That game was a tale of two halves. Dutch were better in the first half and gassed in the 2nd, where Japan looked better and more dangerous. Instead of bitching people should appreciate what a great game that was. Does it suck that it came down to that penalty kick? Yes, but if Japan finished one of its chances, or Miedema buried her chance in the first half the game would have ended differently. Either way both teams left it all on the field and it was really a spectacular game that I will probably rewatch tonight or tomorrow. Hats off to the Japanese ladies also for being so classy and humble even in a defeat of that magnitude, timing and heartbreak. Really have a lot of respect for them. That said, UP THE ORANJE!! Really proud of the Leeuwinnen today.
FT 2-1. Netherlands 12(5)-(4)12 shots(sog), 3-2 corners, 2-1 offsides, 8-8 fouls, 13-3 tackles, 26-21 clearances, 55% possession, 82% (457/555) - (395/493) 80% passing. Japan flipped a switch on at about 75', and had a stream of chances. But they never quite stopped Beerensteyn on the other end.
Was so frustrated with Miedema there. Ruined good work from Groenen and van de Sanden and her own good work to get by the defender to only shoot right at the keeper.
What replays have people been seeing? It was a clear arm hit on a shot that was headed right into the top left corner.
More European + USA bias in this world cup by officials. The officiating on the whole just hasn't been good enough at this world cup - which I was afraid of going into it. Not to mention, the interpretation of the rules seem to be offensively minded. How are you supposed to defend anything anymore? Just stand there with your hands behind your back, even then they might call handball because it hit your shoulder via VAR. Just not good enough...
Japan were definitely the better team in this game. I am not sure that Nederlands were the favorites in this game. In FIFA rankings Netherlands are number 8, while Japan are number 7.
I only saw one replay. I definitely need to look at that again, because I was not certain and the commentators all said hand ball.
I do NOT care if the call was right or wrong by the laws of the game. It made my granddaughters cry and that makes it wrong. Just for that and no other reason the ref should be flogged naked through every city in France and banned from ever refereeing again and then she should be punished.
It has always been the case that if the ball hits your arm away from your body in the box it's a penalty ESPECIALLY if the ball is headed directly into the net. It's like people don't even watch this game outside of the World Cup sometimes.
People have been saying, "I guess defenders should now have their arms in cuffs behind their back." On this play though, I'll guess I say you guys are saying defenders should just have their arms extended away from their bodies to block certain goals from happening. That shot was rifling right in on the view I got. So, people are saying stopping a certain goal, whether intentional or not, should not be penalized in any way. Fair enough.
The quality of the referees are just... shockingly bad and it doesn’t help women’ football either seeing talentless referees ruining game after game with questionable decisions at best lol
The handball rules for penalty are a joke in general and are ruining soccer. Just remember that the Champions League final got ruined after Liverpool received a joke penalty in the first minute.
I hope your granddaughters at least enjoyed seeing Groenen giving her all. She couldn't make the defensive play on Japan's goal, but she was still an absolute menace defensively who finally got her long ball game more on point in the last third of the match.
How was that a joke penalty? lol he was standing in the box with his arm OVER HIS HEAD and it blocked a dangerous cross into the box. What do people think this is, basketball?
They were the better side in the second half, but I generally hold off on saying "unlucky". You're not unlucky when you can't put away multiple chances.
This is indeed so wrong. Please, tell you granddaughter that when a Japanese loses with honour, it's not a real loss and head can be kept high.
I wasn't referring to this penalty exclusively, I watch a massive amount of football. I'm saying, generally, the officiating at this world cup hasn't been good enough. If you want to talk specifics, what is Kumagai supposed to do in that situation? You can't constantly have your hands behind your back in the penalty box, it's not like her hand was in an unnatural position. Her hand was basically at her side and the ball hits the top of her arm/ shoulder area from a yard out at speed. She's not reaching her hand out to stop the ball. I have an issue with the implementation of the handball rule at this world cup, not the rule itself. But I feel this is going to be a point of contention between us.
What exactly do you expect them to do? Sulk around. First quarterfinal at a World Cup. Why are you bringing out the swearing? Note: I thought the Dutch were the better team in the first 10 or so minutes of the second half. So, not the "whole" 2nd half, but I suppose that doesn't change your point.
It's also worth noting that this has ALWAYS been called this way, whether or not the rule was written that way before. You cannot have your arms away from your body, making yourself bigger, in the box. Period. It's even worse as you can see from that still that it would have been a sure goal if not for the arm blocking the shot.