Friday was a rough day for refs at the World Cup…
While the match officials have done a relatively good job so far in a World Cup largely bereft of controversial goals or expulsions, June 18th won’t be forgotten anytime by fans of teams that have legitimate gripes in the area of officiating. Both Germany and USA (and even Serbia to a degree) were hampered by questionable decisions. The first match saw Alberto Mallenco dish out an astonishing nine yellow cards, including two in the first 35 minutes to Miroslav Klose, causing the Bayern Munich star to be sent off. One minute later, the Serbians found the back of the net to produce the shock 1-0 result.
Meanwhile, the Americans suffered a true World Cup travesty when an indefensible foul call resulted in the game-winning goal from substitute Maurice Edu being disallowed. Even worse was Koman Coulibaly’s utter refusal to explain his decision after the match. That the Malian ref was working his first-ever World Cup match was bad enough, but why would he even be put in that position when coming from a country so bereft of top-flight soccer matches? It only served to highlight the absurdity of the fact that not a single American referee was selected for the World Cup. Meanwhile, FIFA selected refs from Uzbekistan, Mali, Malaysia, and Seychelles. Good luck figuring that one out.
Two big countries are now in danger of not advancing…
Germany and England, two countries widely thought to be contenders to advance to at least the semifinals, if not further, are on the brink after two devastating results today. The Three Lions opened their account only four minutes into their Cup opener against USA, but have yet to repeat that feat in the subsequent 176 minutes of play. The seemed lost at times against a vastly inferior Algeria squad, but can be thankful they avoided a humiliating loss that a fluke goal concession would have provided. A win still advances them to the Round of 16, but they’ll need goals because a loss or tie against Slovenia couple with an American win will send them packing their bags to an outraged homeland.
The German predicament is only hypothetical at the moment, but becomes very real if Ghana grabs the full three points against the novice-looking Australians. The Socceroos look even more hapless now considering the team that beat them 4-0 in the opener failed to score in its next match. If Ghana gets to six points they’re almost sure to advance, leaving Germany to fight it out for the last spot with a Serbia squad which they gifted three points today.
Netherlands need to take it up a notch in game two…
The Dutch were considered one of the favorites heading into the tournament and take that mantle for themselves with a convincing win Saturday morning. They looked disjointed for large portions of their first match and only found their first goal when the Danes put it in their own net. The 2-0 scoreline was adequate, but nothing more. A win against Japan puts them in the driver’s seat in Group E, while a loss could relegate Oranje to second status in the group stage.
USA can’t keep playing from behind…
The ineptitude of the Yanks in the opening minutes of big games has become a joke, but it’ll be no laughing matter if it happens against Algeria. They’ve not made it 15 minutes without conceding a goal in this tourney, and a similar pattern exists from past matches. If they get down 1-0 to Algeria it might spell trouble, especially if England defeats Slovenia. Luckily, the Desert Foxes have yet to find the back of the net in either of their games.
Australia might get rocked in its final two games…
The Socceroos will be playing without star (and only capable player on the squad) Tim Cahill, whose dismissal in their opener leaves him suspended for the Ghana match. With Germany’s loss creating an opening in Group D, both Ghana and Serbia will be looking to take advantage by getting the full three against the Aussies. There will also be pressure to run up the score in order to match the Germans in goal differential. With the way Australia played in game one, it might not be too difficult a task.
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