RSS
ATOM
advertisement
World Cup 2010: USA 1-0 Algeria: Referee Analysis
Goal.com's Luis Bueno analyzes the match officials' performances in the USA-Algeria match.
Jun 23, 2010 1:01:00 PM
By Luis Bueno
Try as they might, the referees could not cost the United States another match.
Days after a stinging and upsetting decision that cost the United States a victory over Slovenia, the U.S. was on the receiving end of yet another cruel decision as an early Clint Dempsey goal was disallowed.
Landon Donovan saved the day, however, as the United States scored a dramatic match-winner deep in stoppage time to give the Americans a hard-fought and well-deserved 1-0 win.
How did the U.S. fare in terms of the officiating?
What Went Right?
The initial reaction to seeing a Belgian officiating crew - at least they're not from Mali. Belgium is not exactly a world power but the Belgians have a fine footballing tradition and Belgian officials have the opportunity to officiate higher-quality games than their counterparts from Mali.
Match referee Frank de Bleeckere six yellow cards, two on Algerian captain Anther Yahia late in the game. The Algerians were overly physical late in the game and de Bleeckere was there to try and control it.
Jozy Altidore drew several late fouls as well, around the box, and de Bleeckere was on top of the calls. He also did not fall for some late Algerian dives.
What Went Wrong?
Barely 20 minutes in the Americans seemed to have gotten the goal they needed to get through to the second round. Herculez Gomez fired a shot on goal that was blocked, but the rebound came right back to him. Gomez slipped the ball through to Dempsey on the far post, and Dempsey re-directed the ball into the back of the net.
Instead of celebrating their lead, the U.S. was again grimacing after a disallowed goal. Assistant referee Peter Hermans raised his flag. Nadir Belhadj appeared to have been even with Dempsey when the ball was played towards the American attacker, who stood completely unmarked on the far post. But Hermans, an accountant by trade, nullified the goal.
Also, de Bleeckere may have been a bit harsh on DaMarcus Beasley, who picked up a yellow card moments after stepping onto the pitch late in the game.
Aside from the disallowed goal, perhaps the most blatant missed call was a punch that Yahia threw at Dempsey. While it might have been easy to miss - there was a lot of quick movements inside the area when that happened - Yahia didn't exactly try and hide it. Facing the goal, Yahia turned to see Dempsey rushing in and threw a backhanded punch at Dempsey, whose lip was bloodied because of it. The blow was also on Hermans' side and Hermans could have seen it but didn't.
Dempsey in fact took a few elbows during the game that weren't exactly rewarded with calls in favor for the U.S.
What Must Improve?
The stakes will raise significantly on Saturday when the United States plays their Round of 16 match against Group D's second-place side. The officiating must also improve. No botched offside calls. No phantom set-piece fouls. No blown calls of any kind.
Of course, that's too much to ask for. Refereeing in general is quite subjective. But the referees would do well to get the important calls right, in particular goals that should have been legitimate but were wrongly disallowed.
The 2010 World Cup is finally here, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
23 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February
The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.
-
DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream
In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.
-
ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein
Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.
-
LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction
With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?
-
ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment
Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.
Advertisement
Advertisement
