute with the "you gotta be kiddin' me!" gesture with his arm was great . Seems like a no nonsense guy from what I've seen.
I see the Japanese player with his arms extended full stretch with no attempt to play the ball. easy PK. not sure what teh commentators are bent about
Watched it 3 more times on DVR and it looked soft at best and a dive at worst. Agger's facial expression looked as if he thought he was going to be booked for simulation. PK's are difficult for the ref so I won't hold him to the fire for it. The rest of the game I thought he was too quick with the yellow. I don't want to know the ref was there but unfortunately this game I knew he was. 4/10
As much as fans like to say this, it's not always a good criteria for judging. In many cases referees have to make their presence felt in order to do their job properly.
The PK was make up call for missed PK call against Thomasson where a Japanese defender came in extremely late after Thomasson had booted the ball wide of goal.
"make up" might be too harsh, but I bet that challenge played a role in his thinking. One PK that was on the soft but maybe level that was a no-call, and I think the next legitimate soft one suddenly becomes more clear. I thought the first yellow was too quick, but certainly sent the message loud and clear. I used to live in RSA and Damon certainly has a reputation there for not taking this kind of nonsense. I also really liked that he balanced the tactical cards with carding hard fouls. Finally, I know some posters like the Belgian referee, but in my mind Damon is the perfect contrast to him. Foul recognition aside, Damon had decisive whistles, quick decisions, and sold his calls really, really well. To me, he had the look of a strong referee, although I grant a few of his foul calls did seem soft.
http://fortheintegrityofsoccer.blog...tchescrunch-time-for-the-officials-.html#more Ed Bellion thinks it was a penalty.