So apparently getting a cramp is now grounds for getting a yellow card. Or so was the case when New Zealand captain Ryan Nelson was carded for going down injured by Guatamlan referee Carlos Batres.
Yet another ridiculous call by a referee in this tournament.
But a continuing story remains that of fallen champions and survival of the minnows. Up against the defending world champions, nobody expected New Zealand to even see much of the ball.
But what has often been the case during this tournament, you can never predict the outcome before 90 minutes of football has been played.
And New Zealand proved today that they are not just here for the ride – they are here to compete, and have the fighting spirit to do so. As coach Ricki Herbert stated after the today’s game about their next match against Paraguay, “We’re gonna be damn tough to beat.”
The All Whites are fast becoming a fan favourite in this tournament, showing good fighting spirit every time they take the pitch.
The 2010 rendition of the World Cup is also not short of controversy. And France appears to be at the centre of the trouble. Nikolas Anelka has been sent home after a clash with coach Raymond Domenech.
Domenech also has a face-off against the trainer at a recent practice, following which resulted in the trainer marching off the pitch. The players followed suit, refusing to train that day.
A coach who doesn’t have the respect of his players, has no hope of winning a World Cup. Sorry France.
Also at the helm of controversy is Malian referee Koman Coulibaly, whose call to disallow the USA goal in their match against Slovenia is being reviewed by FIFA. The problem, for Americans, is that Coulibaly refused to explain to the team why he disallowed the goal, and therefore the players assuming the worst.
FIFA has stated that a decision will be released Monday or later, however, public disciplinary action is unlikely, as FIFA commonly will take care of matters privately by not hiring the referee for more matches at that level in question.
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