Amazing to see that the elbow on Kuyt gets about one comment and the mis hit from Vlaar gets lots more....
The elbow wasn't swinging, and was a lot closer to tool than weapon. Yes, it produced a pretty shocking result, but that's not what the decision is based on. Both were missed yellows. (mis hit? come on now)
Holding is a continuing foul. If any of the hold continued into the PA, a PK is the proper call. I think the PK was correct. I suppose it wasn't a red because he was angling to just outside the goal post, so he wasn't actually toward the goal. I cannot fathom anything remotely to justify that not being red.
After watching it a few more times, I'm going to guess that he though the touch was too heavy and the GK was too likely to get the ball for it to be obvious. (I don't agree with that reasoning, but it is the only rationale I can possibly think of as to how he got to that decision.)
The Netherlands start their counter-attack before the full two minutes of stoppage (yes, I'm aware that it's not the official time on TV) and the ref blows the whistle to end the half. How convenient.
I didn't know there was a time limit before RCs can be given! Must be one of those new FIFA LOTG that was put in just before this tournament.
Agreed. The ref didn't want to send him off, but he didn't want to completely screw NED either and found a compromise.
You really start wondering about the neutrality of this refereing forum when everyone correctly get irate at Thiago Silva not getting a red but hardly even mention it was clearly, really clearly, a free kick, not a penalty. And the second goal was clearly offside. Brazil should be 10 men but BOTH Dutch goals came from very clearly refereeing mistakes.
Another poor offside decision from AR2. If we blame him for the PK instead of free kick, then that's three big errors, with barely over half the game played.
Please shut up. Almost every mention of the play considers FK vs PK and it was a close decision that most think was a FK. It was not an error on the same level as the not given DOGSO.
Oke, the first moron who's goign to whine about Robben being a diver needs to rewatch this match. The amount of fouls Brazile is allowed to make on him without getting called is just insane....
My god, for a glorified friendly the partisanship is strong in this thread. Tomorrow should be awful then.