Monday 2 July 2018

2018 FIFA World Cup Match 54: Belgium - Japan (discussion)

Let's discuss here the performance of Malang Diedhiou in Belgium - Japan. Good luck to the officiating team!
Match #54
Rostov-on-Don, 2 July 2018 20:00 CET
Belgium - Japan
Referee: Malang Diedhiou (SEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Djibril Camara (SEN)
Assistant Referee 2: El Hadji Samba (SEN)
Fourth Official: Bakary Gassama (GAM)
Fifth Official: Jean Claude Birumushahu (BDI)
VAR: Felix Zwayer (GER)
AVAR1: Clément Turpin (FRA)
AVAR 2: Mark Borsch (GER)
AVAR 3: Danny Makkelie (NED)

182 comments:

  1. Interesting to watch how Diedhiou reacts to those many little fouls we have already seen in all japanese matches before...

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    1. Actually, I saw a stat that Japan actually committed less than 30 fouls all in the group stage, which was the lowest of any team. I haven't watched them too much though, only really in the Colombia game which was a little bizarre thanks to the early red card.

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    2. Well they're "racking" them up in the first 15 mins of this match.

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  2. Interesting to analyze this countdown before kick off.
    It seems as the official whistle by referee is not so much important, players just wait for the end of countdown to kick the ball.

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  3. Interesting that Borsch - Brych's assistent is in the VARteam today.

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    1. What's up with Brych? Is it true that he got sent home?

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    2. If it's as it's been reported, that he "ignored" his VAR's. Then his pompous and egotistical self needed or needs to be sent home.

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    3. Why? Borsch has got many games as AVAR2 - just Astroza got more.

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    4. @Sheriff: I support your statement 100%

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    5. Can I see these reports though? I haven't seen anything about it other than in here

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  4. 7' AR2 looks very concentrated, good positioning and movements so far, now a correct application of "Wait and See" technique, with a player in offside not interested in the ball, and then it was reached by a player in a regular position.

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  5. I don't know if it's been mentioned before. But the FIFA Anthem is not being used during the players walk on. The music being played is 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stripes. I wonder why? Anybody know?

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    1. In my expert opinion, the official reason is that "it sounds really badass." :)

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  6. Horacio Elizondo (ARG) The only referee in history to officiate the opening match and Final in the same tournament.

    Has labeled Malang Diedhiou as we say in Spanish. "Un arbitro pita faltas". Meaning that he is too quick on the whistle. Even for minor things.

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    1. I never whistled a WC Final, but I don't see what he's done wrong so far tonight.

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    2. His opinion of him is based not solely on tonight. Prior to the start of every match, Elizondo gives a brief description of each referee. To include his own personal opinion of the type of referee that they are.

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    3. Can you share what he thinks of the other 30-odd referees??

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    4. I could. And I probably should have. But this one stood out to me. As Malang is the only one he's labeled a "Arbitro pita faltas".

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  7. 14' - 15': Penalty kick for belgium? He stays on his feet but I wouldn't have minded that to be called... looks to be a trip to me.

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    1. In a World Cup match, never a penalty... Maybe penalty would be acceptable in a Sunday league match in such a case!

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    2. Not every contact is a foul ... :D

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  8. It seems as we have lost Soham for today, I'm worried :)

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    1. Maybe he calculates the results of R16 or compensates the lack of sleep, which has accumulated since the beginning of World Cup 🤔😃

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    2. Soham asked me to relay the message to you that Diedhiou wears the yellow kit today.

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    3. Maybe he has no internet-data volume left after posting so many comments ;)

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    4. or maybe he is travelling to Moscow to meet Kuipers in person?

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    5. I'm sitting in Saint Petersburg with Skomina, cheering for Japan :D Jokes apart, my holidays are over :(

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    6. 😃😀 Soham, you have been on holidays? Well you are not very serious, how could you dare not to join the debate during the match 🤔😉?

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    7. It was the 15 days break between the two academic sessions in University... Today the new session started so the break is over!

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    8. So had a hectic day after some days of break, on returning watched first 20 minutes of Rocchi and then fell asleep... Woke up in time to watch Diedhiou though :D

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    9. 😃 then you missed the goal scored and "Oscar award" acting by Neymar?

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  9. High foot by Vincent Company in penalty box?

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    1. High foot by referee every time he runs -- a gazelle.

      "High foot" is not an offence. lol

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  10. OT

    Reserve assistant referee Simon Lount has been replaced in Geigers game tommorrow by Tevita Makasni (TGA)

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    1. **fifth official. Finaly i got it right

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    2. "Finally", not "Finaly". :-D

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    3. Sure he represents New Zealand now. But the fact remains that he was born and lived in England (Leicester) for 20 years. Yet he gets assigned to an England match by the geniuses at the FIFA Ref Comm.

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  11. Refinho, where are you ? I miss you.

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  12. Great game so far,,japans want cup :)

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  13. I really like Mr Diedhiou. Natural style, calm, friendly, good flow of the game, in control, explains quickly by using hand gestures, in control, respected. Great!

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  14. My question is : Mateu Lahoz is going to the airport to go back to Valencia or should he prepare for a quarter?

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    1. Maybe just stay in Moscow and wait for more 4th official appointments??

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    2. No I'm just guessing of course... I'm not Collina for sure!

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  15. Just 1-2 comments about diedhiou? He is great so far,,if he was faghani or kuipers we could read at least 70 comments here how he is perfect or etc,,

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    1. But there is nothing to report... No crucial decision or anything... In Faghani and Kuipers' games there were crucial decisions in the 1st half!

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  16. Diedhou better that Rocchi.

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    1. Rocchi's game was much more challenging IMO.

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  17. Watching this scoreline, Björn Kuipers must be happy :D :D

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    1. I care more about referees than Brazil :D

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    2. Brasil must be scared :D :D

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    3. Might also be good news for Mateu Lahoz - as there will probably be a Uefa referee for BRA JPN.

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    4. Already Mazic and Cakir are there for those games! Rather we can have confederation neutrality well maintained in QF stage too!

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    5. 94’ - And now Uefa referees are a little less happy....

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  18. Japan’s odds was 10.5x before the match

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  19. Wrong corner for JPN in 66' , ball didnt cross the line..

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  20. AR1 left behind the play and the line of the ball. So he gambled and signaled the ball out. But his guess was wrong. He was 2-3 steps behind, not the best location to guess.

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    1. AR1 signaled foul. And IMO that wasn't foul from attacker at all.

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  21. Minute 70 clear dissent that must be punished

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  22. Loads of dissent from Japan #15, no yellow unfortunately, but probably in line with the dreaded guidelines :(

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    1. I would have Cautioned. However, Japan has been a relatively "clean" team and the foul called by the AR was most certainly not a foul. Diedhiou came over and gave player a very stern "get out of here" which was immediately complied with.

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  23. Japans perfect so far Fighting but industrial football need Brasil Belgium qf ;)

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  24. 72 wonderful advantages. Leads to a corner which leads to a goal. Perfect.

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  25. Two advantages in 71', nice...
    No YC after that because promising attack wasn't stopped.

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    1. It doesn’t need to be stopped. If it clearly gets effected and slows down a yellow should still be issued.

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    2. I don't agree, sorry

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    3. "interfering" with a promising attack is also a YC according to the LOTG... but we've since this tournament that the LOTG dont really matter :(

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  26. What kind of message can fifa send when we all see that clearly guidelines order refs to let players dissent even with force and excessivity. What a poor image for children education who like football as their lives! Shame...

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    1. And yet FIFA shamefully still displays the "Fair PLay" banner before each match. FIFA stands for, "do as we say, not as we do". Ridiculous!

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  27. Anybody noticed this ? Japan eliminated Senegal on group stage with fair play rule,,( last 10 minutes was shame polonia.japan game) and Senegalian referee appointment for this match,,I don't say referee is bad ,,he is fair so far,,,but interesting appointment,,what do you think guys ? Is it normal ?

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    1. Fifa trust their referees, they are professional. And therefore it is completely fair to have a SEN referee even though JPN eliminated SEN in group stage.

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    2. It shouldn't be a controversy. IMO people make too big a deal of these things in soccer... in hockey for instance referees officiate their own country in the Olympics all the time.

      For me, if it directly affects your country (i.e. if they're in the game/group or if they would play the winner in the next round), then a referee from that country shouldn't be appointed. Other than that, all claims of "conflict of interest" are ridiculous.

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    3. Great answer soccer guy,,you perfect explained this situation ,,well done friend

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    4. Being from Turkey you are used to conspiracy theories :-)

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    5. Haha we love conspiracy theories you know

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  28. Look how the referee before 3-2 right away took max speed because he knew what would happen.

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    1. Usain Bolt from Senegal!

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    2. He is damn really fast, i remember SRB - Costarica..

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    3. Look at that anticipation when Courtois makes the catch... he's already moving well upfield anticipating what's about to happen.

      https://streamable.com/mgwup (really obvious in the replay around the 48s mark)

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    4. I noticed too, what a great sprint.

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    5. I'd like to see Diedhiou in a match with France (which is not likely to happen) to see how fast he runs (he is 45) in comparison to Mbappé (he is 19).I think it might have been a be very interesting "duel" to watch.

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  29. What a game ! Good performance by referee team !

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  30. I would gladly see this referee in any competition anywhere. As for minute 71, I would have gone back before the restart and issue a YC for the offense.

    and wow, what a finish.

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  31. Really sad for Japan here but happy for Diedhiou that he won't need to run the extra 30 mins :')

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  32. Does Courtois throw from inside the box?

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  33. Another game that will be remembered for a long long time

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  34. Three great games from Mr Diedhiou, he makes the difficult art of refereeing look easy. Impressed!

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  35. Very nice game, at least in second half. Diedhiou can be proud of his WC, in any case I think he will not appear again. Good performance.

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  36. Congratulation to Diedhiou and his team. Good job.

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  37. For me a very good performance by Diedhiou with only minor mistakes in a mostly fair game.

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    1. No referee goes through a match without someone claiming minor mistakes. Remember, we have how many camera angles and how many replays? He performed exceptionally well, maintained good control, and was fair. You can't ask for more.

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  38. Honestly I would be happy to see Diedhiou again in this tournament. Really good and consistent performance in all his three games. (Obviously today it was not a challenging game.) Well done!

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    1. Maybe 3rd place match is possible for him

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    2. Agree Filip. I wish for him 3rd place too !

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  39. What do you think about Brasil- Belgium
    And Uruguay- France potanciel hot matches ,,any predictions?

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    1. Brasil Belgium-Irmatov
      Uruguay France-Cakir

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    2. Uruguay-France Mazic
      Brasil-Belgium Geiger/Irmatov

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    3. Uruguay-France Cakir
      Brasil-Belgium Mazic
      Croatia-Russia Ricci

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    4. I will go for Shukralla in Uruguay v France and Cakir in Brazil v Belgium!

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    5. I think there are very, very small chances of seeing Shukralla again. Especially having in mind his second appointment. Probably committee gave a lot of significance to that situation of player returning to field before goal in his first match

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    6. As far as Arbitro Internacional released an information, Shukralla wasn't originally planned for Panama v Tunisia apparently! But yes chances are slim to see him again but still I keep hope as he was much better than Irmatov in his performances!

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    7. Well, that even more proves my point, if they didnt want to give him even second GS match. i repeat again, that situation was probably decisive in his further treatment

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  40. First- I think that Bjron Kuipers would not be a final referee. We have great Pitana, good Mazic also, Faghani. I would like to see Deidhou one more time in championship, probably it will be the match for third place, but do not be suprised if we see Deidhou in final match (like Belqola in 1998).

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    1. So you say Milorad Mazic is better in terms of form/performances currently than Björn Kuipers??

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    2. Maybe fourth official for the final, but I don't think main referee :)

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    3. @Soham it is his opinion, in any case he is entitled to say that. Don't be always aggressive.

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    4. I'm just drawing a conclusion from his statement and asking him if that is what he means! Where do you see me being agressive in that?

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    5. Also, when did I say that he is not entitled to say that?? Of course he can say that and maybe he is right also, who knows!

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    6. Your use of ”!!” and ”??” comes as aggressive. You use it every sentence. Exclamation points is as if you are screaming.

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    7. I had just this perception, based also on the repeated question-marks that you added :) It sounded like: "What are you saying??"

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    8. I would say that without doubt.

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    9. That's just a writing style... Don't read too much into it! :D

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  41. I think that FIFA have a problem to find a match for Serbian.

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    1. I think it would benefit Mazic if COL lose = ENG-SUI/SWE. He could also be an option for URU-FRA.

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    2. Switzerland winning would be a problem for Mazic... I can imagine Mazic in Uruguay v France if Committee doesn't want to give Irmatov another game!

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    3. Yeah, Mazic on Switzerland may not be smart. Nit because of him, but because of prevention.

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  42. Nice to get konown with this African, good match again.
    For me trio of the tournament is Faghani, Cakir and Diedhiou. Looking forward to Mazic`s and Skomina`s answers.

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    1. Big as age i suggest D. We are chilling with So at at the section for Kuiper`s match about that, only saying clear penalty, no point to transfer it here.
      Which doesn`t mean i don`t appreciate him as a referee.

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    2. Kuipera is one of my favourite refs, don't know how you misunderstand me

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  43. I think faghani kuipers cakir and pitana strong names for final,,if cakir ( I think he will be referee on Uruguay France match) and if he do great job there,,he will handle final surely,, depends on him performance

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  44. Look,i just think that Pitana is curenttly best referee on WC. He is candidate NO-1 for the final in any case, on example, Conmebol team in the final. Hey, Rizzoli was Uefa referee, Germany is from Uefa. So, this time, Pitana is better than Kuipers at this moment,so i agree with Chefren that Kuipers can be 4th official. Also, DrMr, dont think that Fifa have a problem to find match for Mazic.

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    1. I would hope for Faghani since he has been the best performer of this tournament! :D

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    2. @ref fot I meant Diedhiou not Kuipers, but my fault, I didn't specify it while answering. Kuipers can officiate the final as main referee.

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  45. That became controversial. If someone can find the situation in 114 minute at Kuiper`s game in a video, i will be glad to see it. All such videos, which i watched in the morning are deleted now. Anothers miss that thing.

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    1. If there was any live streaming in any site and channel, you would still find the situation there or maybe in the highlights?

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    2. That are your probabilities, as i said i checked the videos. However, i didn`t need a review for my view and opinion, fully support what i wrote. Just liked the scale of the situation and that contoversy should be noted.

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    3. Well Danny Makkelie as VAR supported the decision of no penalty and he has been appointed as VAR again tomorrow... So that makes it nearly clearly as to what the Committee thinks about the call! No penalty seems to have been evaluated as the correct call!

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    4. Still no answer! Also I made clear my view really understandable to anyone, surely not changed. Of course he will be apppointed, that bold the controversy started - something out of our view.
      Time to leave this match. Also, you can nothing to add, i said most of mine thoughts about that, so it is finished article, cheer the WC.

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  46. So:
    Uruguay - France Mazic (SRB)
    Brazil - Belgium Irmatov (UZB)
    ? - ? Cakir (TUR)
    Russia - Croatia Ricci (BRA)
    _________
    Semifinals: Kuipers and Pitana
    Final: Faghani

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    1. If Belgium progresses to the semi-final, then no Kuipers, I think??

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    2. You don't sure about cakir for qf appointment even he had great performance so far,but you sure about sf and final referees already :)))

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    3. Looks gods to me. However, based on Irmatov’s performance this WC, I would go for Ramos in BRA BEL. Shukralla for Bronze Game.

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    4. @Bugra He is sure about Cakir in QF but the teams will be known tomorrow and that's why we have the question marks in team names!

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    5. I'd switch Irmatov and Cakir.

      I think the final is between Kuipers and Pitana after three good to excellent performances. That depends a lot on the result of Brasil vs. Belgium. If Brasil reaches the SF, I'd appoint Pitana for the other SF and Kuipers for the final. In case Belgium reaches the SF, I'd do it the other way round.

      Predicting wise I'd go with Faghani for the other SF (after the dreadful last minutes of his game he doesn't deserve the game IMHO). Geiger, Diedhiou and Skomina should also be candidates. With Collina and FIFA you also should never rule out the Italian and the Mexican referee.

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    6. Indeed, that's the reason, I'm sure about Cakir, but teams are still unknown, so "?-?" and he can handle this game in any case.
      @Soham with Belgium, Kuipers can handle the other semifinal, I don't see a problem, I think that he can't officiate directly the Belgian team, but the rest is allowed.

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    7. @Blra Excellent point made about Brazil and Belgium... Very crucial for Pitana and Kuipers respectively!

      OT : I hope Brazil thrashes Belgium on Friday :D

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    8. @Chefren Technically he can referee Belgium too but that should be avoided by all means in a World tournament when so many other referees with good performances are available! So yes, maybe the other SF in that case and there is a chance of that being UEFA v UEFA too!

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    9. Belgium could be a problem! Dispite of Thema the absolute top referee so far Is Kuipers!
      In final i think Faghani is on the pitch... not deserved over all because Kuipers was the best so far, then pitana and after that Faghani in a row with 2 or 3 referees!

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    10. Pitana has the same obstacle in Brazil... Brazil reaching SF would mean Pitana can't be kept aside for Final as if Brazil reaches the final he is out... Likewise for Kuipers with Belgium!

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    11. I think Pitana, Kuipers and Çakir will be kept for SF's and final. I don't think Belgium will be in the final. If Brazil makes it, then It Will be Çakir or Kuipers. Faghani, IMHO, is a shoe-in for a SF.

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  47. OT :

    Makkelie appointed as VAR to Geiger in Colombia v England... This is surely a clear indication that Makkelie backing the no penalty award to Spain has been assessed as a correct decision??

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    1. No doubts, it wasn't a clear mistake.
      So far, it seems as we didn't have any crucial mistake by VARs. All situations were always reported, if we trust the rumors reporting that the most discussed incident occurred only because some referees overruled them, but not for VAR's fault.

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    2. Well yeah, not something to be surprised about.

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  48. I see Soham but he is sure about sf and final referees,,and I say it's to Early for names,he must wait till end of the qf games,,there will be 4 great referee more with faghani kuipers and pitana;)

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    1. QF referees can challenge for the Final, I agree! The semi-final referees will be from the names we saw in Round of 16, I think!

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    2. I agree for sf names from r16,but for final we have to wait,and another question for you soham,,what do you think about Senegalian ref for japan game,,you can find my question above,I like your opinions :)

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    3. At this level I don't see any issue with it... Diedhiou was consistent for both teams so no problems!

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  49. I really see Faghani, Pitana and Kuipers on one level - maybe with Cakir, if he has good perf. again in QF. Then all depends on the structure of HF and finals - still Diedhiou, Geiger or (less likely)Shukrallah being rewarded with 3rd place-final.
    What makes me very happy is the fact, that thanks to some convincing performances this ugly discussion about the good profis from UEFA and CONMEBOL and the bad rest from esp.Asua and Africa has disappeared.
    What do you think of more exchange between federations? Why not Skomina or Brych or Rocchi in Africa Cup or Asian CL?
    Why not toprefs from Asia and Africa in European CL?
    Would be helpful working out a common style and similar interpretations of LOTG worldwide!
    What do you think?

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    1. I would like to see that

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    2. I would like to ser that too.

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    3. CONCACAF and AFC have already started a referee exchange program. Irmatov handled the 2nd leg of one the CONCACAF Champions League this season. And a CONCACAF trio will handle a semi final match in the AFC Champions League, later this year. Call me selfish, but I hope that trio is Mexican and is lead by Cesar Arturo Ramos Palazuelos.

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  50. One more: I hope after all the good experiences with VAR at WC Uefa headquarter thinks again about VAR in CL and EL at least in the last ko-rounds beginning from 1/8final! In some cases the outcome of games was really heavily influenced this year!

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    1. As i understood biggest problem of introducing VAR in European competitions is the fact that they are held in a big number of countries and a lot of different broadcasters provide tv broadcast so the issue is who would be able to provide signal to VAR from all matches, because dealing with all of the broadcasters individually and all of them providing for different matches is really hard if not impossible

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    2. Let us not forget the last 2 finals were refereed by UEFA refs. AFC never had a final. So Feghani for the final will be a fair and correct appointment.

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    3. From reading the UEFA documentation on broadcasters, there's one primary broadcaster that provides the cameras, and the feeds for all cameras to the secondary broadcasters.

      So... those feeds would also (logically) be able to go to a VAR input.

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    4. Well, for the ciming season it is too late but they should def. begin preparing for 2019/20!

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  51. The implementation of VAR for any league or tournament is very much an infrastructure problem, and that's a very complex issue. You need either multiple technology/communication redundancy to ensure zero matches occur where VAR was unable to assist, even for a moment, or you need all stadia to have appropriate infrastructure and be willing to pay for the additional referee travel. It's not as easy as wishing it. It will come someday but one big public error and the publicity would be horrible.

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  52. First of all this was a relatively easy game to call. It is rare that one gets too officiate games where neither team is interested in baiting officials into calls. Both these teams fought through challenges and neither appeared interested in cheating in any form. A ref's dream game.

    The above stated, this ref still deserves an A+. The crew was near perfect imo. Two things that stood out were his non-acceptance of Japan taking the free kick in significantly delayed fashion at end of the game, as they appeared interested in doing. The other thing that stood out was his amazing sprint on the game winner. He was dealing with a Japan corner kick at one end, then sprinted down to the opposite penalty box to be perfectly positioned for the game winner. Let's remember, it was his 94th minute too!

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  53. what about Cunha. maybe in Russia-Croatia or England vs Sweden/Switzerland. i don`t expect Ramos in Brasil game, and even Mazic or Lahoz in Russia vs Croatia. in european game i expect a CONMEBOL referee, and for the friday matches FIFA has to risk with Irmatov. still he will get another WC, he is only 40 years.

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    1. Probably 4th at Qfinals.
      Impressing, but Faghani is 40 too.

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  54. Look, I dont know why you talking about the fact that Pitana would not be in the final if Brazil goes to semifinal. Hey, he could be in the final and if Brazil is there, Rizzoli was Uefa referee, Collina was Uefa referee in the final, so I think that we can expect Pitana in the final in any case. I think that VAR mistake at Russia Spain could cost Kuipers the final.

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    1. You honestly think Pitana would be the ref with Brazil in the final? Brazil had no bigger rival than Argentina. It would never happen.

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    2. It will never happen.

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    3. Brazil vetoed Pitana last year and the same will happen this year too I guess!

      Btw how do you know it was a "VAR mistake" in Spain - Russia?? The consensus in general is that it was a correct call and also Makkelie has another appointment as main VAR... All these are indicating that the no penalty has been assessed as correct rather than wrong! In any case Kuipers' lack of another appointment should've nothing to do with that call IMO as it seems to have been assessed as correct!

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    4. I don't know about what mistake you are talking about.
      If you mean the situation in last minute, possible penalty to Spain, it wasn't a clear mistake.

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  55. Fantastic fitness and positioning good use of both verbal and none communication with players

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  56. Why not Skomina in the SF in you opinion ?

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    1. I totally agree with your proposal :-) but it depends much on his performance in today's match. BTW: this World Cup is his first and last at the same time.

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  57. I would like

    FRA - URU CAKIR C.
    CRO - RUX RICCI S.
    BRA - BEL IRMATOV R.
    XXX - YYY MAZIC .

    SEMIFINAL FAGHANI A. AND SKOMINA D.
    FINAL 3/4 AGUILAR J.
    FINAL 1/2 KUIPERS B. (Pitana 4th official)

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