Italy Advances
I didn't bother watching the game, but I'll assume the penalty that cost the "Socceroos" the game was the result of an Italian dive.
posted by andy grabia @ 12:53 PM
6 long time listeners, first time callers
Monday, June 26, 2006
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The penalty was 50-50. It's not an absolute outrage that it was called, but at the same time many officials would have let it go because (a) it was not a direct tackle to the attacker's body, and (b) coming with 5 seconds left in injury time, it obviously was going to determine the outcome. Given the stakes involved, I think it's unfortunate the game was decided this way.
Given the recent match-fixing troubles, it also seems remarkable that any official would order a penalty at that time in the game. I can only assume Luis Medina Cantalejo's bank records are being pulled as we speak.
The poor Swiss. They play 390+ minutes of soccer at the Group and round-of-16, and don't concede a single goal. And then they can't find the net against Ukraine, even in the penalty shootout. If I had time, I'd write a post with the obvious title Swiss Miss, but there's not much to say other than "sorry."
Please don't compare the two. The red card was harsh; the penalty was bordering on sexual assault by the referee. The Italian figured he wouldn't get to the ball in time, so he made sure to "trip over the defender." It was a disgraceful dive of the sort that is far too common in the otherwise-beautiful game, and unfortunately it came at the worst possible time for the Socceroos. And, you know, for the dignity of the sport.
And re: Switzerland: We see yet again why shootouts are stupid. See also: the 2005 World Women's Hockey Championship, where Canada settled for silver despite not allowing a goal in the entire tournament.
The Swiss were the first team ever to be disqualified from the World Cup without ever giving up a goal.
And I always assume the Italians are diving.
And what the hell was with the Totti thumb-suck, btw? It was quite possibly the queerest thing I have ever seen in a soccer game, and that includes the penis biting incident from a few years back.
2 thoughts on Brasil:
1. That second goal against Ghana should have been called back for offside.
2. While the country is renowned for its beautiful women, Brasil also seems to produce a whole lot of ugly male soccer players.
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