UEFA Playoffs for WC 2018
First legs:
09.11.17 20:45 CET
Northern Ireland - Switzerland
Referee: Ovidiu Haţegan (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Octavian Șovre (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Gheorghe (ROU)
Fourth Official: István Kovács (ROU)
UEFA Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)
UEFA Delegate: Harry M. Been (NED)
09.11.17 20:45 CET
Croatia - Greece
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Elenito Di Liberatore (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mauro Tonolini (ITA)
Fourth Official: Luca Banti (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Hamer (LUX)
UEFA Delegate: Nils Fisketjonn (NOR)
10.11.17 20:45 CET
Sweden - Italy
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bahattin Duran (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tarik Ongun (TUR)
Fourth Official: Hüseyin Göçek (TUR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Sándor Piller (HUN)
UEFA Delegate: Jānis Mežeckis (LVA)
11.11.17 20:45 CET
Denmark - Republic of Ireland
Referee: Milorad Mažić (SRB)
Assistant Referee 1: Milovan Ristić (SRB)
Assistant Referee 2: Dalibor Đurđević (SRB)
Fourth Official: Srđan Jovanović (SRB)
UEFA Referee Observer: Jaap Uilenberg (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Jacques Antenen (SUI)
Croatia - Greece and Northern Ireland - Switzerland first legs are still missing on uefa.com.
ReplyDelete"Live" prediction: Skomina and Eriksson...
I'll go for Skomina and Rocchi...
DeleteHategan for NIR-SWI
DeleteRocchi for CRO-GRE
But I still think that Skomina was originaly planned for one of those 2 games. Beacuse he's appointed with his regular assistants Praprotnik and Vukan which almost never happens in the league.
All in all best of luck for all above mentioned referees.
What made them change his appointment suddenly then? :/
DeleteIt could be that he was appointed for Croatia-Greece but Croatian FA refused his appoitment. Ofcourse this is just a speculation, as I have no reliable info.
DeleteWell likely 🤔 Maybe Rocchi was appointed to Belfast in the beginning... We can only speculate!!
DeleteWhat about Karasev? I think he deserves
ReplyDeletea playoff game...
He does deserve but it's difficult for refs like Skomina and Eriksson to miss out!!
DeleteI think Skomina for Croatia greece
ReplyDeleteWhy did they release appointments of other six games and not those of Northern Ireland-Switzerland and Croatia-Greece.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I think that Croatia-Greece will be quite tough game and it will be interesting if Croatians would accept Skomina for this game.
Skomina is for me the only suitable choice (and probably the wisest choice) for this match, in terms of performances. I think Rocchi may have the other play-off (NIR vs. SUI), because I can't see him handling this game (although I would not be opposed to it).
DeleteRocchi should get NIR vs. SUI, Skomina CRO vs. GRE. It might be better to assign "only" a friendly to Eriksson if they want to protect him or save him for the World Cup, given his rather "shaky" performances in the past two years (though it looks like he's coming back to his old form bit by bit again looking at the past months).
Given these appointments, no space for Kassai anymore...
http://rfs.ru/main/news/national_teams/87990.html
ReplyDeleteNo Skomina for play-off
DeleteSurprising to read that. Skomina having a friendly on the 11th makes it then rather impossible to have a play-off on the 9th. Rocchi being appointed on the 14th could still mean that he has a play-off on the 9th, just like Çakir (handling a play-off, then a friendly a few days later).
DeleteSo very likely Rocchi will handle now Northern Ireland-Switzerland and Croatia-Greece might go to Eriksson then.
IMO rocchi for Cro-Gre and eriksson for nir-sui will be more suitable
DeleteNIR-Switzerland Hategan
DeleteCroatia-Greece Rocchi/Eriksson
Possible that Rocchi has been appointed for one of the two games on 9/11. More difficul for Skomina, with a friendly on 11/11. It would be too close to a very important game. So if Skomina is confirmed only for this friendly, I would say a choice of opportunity, we all remember what happened 4 years ago. Now, even if Skomina is in a very top form, I can understand why FIFA / UEFA didn't want to risk again him in such games. The fate can be very mocking sometimes. Of course this can happen to everybody, but it is better to avoid if possible for a referee who already experienced that (and of course it wasn't his exclusive fault in that game). However, I expect him at WC without doubts, he is in an excellent form, as said.
ReplyDeleteI wanted also to say something about fourth officials choices, waiting for the missing assignments.
Where it was possible, Elite referees were appointed in this role: Zwayer with Brych, Makkelie with Kuipers. Both are already followed by FIFA, at least as VAR. Aytekin for Germany would have been a "more experienced" choice, but it is now clear that Zwayer is ahead of Aytekin at least in FIFA tournaments.
Very particular the choice made with Mateu Lahoz: Jesús Gil Manzano. Despite of having two options as Elite referees, Undiano and Fernández, this choice to appoint a Category 1 like Gil Manzano is a clear signal of his reputation. He is the future at moment, while Undiano and Fernández will retire soon.
For Serbia, excellent assignment for Jovanović, who is clearly the future at high level after Mažić. For Turkey of course Göçek, who is always in Çakır's team. And of course Raczkowski with Marciniak.
I know that is not officialy published on Uefa.com but romanian newspaper already announced that Hategan will be the referee of the game Northern Ireland- Switzerland
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gsp.ro/international/cm-2018/exclusiv-veste-importanta-pentru-ovidiu-hategan-la-ce-meci-a-fost-delegat-arbitrul-roman-524799.html
If this is confirmed by UEFA, a very important assignment for Hategan and to be honest he really deserves it. He's made a massive development over the last 1,5 seasons and that could mean that he's still in the race for a spot in Russia.
DeleteIt's confirmed... It's been a great rise for Hategan in the last season or so!!
DeleteA bit off topic but looks like Viktor Kassai now must be out from the race to Russia :(
ReplyDeleteNow UEFA's website reports Hategan for Northern Ireland - Switzerland and Rocchi for Croatia - Greece. So no Kassai and no Eriksson at playoffs it seems.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2018/matches/index.html
Probably justice has been done :)
DeleteN. Ireland-Switzerland: Hategan-Sovre-Gheorghe-Kovacs
ReplyDeleteCroatia-Greece: Rocchi-Di Liberatore-Tonolini-Banti
Do we think Skomina is safe for WC18?
ReplyDeleteMy instinct right now is that the list is:
Locks (7): Mateu Lahoz, Cakir, Rocchi, Kuipers, Brych, Marciniak, Skomina
Almost Lock (2): Mazic, Karasev
Maybe (2): Eriksson, Hategan
Out (2): Kassai, Turpin and everyone else
If it's 9 referees, I think the list is done. If it's 10, seems like the battle is Eriksson vs. Hategan.
I agree with your list... But Mazic is definitely a lock... Last 2 spots will be between Eriksson, Hategan and maybe Karasev it seems!!
DeleteWhy Mazic "almost lock" He should be among the "locks".
DeleteDifficult to think that he is on the same level of Karasev...
Me and Chefren on the same page here :D
Delete@Usaref
DeleteIMO Mazic is more safe option than Rocchi and Karasev together.
Just to avoid crucial mistakes in playoff and he has a ticket to WC in his pocket.
Of course, I also believe Mazic is going. I just think that of all the top referees, he might have the most to fear. Remember we thought Skomina was a lock last time. Mazic didn't do well in the Confed Cup Final and he's had a couple missed incidents in UCL (including from his ARs).
DeleteAgain, I still think he's going, but if you were to rank the top 8 referees right now, I'd put Mazic at #7 or #8. I do not think he is more safe than Rocchi by any stretch, but maybe I'm reading things wrong.
Also I don't think he's on the same level as Karasev as a referee. I just think that it's almost ta certainty that a Russian has to go and Karasev has improved enough to justify that spot. So he's #9.
If there's a 10th, I think it's between Hategan and Eriksson.
I would not make predictions for Russia based on play off appointments. Four years ago Skomina got play-off but did not go to Brasil. Also, Undiano got play-off match but Velasco went to Brasil. Simillar situatin was in 2009. Play-off went to Brych, Atkinson, Duhamel, Bo-Larsen, Hauge. Neither of them was appointed for South Africa. That is why I think it is all open until the end. I would not exclude Kassai, Eriksson and Karasev so fast.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's much doubt about anything this time... The referees having best form and the best performances are clearly appointed... And unless there are late issues I can't see people like Kassai standing any chance whatsoever... Eriksson does stand a chance though IMO
DeleteI didn't expect Haţegan and this appointment really surprised me.
ReplyDeleteHowever, to make it clear, the reason for which I didn't expect him was the fact that I thought Skomina, Eriksson or Kassai would have got a game. But surely the Romanian in recent times has shown many good performances and he can have a chance for being at WC.
If not as main referee, at least as reserve.
I already had my say about Skomina, but What about Eriksson and Kassai now?
Kassai should definitely be out, Chefren... With the disastrous form and lack of confidence he shouldn't go for a WC... Plus there are issues domestically as well because this season he has done only 3 games... Under these circumstances, he shouldn't go for WC!!
DeleteEriksson situation is more complicated... We can't say he's definitely going and neither can we say he is definitely out after Roma v Chelsea... But with the list of referees being expected in December I don't know how many more chances will Jonas get to prove himself... I just have a feeling Roma v Chelsea was his last chance and that assessment will affect his chances maybe!!
If I remember well I read somewhere that Collina said there is no minimum or maximum number of referees per confederation this time and that only the best will be appointed for Russia. Who knows, maybe we'll have 8 referees from Europe, maybe 12. I think it is all possible, dont forget that there was at least one inovation every season in uefa' competitions since Collina became boss. As Niclas used to say: expected unexpected ;)
ReplyDeleteSo, Skomina is a safe option for WC! Nobody waited for this decision! Does it mean, that Skomina corrected himself in Busacca`s eyes?
ReplyDeleteSkomina has been very good in the last couple of seasons and will surely go for World Cup!!
DeleteGuys I think that some of you are really supporting a dramatic future for Kassai and I feel that you will enjoy if the Hungarian will not be in Russia. I know that latest performaces were not at 2011 level but it seems not so fair for him
ReplyDeleteIf Kassai must stay at home, much more Eriksson have to do, I think. From your comments I feel a biased behaviour
Anyway congratulation to Hategan, very good appointament.
Finally I really don't see the need to appoint Cakir, Brych, Kuipers, Mazic for play off
They are sure names for WC so they don't need to be tested again. They are at risk; if devil will make thier life misstable and unfortunately something of negative will happen they risk to loose WC like happened to Skomina 4 uears ago. I fully agree with Chegten explanation to save him
Imo PLAY OFF would last chance to test Eriksson Kassai and Karasev and to recognize Atkinson's carrier
Kassai and his team had very bad game last season in UCL Bayern - RMA.. I think thats why UEFA/FIFA lost some trust in him..
DeleteThe thing is with Kassai, it is not the first time that he's out of his form. IIRC Bayern-Barcelona in 2013 semifinal was a game full of major mistakes by the refereeing team, he was not called to Brazil later on. I also remember his performance in Leverkusen-Roma in 2015 which was really below expected level and his call to Euro 2016 was at this point for me rather undeserved. He came then back in the second part of the season with a rather well-refereed knockout stage and then a very good EURO (GER-ITA was the probably strongest refereeing performance at the whole tournament). At this moment, I was sure to see the "old" Kassai (from 2010-11) back and I was sure about his call for the World Cup. And remember that in 2016/17, out of 3 CL appointments, Kassai struggled heavily in 2 of them (ManCity-Barcelona and Real-Bayern). The appointments he received show that he's off the focus (why should a former CL final referee then handle matches like Maribor-Liverpool) and remember that Turkey-Croatia (where I thought he was very good, but then missed a clear handball penalty in the opening minutes) was only a replacement appointment.
DeleteTo be honest, looking at all these factors, Kassai should not be called to Russia IMO. Other referees performed much better in the past seasons (Mateu Lahoz for example).
Even PSG v Arsenal last year had 2 red cards where one or both might have been overturned later... Stake just completely puts forward my views on why exactly Kassai shouldn't be selected... Fully agree :)
DeleteTrying to make further thoughts about the appointments, it is interesting to note that after Hațegan in first leg, Brych will handle the return game of Switzerland - Northern Ireland. With a more experienced official on second leg, maybe the appointment of Hațegan has been made safer.
ReplyDeleteOn the other games: for Croatia - Greece two very experienced Elite referees, and I think that more or less the assignments in this case are very similar.
For Sweden - Italy, maybe one could have expected the contrary: Mateu Lahoz in first leg and then, a more experienced (of course, I always mean "experienced" at UEFA and international level) for second leg. So, in my opinion another confirmation that now Mateu Lahoz has a more than high reputation.
Last but not least, and for sure the most interesting choice, at least in my opinion, is the one made for Denmark - Republic of Ireland: Mažić for first leg, Marciniak for second leg. That's a more than excellent signal for the Polish, of course he didn't need that, but once again, you can understand how much impressive was his development in recent times.
Of course these are only my speculations, I don't know whether committee made all these reasoning, before selecting names, but it is surely interesting to discuss. And yes, sometimes first legs can be even more challenging / crucial then second legs, at the end all 8 games are potentially difficult for the referees.
I wish the best to them, but I'm sure that when you appoint names for second legs, without knowing first legs scores and facts, you must act very carefully.
There is something I don't get about Kassai, as I didn't watch any of his games after Bayern-Real Madrid. He seemed to be trusted a lot when he was appointed for that game (plus his 2016 Euro was very good), than we all know how his CL QF ended, but I believe the circumstances and media reaction made the mistakes bigger than they actually were, as it happened with Aytekin. So, for instance, when Soham mentions his "disastrous form and lack of confidence", which games are we referring to? My impression based on the comments on the blogs in the past year was that Eriksson had a series of low average games, never too convincing, whereas for Kassai it was just a one-game crisis, so to say. Maybe someone else has seen more games and can comment on this. Thank you
DeleteIf you track of Kassai's domestic performances you'll note a serious lack of confidence and also his lack of form in the past season has affected all his appointments this season both internationally and domestically... What I said is the opinion I've formed about him recently and Eriksson is much better than that at the moment!!
DeleteKassai lost form in 2012/13 period as well and again the same has happened in 2016/17... He had a good Euro 2016 but then all 3 UCL matches in the upcoming seasons were filled with KMIs and he was sent to UEL twice including once in the group stage... Then 2017 season started with an EL playoff and two absolutely low key CL games... No WC Qualifier appointment in the last round and no playoff... All these are enough to demonstrate how FIFA and UEFA are currently rating him... Eriksson is in a better position than that... Now what I believe is one can't go to the WC just because his name his Viktor Kassai unless performances are there and I'm very sorry to say but performing decently in Liverpool v Maribor can't be your ticket to World Cup... In all fairness there are at least 10-12 candidates who are ahead of Viktor currently and if he's selected ahead of the others it will be plain and simple unfair to other guys who are performing far better than him in bigger games both internationally and domestically!!
DeleteFully agree with you Osborne. Soham and somebody else are blaming too much kassai only for the last QF CL match while Eriksson seems find back motivation and engagement only now that WC is coming........
ReplyDeleteWhen the Committee will sit to choose names if they are convinced that Eriksson is motivated enough for the World Cup and can perform well there then that's all they need... But still I think in all fairness Eriksson must sit out with Kassai as well :)
DeletePlease note that I am not siding specifically with Kassai or Eriksson or anyone else, I am just trying to understand something that I couldn't check by myself.
ReplyDeleteBut giving Kassai low profile games after the bad media attention he got after last CL QF seems kind of obvious, for a while. Then of course we can discuss that he should have recovered earlier, but it seems to me that he didn't have so many opportunities to do that. As for domestic appointments, does that really influence UEFA decisions (unless we are talking about very obvious mistakes)?
One last comment: I also noted that after 2016 Euro he wasn't always at the top of his form (as in PSG-Arsenal - Matchday 1), but than he was given the return leg of the most important QF, with what were thought to be two of the (if not the) strongest teams in CL - the other game was refereed by Rizzoli! So it looks to me that he was one of the very top names and candidates for WC until that game, don't you think?
He was indeed... But that match was the most turbulent one for him in his entire season and his chances went downwards from there... In hindsight I would say after a poor PSG v Arsenal and Manchester City v Barcelona he shouldn't have got Real Madrid v Bayern Munich... He and Kuipers should've been swapped considering Kassai's form was already on the dip but as we know hindsight is a wonderful thing... The loss of form last season plus missed decisions this season (Turkey - Croatia) eventually underlines the fact that he is simply not at his best at this moment... Mateu Lahoz and Marciniak in their peak form has now made it even more difficult... The Real Madrid v Bayern Munich kind of scuppered all his chances... In U-20 World Cup as well he received really unimportant games... Overall what I mean is he is just not upto the level of the other 10-11 referees when selection for WC is made... Domestically Kassai is having troubles as he has featured only in 3 games this season and is missing from the appointments since some weeks... There are lots of rumours going about regarding Hungary's FIFA list submission but what exactly the issue is I have no clue!!
DeleteI don't get the many references to Paris - Arsenal, in an easy match he was good and the Fourth Official recommended two wrong 2YC->RCs that he had to accept. Manchester City - Paris wasn't so bad, a crucial mistake yes but a good management overall in a challenging match. Just weeks before his night in Madrid, he showed a very convincing performance in Roma - Lyon. I didn't even think he was so bad in Madrid, I remember evaluating HIS performance as 7,8(2), but (again) his team wasn't at such a high level.
DeleteYou could say he lost his form again, I only watched a small part of Maribor - Liverpool, but this was not the referee who got an 8,6 in BAR-ACM, not the referee who could manage a WC Semifinal without cards, not the referee who had the best performance at EURO 2016, and moreover not the huge talent UEFA had some years ago- this referee was very average, had to get angry and nervous with the players compared to the fantastic manager he was before and created no assured impression. Of course this was a match a first category could handle in Maribor and should no real gauge, however still. The Kassai I remember could give two very doubtful penalties in a CL Semifinal return and still easily keep control in Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, ironically in Real Madrid - Bayern München.
Feel for Kassai who hasn't had the luckiest constellation (awfully pushed by UEFA, teammates, losing form at unlucky moments) in his career; somehow his Semifinal in Durban will probably be the last WC match in his career.
One excellent point made by Mikael here... The once excellent man manager has now become an angry referee who dishes out cards at a greater than average rate... Sorry to say but he is well past his prime and his natural style is also gone :(
DeleteOT :
ReplyDeleteWhen will the next round of promotions and demotions take place in the various UEFA referee categories??
6 December: meeting of UEFA Referees Committee in Nyon.
DeleteOT
ReplyDeleteFinding some crucial appointments in the CAF zone, if anyone can find any other ones that would be grand. All times UTC
Group A
11/11 1730, Tunisia (13) - Libya (E)
Hamada El Moussa NAMPIANDRAZA, Madagascar
Arsenio Chadreque Marengula, Mozambique
Yahaya Mahamadou, Nigeria
-
11/11 1730, DR Congo (10) - Guinea (E)
?
Group C
11/11 1730, Ivory Coast (8) - Morocco (9)
Bakary Papa GASSAMA, Gambia
Jean-Claude Birumushahu, Burundi
Aden Marwa Range, Kenya
Bakary Camara, Gambia
Group D
10/11 1700, South Africa (4) - Senegal (8)
Janny SIKAZWE, Zambia
Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos, Angola
Berhe Tesfagiorghis, Eritrea
Wisdom Chewe, Zambia
14/11 1930, Burkina Faso (6) - Cape Verde (6)
?
14/11 1930, Senegal - South Africa
?
Tunisia - Libya
DeleteFourth Official: Hubert Marie Bruno Andriamiharisoa (Madagascar)
Group B
10/11
Algeria - Nigeria
Referee: Eric Arnaud Otogo Castane (Gabon)
Assistant Referee 1: Aboubacar Doumbouya (Guinea)
Assistant Referee 2: Seydou Tiama (Burkina Faso)
Fourth Official: Juste Ephrem Zio (Burkina Faso)
11/11
Zambia - Cameroon
Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco)
Assistant Referee 1: Yahya Nouali (Morocco)
Assistant Referee 2: Youssef Mabrouk (Morocco)
Fourth Official: Nouredine El Jaafari (Morocco)
Group D
14/11
Burkina Faso - Cape Verde
Referee: Youssef Essrayri (Tunisia)
Assistant Referee 1: Anouar Hmila (Tunisia)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohsen Ben Salem (Tunisia)
Fourth Official: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia)
Group E
12/11
Ghana - Egypt
Referee: Malang Diedhiou (Senegal)
Assistant Referee 1: Djibril Camara (Senegal)
Assistant Referee 2: El Hadji Malick Samba (Senegal)
Fourth Official: Daouda Gueye (Senegal)
Thank you both. I was waiting for South Africa - Senegal appointment, and I was sure that the referee in charge would have been the best possible choice. Very high reputation for Sikazwe by both CAF and FIFA, I think he is sure for Russia.
DeleteIvory Coast v Morocco is a virtual playoff and expectedly Bakary Papa Gassama is the obvious choice for the game... Hamada Nampiandraza also with an important game in Tunisia... If Tunisia wins they're qualifying for Russia... Nampiandraza and Tessema Weyesa are the future of CAF refereeing!!
DeleteGroup A
Delete11/11
DR Congo - Guinea
Referee: Sidi Alioum (Cameroon)
Assistant Referee 1: Evarist Menkouande (Cameroon)
Assistant Referee 2: Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue (Cameroon)
Fourth Official: Blaise Yuven Ngwa (Cameroon)
Group C
DeleteGabon - Mali
Referee: Jihad Zaghloul Jarisha (Egypt)
Assistant Referee 1: Walid Ahmad Ali (Sudan)
Assistant Referee 2: Mahmoud Ahmad Kamal Abou Ar-Rijal (Egypt)
Fourth Official: Bernard Camille (Seychelles)
Do someone have more friendly appointments for the next week?
ReplyDeleteCommittee member for Mateu Lahoz in Italy - Sweden: Vlado Sajn (SVN). I guess that in all the 8 games we will have committee members, let's see.
ReplyDeleteSo far, Rocchi the only referee without a committee member: big trust for the Italian in this hot game.
ReplyDelete7 players from Croatia and 7 players from Greece are 1 card away from suspension in 2nd leg.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think,will Rocchi adapt to that stat and try to be a bit more lenient to not show many bookings?
It is officially confirmed that all the 8 UEFA games will be played without GLT. The main reason reported by FIFA was that all the previous game of these qualifiers have been played without any technology, so to assure consistency this was the only choice.
ReplyDeleteBut very likely the real reason is that there is still a big conflict between UEFA, FIFA for VAR, GLT, AARs and all that stuff.... that is in my opinion a very sad news. All the officials involved from today to next week will have a very, very huge task.
I hope that nothing will happen, but surely in case they couldn't be blamed too much.
Milorad Mažić, differently from Rocchi and Çakır, with a committee member in Denmark - Republic of Ireland.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Mateu, Mazic, etc could be in the radar for something else apart from the WC...
DeleteHow is red card not given to Greece GK??!?!?!
ReplyDeleteNot an SFP case, not DOGSO, rather SPA. Reckless tackle in my view was punished.
DeleteIm a Croat so maybe im not being objective .
DeleteAbsolutely correct PK given by Rocchi (11') + YC to Greek keeper.
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeletePenalty by Rocchi absolutely correct, I agree also with YC. It is not DOGSO it is not SFP, so YC seems right.
ReplyDeleteEven in case of DOGSO, it was YC because the foul by keeper was a genuine (even though late) attempt to play the ball...
DeleteAgree with you. Another YC by Rocchi, correct.
DeleteI'm trying to follow both games, regarding Hategan so far a correct YC at the beginning for a reckless tackle.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about Hategan. Nothing special to add until now, except his really obvius preventive management before free kicks and corners. Makes a very motivated impression.
DeleteRocchi so far so good.
ReplyDeletePenalty + YC Karnezis (GRE)
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/vbn6y
Onside at 2-0
https://pasteboard.co/GSTEmUb.png
In my opinion the penalty was DOGSO, therefore correct YC.
DeleteThe other chance is that Rocchi issued it, in case of SPA assessment, for reckless tackle. That would be supportable as well. Would have been supportable whistling without card (so SPA).
RC option there was possible only in case of SFP assessment.
Very good performance by Gianluca Rocchi in Zagreb. In the opening minutes, he was immediately present during challenges, clear in his body language. Correct penalty decision and correct YC for the goalkeeper (I assume he punished the reckless nature of the challenge). Also the YC shown to GRE8 is absolutely correct, this made the game much calmer. Well done so far!
ReplyDeleteHope that Hategan is also doing well in Belfast.
Hategan with a penalty call for deliberate handball, but I think it was only shoulder... hopefully I'm wrong but watching some replays I can't spot a punishable touch there.
ReplyDelete57': wrong penalty from Hategan...
ReplyDeleteNo handball, now it will be a very hard challenge for Hategan after this decision.
Confirmed that the ball didn't touch at all the arm... I'm really sorry, in such game, this is more than a crucial mistake.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not wrong, Hategan waited a few seconds before whistling it.
It was only a perception mistake :(
The player who "handled" the ball will also be suspended from the 2nd leg because of the YC given to him. Really bad luck for NIR.
DeleteHategan waited a bit, but only a second or so. Decision was made by himself for sure.
To whistle a penalty in such a game at 0:0, one normally must be very sure. Diffucult to understand how he could detect a (for him) clear deliberate handball here. Unfortunately a very crucial mistake.
DeleteReplay: https://streamable.com/r0p54
DeleteThe nearest player to the supposed "handball" doesn't even think it's a handball as he runs after the ball! The referee only whistles after the SUI player appeals.
Unbelievable - after Henry against Ireland 8 years ago it's the turn of Northern Ireland to be robbed of a WC chance.
Where is the AAR in this game?!
82': penalty appeal by NIR for deliberate handball, correct decision by Hategan this time.
ReplyDelete85': maybe missed PK in favour of SUI becsuse of holding? But I think Hategan gave a goal kick because the ball was out of the field while the cross came in. Would be interesting if the foul occured while ball was still in play, otherwise penalty is technically impossible.
ReplyDeleteHowever, a difficult situation to judge.
According to uefa.com, Hategan whistled a foul in favor of defending team.
DeleteThank you, that changes everything. I trusted the commentary in this situation.
Delete85': following a corner kick, some players falling down in penalty area, maybe a whistle was possible there... some crucial moments for Hategan.
ReplyDeleteEasy-going second half for Rocchi, one more correct YC given (79'), no real challenges for him and his team. By tonight, his ticket for Russia should be more than safe.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like typical blocking a shot on goal by deliberately outstretched hand at first glance. Hategan, from his position, was not able to judge whether the hand was outstretched or not. He had to guess. Only the fourth official could have helped him if he followed the play. I feel for Romanian as it was a very difficult decision to take. Unfortunately, he chose the wrong option there. Video below:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/87wqv
I share your opinion Ray... FIFA needs AAR (at least).
DeleteOutstretched arm? I disagree. At what point in the N. Irish player arm "outstretched"?
DeleteTo me his arm was curled in and close to his body. So no, he wasn't even making his body surface area bigger.
Hategan "guessed" and he guessed wrong. As a referee, you can't guess. Of you didn't see it, then it didn't happen.
IMO it is really bad management by FIFA, that there isn't any VAR, AAR or GLT in these matches. I really don't understand it. Such mistakes as today could be corrected easily with the technology of today. Even an AAR could have helped the referee in some crucial situations (maybe not at this handball, but you'll never know what is going to happen before kick off), they aren't expensive and most of them are very experienced and good teams for years now. UEFA uses them in their qualifiers, why FIFA can't? Everybody knows that these matches are crucial. These human mistakes destroys the work of a national team of the last two years. And they could have big affects of a referee's career. I only say Martin Hansson...
ReplyDeleteBut we have to live with such mistakes.
Sorry, but I am really sad for NIR and also for Hategan that this happened. Maybe FIFA will learn and uses some help the next time...
First thing I want to say again: it is unacceptable that such games, crucial for national teams, must be played without any technology. Ok, maybe for VAR it was impossible, but at least GLT / AARs could have been there. This is the first mistake made by FIFA and UEFA together: they had to find a compromise.
ReplyDeleteSecond important point for discussion: handballs are very difficult situations to read, it is not a coincidence if among the famous mistakes in thehistory of football we have many incidents regarding the assessment of deliberate handball, and of course Hansson in Ireland - France is the paramount example.
Coming to the specific game of Hategan: the Romanian referee was unlucky with such decision to be taken, but I want to underline again what I perceived live. He wasn't sure of the call. Indeed, as already reported, he waited a few before whistling. He saw some players from SUI making complaints by gestures, and I think that in his mind this was something like a confirmation. Of course, he was already about to whistle, but maybe without any "clue" by players, he would have played on. Of course that's only my idea, but I invite you to rewatch the incident live. Honestly, the mistake is justifiable but it should never happen at this level.
If you are not sure, you don't whistle.
In addition, Hategan was more than unlucky also because this decision contributed to: a booked player who will miss second leg without any fault, a win by Switzerland, but also a goal scored away from home, very important in second leg.
I'm sorry, but I repeat myself: this can happen to everybody. FIFA and UEFA have big faults there. They must protect their talented referee, I can imagine another Elite ref making the same mistake there. And of course now the only solution is accepting the mistake. Without other chances, the culture of accepting referees mistakes as part of football must be shared by all of us.
Fully agreed with Chefren, perfect words. Ray called the situation perfectly- logically following the diagonal AR1 Sovre would have an at least better perception on it, but even he couldn't see it (like Rizzoli's handball in Atletico - Barcelona for AR1, if you understand my words, AR wasn't in line to the situation).
DeleteOverall it was great by Hategan before the 0-1, and even quite good afterwards. If you remember Schalke - Ajax, it was just like that but improved: strict line of fouls, great management of dissent- quite rare to see that, but he was more co-operative last night than that EL QF, he good a really good anticipation tonight and felt the match well. After the handball there were some too soft whistles, and a bit less acceptance (naturally, not the fault of his style) but still good.
What a shame for the handball! 7,9(4) would be my mark, a performance on an 8,5 level before the penalty.
Of course, you could be right with the complaining player. Hategan really looked a bit unsure about he should whistle at first. Then it is strange that he whistled the PK.
DeleteIt's always a pity that these mistakes happens especially in WC play off. There won't be a way to eliminate these mistakes completely. But thete are some opportunities to avoid them.
However, I hope that this mistake won't affect Hategan's career. He made a big development through the last years. Hopefully, he'll carry on so motivated.
2nd leg game for Brych will be an interesting one... On the other hand Kuipers can be expected to have an easy game on Sunday considering leg 1 result!!
ReplyDeleteIntensive atmosphere + Home Deficit, thanks to a weak performance in the away match + Two Hot Teams + A Very Good Referee
Delete= Battle of Istanbul ;-)
But in principle I can agree will likely be easier for Kuipers than it could have been.
It wont be that easy for him.
DeleteBoth balkan teams,some players are very passionate,esoecially Freeks.
In reality it depends on result,if Greece takes the lead we can expect lot of dirty plays,now both teams dont have to worry about card suspension so I expect hot clash with lot of work for Kuipers.
I didn't think so intensely in the beginning 🤔🤔
Deleteespecially,Greeks* some mistakes :)
DeleteCan anyone make a video of the first caution, to Schar, in the Northern Ireland-Switzerland match? The Irish manager is arguing it was SFP.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/0c7u3
DeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteYellow seems reasonable, with the contact being so low. But there might simply be enough force present for it to be excessive.
Would it be wrong of someone shows RC?? I think I would have gone for a RC rather than YC here 🤔
DeleteRC wouldn't be a mistake, however YC is definitely supportable.
DeleteKuipers will be observed by a committee member, not the same for Felix Brych in Switzerland.
ReplyDeleteWhat message can we get from it? 🤔🤔
DeleteProbably that the observer appointments in the play-offs don't tell us a lot.
DeleteBecause Kuipers is a certainty for WC and not a candidate for an European final. So Levnikov is just there, because it is a big match.
In typical CAF referee fashion. Zero authority shown by Sikazwe. DFK whistled in favor of Senegal in the 35th minute. But the kick wasn't actually taken by Senegal until the 37th minute. The referee spent 2 whole minutes debating and attempting to get three ball in play. Senegal, who was up 1-0 at the time. Managed the whole situation in their favor. As they got away with a gross display of time wasting. All while Sikazwe showed his complete lack of authority.
ReplyDeleteAnd Sikazwe is Africa's No. 2 😦😦
Delete13 seconds after the kick off and Cakir has already a very challenging game. I think it was a reckless elbow by Swedish player against the opponent, who was bleeding from the nose.
ReplyDeleteReally, really challenging game with an incredible pressure on the referee from the stands.
37': penalty appeal by Sweden, correct decision by Cakir to play on. Buffon clearly hit the ball.
ReplyDeleteGetting harder for Cakir to keep game under control. Very calm and good game management so far.
ReplyDeleteTough game, but overall a good performance by Çakir. No crucial mistakes.
ReplyDeleteThose of you who know the local "big" leagues: Which non-FIFA referees do you have the highest expectations for in for the future?
ReplyDeleteEngland: Attwell, Tierney, Kavanagh?
Spain: Gonzalez Fuertes, Munuera Montero, Trujillo Suarez, Alberola Rojas, De Burgos Bengoetxea, Medie Jimenez?
France: Brisard, Abed, Ben el Hadj, Leonard?
Italy: Abisso, Doveri, Fabbri, Gavillucci, Di Bello, Manganiello, Pairetto, Pasqua?
Germany: Stegemann, Brand, Hartmann, Ittrich, Kampka, Osmers, Cortus, Jablonski, Storks?
Netherlands: Kamphuis, Lindhout, Bax, Van den Kerkhof, Van de Graaf, Dieperink, Martens, Perez?
Sorry for giving a lot of names, but I assume that some of these will be top FIFA names in the near future. But who?
In Italy there's a lack of new good refs. Among those you reported, I would go with Gavillucci and Di Bello. Doveri is already managing big clashes and sometimes shows too much nervosism. Honestly, I don't expect the others to become top refs.
DeleteI would also mention Mariani: last year he had a very good season, this year he's not being appointed for top clashes as I would have expected. We'll see
For Holland, you missed Manschot and Mulder.
DeleteIn my opinion, Kamphuis should be the next FIFA-ref. Lindhout, Muldee and Manschot are doing well. I expect Van de Graaf to become senior once Wiedemeijer/Janssen retire.
For Martens, Perez and Dieperink it's too early to say. They just had their first Eredivisie appointment.
For Germany: Hartmann and Ittrich (both 38) are too old, Cortus and Kampka (both 35) probably as well.
DeleteJablonski (27) and Storks (29) have just been promoted, both are names for the future, but too early to say more.
From the remaining three, Stegemann (32) is leading in experience and appointments (e.g. a relegation/promotion play-off last season)
Brand (28) is already in his 3rd BL season despite of his age and develops quite well.
Osmers (32) seems a good talent as well, but needs more experience.
So my prediction:
Next German FIFA referee: Stegemann or Brand
Next German top FIFA referee: Brand or Osmers
I can speak from England.
DeleteEngland is notoriously poor at the development of young referees, and even in your list the fact you only list three is self explanatory.
FA will request Attwell again for FIFA list, he was rejected last year. Tierney is already 36 so I don't think he's an option, Kavanagh is 32 so he will join FIFA list but I don't think he will ascend beyond First Category. Lower down I would suggest remember the names: Tim Robinson, Robert Jones, Darren England, John Brooks.
And from Scotland, Nick Walsh is a big talent.
I don't rate Tim Robinson too much... But Darren England and Rob Jones are serious talents 😎
DeleteI think that some more cards in Solna could have been given to both teams: Swedish players made several strong tackles and used too much elbows where Italians complained too much and accentuated many contacts. No crucial mistakes but I didn't like the management of the game
ReplyDelete5 minutes played in Honduras. Orsato choosing to turn the game into a debate in place of simply officiating. This approach is not going to work with a Central America team.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note. I hope that Orsato is fully fit and hydrated. The 85*F temperature and 85% humidity is no joke.
10 minutes played in San Pedro Sula. Orsato seems to be "pacing" himself. Avoiding any unnecessary running. However this has resulted so far in Orsato being 15-20 yards from play.
Delete21st minute. Confusion between Orsato and AR1. Offside? Goal kick? Penalty for Australia? It was restarted as an IFK, but there was no offside on the play though.
DeleteThis situation must be rewatched, commentators reported that Orsato had whistled a penalty.
DeleteHowever I invite you to write in the related discussion:
https://law5-theref.blogspot.it/2017/10/2018-fifa-world-cup-intercontinental.html
Otherwise we will have too many comments here...
Sure thing!
ReplyDeleteAnyone got stream link or something like that to watch Mazic? This Serbian TV programs are killing me..
ReplyDeleteYou can try the Mobdro app :)
DeleteSportstream365.com
DeleteE-tribina ;)
Delete15 minutes in the first half... Mazic has everything under control and he is letting the play to develop.
ReplyDeleteNothing much happening in Denmark v Ireland game... Mazic is having an easy match in Copenhagen upto now... So far so good 🙂
ReplyDeleteIMO, too early and therefore wrong offside flag by AR2 a few ago (40'), player was in offside but he was not active / he didn't interfere with the opponent.
ReplyDeleteSo far, nothing else to report in this first half. Expected level by the Serbian crew.
The "classic" Mazic: no cards at all, but at the end he managed it without big issues. There were some protests from the benches but I think the performance was overall OK. Everything will be decided in second leg, good luck to Marciniak for this very important test.
ReplyDeleteI like classic" Mazic no cards style. He let them play hard but not too hard. Missed corner kick from AR1 closser to the end of the game, 4th referee had the best angle to see the deflection. Nothing major. Good game guys, hopefully they will be at WC.
ReplyDeleteGood, expected level from Mazic. Some situations below:
ReplyDelete59' - penalty shout (handball)
https://streamable.com/0semo
66' - illegal use of arms
https://streamable.com/n575v
76' - no foul or careless, reckless, SFP or UB or VC?
https://streamable.com/lsxwn
80' - SPA?
https://streamable.com/kfiqp
59': The body surface is slightly increased, so a penalty would not be wrong, but IMO you don't have to give it.
Delete76': You can't assume intention here, therefore careless is a good decision
66'& 80': Technically both are YCs, but both no card decisions can be justified by his lenient approach
So no complaints from my side :)
Since we reached too many comments in this post, another discussion only for second legs games will be opened today.
ReplyDeleteI want to thank all of you again for your participation.
Marciniak will be observed by Markus Nobs (SUI).
ReplyDeleteI was expecting a committee member for Marciniak... But looks like Mateu Lahoz and Mazic are candidates for European finals this year!!
DeleteNo committee member for Marciniak is a very good signal.
DeleteCommitte trusts him without any doubt.
Trust factor is one thing but not the ultimate thing... If it was so, then Kuipers and Mazic wouldn't have got Committee members as observers... Maybe FIFA wants to look at them for something big in WC!!
Delete