Friday 22 June 2018

2018 FIFA World Cup Match 24: Nigeria - Iceland (discussion)

Let's discuss here the performance of Matthew Conger in Nigeria - Iceland. Good luck to the officiating team! 
Match #24
Volgograd, 22 June 2018 17:00 CET
Nigeria - Iceland
Referee: Matthew Conger (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Simon Lount (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tevita Makasini (TGA)
Fourth Official: Ricardo Montero (CRC)
Fifth Official: Hiroshi Yamauchi (JPN)
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
AVAR1: Paweil Gil (POL)
AVAR 2: Elenito Di Liberatore (ITA)
AVAR 3: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)

71 comments:

  1. Remember: If Matthew Conger has a good game, he is technically American! If he has a bad game, it's New Zealand's fault. :P

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  2. Important appointment for Conger! Good luck Matt. Call a great match!

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  3. Good to see a young referee that I have worked with in the states working this match.. Work well Matt.

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  4. In this WC every referee stopped game to warn players because of pulling in penalty area before corner kick. Maybe one more suggestion by FIFA to all referees.

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    1. i noticed the same thing. Matt had a word with the captains at the coin toss about holding as well that the microphones picked up on. I think you are right that there is a FIFA directive of some sort there.

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    2. It’s been obvious. Every match always but if they don’t listen the refs won’t call a foul anyway. They just warn them but do not follow up on it.

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    3. That's the pattern. Warn warn warn and never follow up or follow through. Well, other than Ricci.

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    4. if they did tighten up on holding on set pieces, we would see more goals.

      isnt that what soccer has been needing?

      looking ways to add scoring opportunities?

      calling fouls by LOTG. original idea:)

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    5. Hey Jack, I'm with you brother. Ask anybody here, and they'll tell you that I'm an "Old School, by The Laws of the Game" type of referee. And yeah, that's what FIFA supposedly wants. More goals, attractive attacking football, and Messi like skilled players shining.

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    6. Victor mentoned that suggestion few days ago

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    7. hey ask any ref i work with, cards are my last option if positioning, call sorting, verbal communication all fail.

      but once you exhaust verbal warnings for a 2nd 3rd or even 4th time, players will lose respect because they have no idea where the line is.

      then when the ref finally brings forth his courage, both teams are upset.

      why not carded that last guy?

      why carding me now?

      changing your consistency disrupts play.

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  5. Conger looks very fit. In that past I'd seen his as a little soft around the midsection. But it's clearly visible that he has put in the time and effort off the field to get himself to tip top shape.

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  6. his fitness has been solid since his U20 WC showing in Korea last year.

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  7. nigerian went down a bit soft there IMO

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  8. Very calm game but the ref is showing passion and smiles so that’s good. Players and media like that.

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  9. As 'English' a referee as we will see. Liking him so far

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    1. Aside from him being born in Texas and trained in the United States, of course.

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    2. Mohammed yesterday had a very 'English' style IMO, which surprised me (solid performance, way too harsh criticism on here IMO).
      Conger today also solid, so far a good recommendation for another match.

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  10. Little to do but I like his smiling attitude so far. Solid.

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    1. yeah, you can tell he is having fun out on the pitch.

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    2. Exactly Logan, he has a lot to be proud of so far. Not much to do yet but has a good relationship with the players so far. He'll be very happy at halftime with the way the game's going.

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    3. I'd say so. An official that enjoys himself makes a huge difference among the players.

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  11. Matt has called a good first half IMO. Kept the players honest and developed some good rapport from what can be observed.

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  12. Maybe it seems exaggerated after that Brazil - Costa Rica game, but both teams are playing very honestly, with good sportsmanship, and good respect for the referee. Good first half for Conger despite not much to do besides the correct yellow card.

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    1. agreed...the caution was spot on.

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    2. Night and day in comparison to the other 2 teams in this group which played yesterday.

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  13. We have another boring game there... almost no challenge for referee. YC correct.

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    1. I imagine the second half may get chippy if it remains scoreless, though.

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    2. I doubt it. Iceland's players are very disciplined and always look to play in a Fair manner. However with Nigeria needing the result a bit more. They may kick things up notch. But I think Conger is up to the task.

      Happy to see a referee from a minor confederation (OFC) getting a chance and handling it well (so far).

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    3. Agreed Iceland is very disciplined. If Nigeria goes down, being at risk of elimination, Matt may have a lot of work to do.

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    4. im surprised the iceland managers didnt change the game plan up based on officiating.

      they would be in this match if:

      1-the held more.

      2-ran thru the players more.

      3-punish the legs on every challenge.

      4-kick the ball away to waste time.

      5-simulate more.

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  14. Both teams certainly making it easy for Conger. That is something we all always hope for prior to entering the pitch.

    The match commentator here mentioned that Iceland has yet to pick up a caution. Because of this and after seeing Iceland play. I'm glad that the yellow card accumulation suspension exists. A team like Iceland should indeed be rewarded for their Fair Play. Unfortunately the other two teams in their group weren't adequately punished for their anti-football display.

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    1. wish we had a like button

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    2. Can't believe that I'm saying this, but I 100% agree with Sheriff!!

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  15. GREAT advantage call by Conger!

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  16. Brilliant advantage before the goal. Good job from Conger!

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  17. 63min. YC for tactical foul Ndidi ag. Gislason? For me possible but not mandatory. We are discussing here...

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  18. Very good Conger today... He shows the Committee that OFC crews deserves more games!

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    1. I agree Soham. Wouldn't be surprised if Conger gets another even though this is his first WC.

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  19. 80': clear penalty missed, Conger will assign it after a VAR review.

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    1. However his AR had a clear and unobstructed view. Teamwork?

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  20. great work!

    this guy gets it.

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  21. Great VAR intervention again!

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  22. They need to fix this dissent problem about VAR ASAP !!! you can't let players/managers do the tv sign or ask (i mean yell) to get VAR !!

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    1. It's yet another "empty threat" that never gets any sort of follow through. Add it to the list of simulation, wrestling in the box on every set play, verbal and/or physical displays of dissent towards referee's. All things that FIFA continuously says that it wants to "clamp down" on or eradicate.

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  23. Great VAR work and call down to Conger!

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  24. Conger got that decision wrong in real time but the most important thing is that he got it right in the end!

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  25. Now we could see what slow motion saw the ref. Incredible that he had the worst angle to see whether it was PK. Luckily he made correct decision, but there was much better angle from the right hand side to see the foul properly.

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    1. He also seemed not completely convinced. I had the impression, he was rather trusting Irrati on the decision.
      Might be different though.

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    2. How do you know he sees exactly what we see on tv?

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    3. I think so. After he saw replay, I think he talked again with Irrati and then made final decision. I can't explain why he had only to watch the incident from one angle, when there are so many technical solutions.

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    4. I agree he didn't seemed convinced initially. it was difficult to see who got the touch on the ball and who initiated contact with the other player. that what VAR is there for in the big picture, though...

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  26. I'm glad that VAR intervened and that Conger got it right after OFR. But that was a clear foul. The Nigerian player was nowhere near to playing the ball. It was actually quite imposible for the Nigerian to win the ball from his positon. I get the feeling though, that Conger didn't have the best angle to properly evaluate the challenge. His AR on that side however had a prime and unobstructed view of it and probably should have assisted Conger.

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    1. Exactly. In real speed difficult to see, especially when you are not in the best position. AR could have it spotted.

      I have to say that before the WC I was really sceptic about VAR, but they really convinced me. I was expecting a disaster like Confed Cup, they really learnt from their mistakes!

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    2. Fully agreed with you both!

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    3. I'm still not fully sold on VAR. Too many situations missed or overlooked IMO. The last few games have begun the redemption process however. As VAR has played an important part and has corrected decisions.

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  27. It's been a great game for Conger (apart from the missed PK which he needed the VAR to save him on). I really hope he gets another game in the Group Stage. Maybe if he's lucky, even a Round of 16 game?

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  28. yeah, I'm thinking he deserves another one too. KO stage would be awesome.

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  29. Substitution at 89:50 for NIG#08, absolutely no comparison between Roldan's and Congers' management, NZL referee was active, talkative, humble etc.

    Good job for the OFC trio, in an easy going match. I hope to see them again in hopefully a harder test on MD3, but I think a KO match is asking too much.

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    1. And most importantly no chewing gum :D

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    2. As a big Mark Geiger fan, Soham, how dare you diss the chewing gum!?

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    3. Oh that's true, Geiger is a gum guy also. Hmmmmm.......Lol :D

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  30. Despite the missed penalty call initially, I think it was an at least decent performance. Liked his personality, good foul detection, otherwise not really challenged. A 2nd appointment might be possible.

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  31. yes i wanna see him in a real match. his game mgmt might be superior to the last to guys we saw.

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  32. I think his management through personality kept the match in balance. IMO good officiating is as much about personality as it is about making the correct calls. Conger did well in both areas.

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  33. After attending an A league game Conger was refereeing in October it is obvious to see that he put the work in on his fitness. Was a good performance overall. Would liked to have seen his AR help him on the penalty but VAR with correct intervention. Hope he gets another group stage game.

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