Fourth game of 2022 FIFA World Cup. Referee from home nation in charge of USA - Wales.
Al Rayyan, 21 November 2022 (20:00 CET)
UNITED STATES - WALES
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT)
Assistant Referee 1: Taleb Al-Marri (QAT)
Assistant Referee 2: Saoud Almaqaleh (QAT)
Fourth Official: Ma Ning (CHN)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Cao Yi (CHN)
Video Assistant Referee: Abdullah Al-Marri (QAT)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rédouane Jiyed (MAR)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Mokrane Gourari (ALG)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Adil Zourak (MAR)
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Elvis Noupue (CMR)
Black kit again for ref team (4/4)
ReplyDeleteI think lot of readers here remember Soham, very passionate member of this blog, who informed us about kit color before every match in 2018 World Cup
Bad start for Al-Jassim. He shouldn´t speak so long with the captains at the draw. He also said speak kind. If the players then doesn´t speak kind and the opponent hear it then he would have trouble
ReplyDeleteMinute 11' very interesting reaction by Al Jassim while booking.
ReplyDeleteExpected advice by Fourth Official for this 100% clear reckless challenge.
Very interesting, but quite important IMO in terms of disciplinary control at the very beginning of the match, especially so close to the benches. Such a clear reckless tackle deserves absolutely NO protests whatsoever.
DeleteAnd now another very clear YC, based on this start of the game, I would be worried for the control of it, but in terms of card selection absolutely excellent.
ReplyDelete#3 also being targeted for Wales
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that we might see a red in this game
ReplyDeleteDont know about that,I think that most players wull calm down after 2 early cards.
DeleteI like this referee. If he keeps this up he is probably final worthy referee
ReplyDeleteNot a chance...
DeleteAnd 2nd YC for US Team, clear and well done by Al Jassim.
ReplyDeleteIntense, physical game so far. Good early YCs but I think his next disciplinary choices will decide the game. I hope he keeps his nerve if the next reckless tackle is from team USA once again
ReplyDeleteI did not like his open, engaging stance towards players, enabling/encouraging dissent. I think this game needs a more isolated leadership figure, but he hasn't paid for this approach so far.
Interesting match!
Not a reckless one, but this 25' tackle (another one between the benches) was an example of the fact that the Qatari referee received your message. I like his approach so far.
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DeleteAgain, I think too much chaotic, when he whistles a foul and he is surrounded by players, his appearance doesn't ensure he can be in control of the game...
ReplyDeleteNow foul on Pulisic not being awarded,some will say not the same criterium
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that every time I go to write a comment here, a goal is scored, haha. Yes, previous YCs were very strict and by the book, yet the foul on Pulisic could should have warranted a YC, IMO, so it will be interesting to see if Al-Jassim can keep control in the second half when things heat up.
DeleteSafe to say that with US goal things will calm down.
ReplyDeleteEntirely justified no YC to Wales there, but then you need to give a stronger warning than that.
ReplyDeleteSimply two options: give an easy YC to Wales to even things out, or show both teams who is boss with an excellent final warning. Al-Jassim's warning didn't seem to succeed.
I'm really not a fan of all these dramatic gestures and running in hot to incidents. For me, all it does it fuel aggressive behaviour as it seems aggressive itself. This is possibly necessary with some teams, but not either of these. I'd much rather he walked over calmly, to help cool situations down, which should mean less players run in. Maybe this is just me being used to English officiating though, I don't know...
ReplyDeleteCompletely agreed! Not an authentic and charismatic leader, and with this approach of (poorly) managing the game I fear he’ll find himself in trouble sooner or later.
DeleteNow YC to Bale...
ReplyDeleteCompletely wrong YC ag. Bale, who tackled the ball and even played it.
ReplyDeleteYup, completely tackled the ball... You just forgot to mention he did so after tackling the player 🤷🏼♂️
DeleteIf he felt the urge to even out sanctions the late and unnecessary challenge of Wales#5 (33.) was the right situation, this YC to Bale makes no sense.
DeleteYes, he might have reacted to the agrieved player's theatrics. I don't trust most players' shrieks of pain, with so much acting these days.
DeleteI think I clearly saw a kick at the back of the opponent's heel by Bale. Completely accidental, as part of the tackle towards the ball (which did happen, I agree), however still a foul for me. Is it enough for YC? I would leave that to referee's discretion, but agree with the decision personally.
DeleteCommentators being extremely critical of the performance so far
ReplyDeleteVisitors on the blog, too
DeleteI suspect the commentators’ takes on the Qatari referee are heavily influenced by the image of Qatar in general that they’re trying to portray. In the US, where Fox has been very complimentary of the country, the commentators have had good things to say about Al Jassim… nothing can be trusted as apolitical in this sense, sadly.
DeleteClear YC now to Mempham,clear shirt pull on Pulisic.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThis referee isn't taking any prisoners. Best performance of the world cup so far. And its only match 4
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think that he should avoid to try to call player with gesture before booking, he did this already twice and in a case he was forced to book without reaching his target. Don't do such gesture if you are not 100% sure player will follow you.
ReplyDeleteBTW I must say that Collina definitely worked hard with all the officials, one could have never guessed all those yellow cards at this tournament (knowing the history), he must be praised.
Completely agree with you on this one. Making such a gesture, following up on it 2 or 3 times and then not caring about the player disobeying shows extreme weakness of the referee's personality. Especially in these cases, where no additional identification of a booked player is necessary (no mass confrontation etc.). However, all in all, I'm quite positively surprised by the Qatari official so far.
DeleteSo we can say that atypical for Asian refs,Jassim has very strict linekinda like Orsato's 1st day.
ReplyDeleteBut too much chaos created by him,not enough convincing body language and too much talking.
All 4 bookings are backed,but still,this feeling of insecurit and we can still expect everything in 2nd half.
He tries to be consequent, but his foul detection is not really consistent. But I am happy that after 4 games we can say that the general line of the refs is much, much more oriented to fullfilling the LOTG than at the last WCs.
ReplyDeleteIn the first half we saw very good management of Wales #5. His first foul on Pulisic, small warning. Second one, bigger warning. Third one, simple yellow card with no protests, because he set it up so well. I think Al-Jassim’s soft skills are nowhere near the likes of e.g. Orsato, but technically he’s been sound.
ReplyDeleteCorrection, the first foul I had in my mind was by #6
DeleteOT: 27 minutes extra time in the Iran-England game (14 minutes in first half, 10 in second half plus extra 3 after they were announced). Definetely not ideal, but is there any alternative? Also, does any referee inspector / observer from FIFA or UEFA or even this blog ever check a referee's extra times to see how "accurate" it is?
ReplyDeleteWell, how to assess the first-half performance? If you go by the book Al-Jassim is doing very well, keeping the match flowing and carding at the right moments. If he keeps control in the second half, a very good performance.
ReplyDeleteBut: his lack of strong body language in player management worries me and I wonder if he will lose control if his technical accuracy suffers. If he does, the scene was already set in 1H.
I guess we will see what happens in the second half!
According to what UEFA and FIFA hope to see in modern refereeing (just avoiding big troubles) no doubts that the performance so far will be assessed as good, but it is clear that in a more challenging context with that approach, the Qatari would struggle (let's say that kindly).
DeleteBTW he did well what he had to do so far, let's see second half
Challenging first half and Al-Jassim gave a good account of himself.
ReplyDeleteI really wonder who is on the forum in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me, but anyone who thinks that this is a good performance at World Cup level and that this referee is one of the 40 best in the world unfortunately has no idea.
He acts like a hyper nervous teenager who is refereeing his first game under observation. No natural authority at all. Totally exaggerated body language. The players from the top leagues don't take him seriously at all.
A good performance from a technical standpoint so far, IMO. All the necessary YC's have been given and I don't really have anything to say about foul selection either (in contrast to some contributors). However, I agree with most of you about the general lack of natural authority in Al-Jassim's presentation tonight, also about a somewhat chaotic rapport with players (although he tries to be strong in crucial moments). Still, a decent performance in a pretty tough game for me and, if he manages to control this game until the end, I will deem his performance as positive.
ReplyDelete+1
Delete2018 version of Irmatov would not survive this World Cup with this strict line 😀
ReplyDeleteThe Argentina - Croatia match with Irmatov still makes me shudder.
DeleteAgain ,shirt pull,crystal clear yc
ReplyDeletePositive surprise for me so far by Al Jassim
ReplyDeleteMissed award of a corner, clear as day
ReplyDelete57. How a throw in can be awarded instead of a Welsh corner kick is beyond me…
ReplyDeleteFantastic decision for no penalty
ReplyDeleteExcellent play on decision in what looked like a clear penalty live (at least for me). Minute 61'.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Very well spotted by the Qatari ref, before the replays I was on penalty as well
DeleteIndeed, and great teaching material on not giving a penalty because "it feels like one" in situations where play is shifted from one side of the area to the other at speed.
DeleteFully agreed, I was quite sure that a penalty should have been given but pictures showed something different…
DeleteAlmost a head-head confrontation with #8 from Wales, a pity that cameras missed the last part... I think this shows again that the referee has to work in this aspect. Not natural in his body language and now he went too far away.
ReplyDeleteHonestly thought he was going to headbutt tge Welsh player
DeleteFor some strange reason the referee decided that a USA player going down after getting touched on the foot was enough to stop play, he's got a different definition of a serious injury to me...
DeleteClear penalty, great decision.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteCorrect decision
ReplyDeleteHow many exaggerated, unnecessary and unnatural gesticulations...
ReplyDeleteYes, all crucial decisions were correct but bigger picture is not that great.
IMO, no different than Mateu Lahoz. But most tend to "worship" him for being unique.
DeleteIf as a referee you lack certain aspects. That in itself does not make you lesser of a referee in comparison to others. You simply make up for what you lack by utilizing other tools at your disposal. After all, we are all different and no two referees are the same. Trying to force all referees into a box by having them all officiate in the exact same manner is asinine. The only thing that unites us is the enforcement of the LoTG. Other than that, we go out and do it in our own way. Allow referees to try and succeed in the manner that best suits them.
ReplyDeleteAgreed to certain extent. But this referee for example will be completely lost in a match like Mexico vs Argentina, even if he reaches the highest technical accuracy possible. In other words, in games of this caliber he’s very useful, in matches on a higher level of difficulty I’m quite sure he won’t be able to manage the game and the players sufficiently.
DeleteIn my humble opinion, that's where those who assign the referees at these tournaments earn their pay. As the assignor, you do your homework on the teams and assign referees accordingly. Based on the referee's strengths and weaknesses.
DeleteFully agree with your second comment, Arbiter, well said.
DeleteAgreed, and those who make the assignments most probably assign their good referees to games like this, and their excellent referees to matches with the sonority of Mexico-Argentina.
DeleteSpeaking neutrally and unbiased. All of the referees at the tournament are "good". Otherwise, they would not have been selected by the Referee Committee.
DeleteNow if we apply bias, personal preferences, or perceived ideas of how a referee should perform. Then yes, you'll see some referees as "excellent" and others as just "good".
Excellent in technical and very good in diisciplinary decisions.
ReplyDeleteQuestion is... how much other aspects can be important?
I would say not that much in this case, because, at least so far, FIFA will be absolutely content!
And we will see Qatari ref in two more matches.
DeleteSorry,but atleast 1 booking missed in span of 2-3 minutes,keep the consistency ref!
ReplyDeleteAgain, 9 minutes of added time. In this case very exaggerated decision, if you ask me...
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that there is someone in VAR room who measures every pause and lost time
DeleteI've been doing that loosely and got +7 mins. I have a feeling that's exactly what they're doing
DeleteDid it again during stoppage time and got an additional+2, which is roughly what was given.
DeleteAdditional time management we have definitely never seen before. In my view, 9 minute is simply too much for some minor breaks.
ReplyDeleteI like it. There is too much wasted time that isn't properly compensated. The match is 90 minutes long. The amount of effective (ball in play) time should be as close to that as possible. Don't reward cheaters.
DeleteThen shorten 1st and 2nd half to 30 minutes and measure the time as in futsal/basketball... Whats the point
DeleteActually, Arsene Wenger made that suggestion not too like ago. TBH, I like it!
DeleteI think we're seeing some totally exaggerated added time in some matches. 9 mins in a match with few injuries and no ofrs
ReplyDeleteWhy should football be the only major sport where the full allotted time isn't played in its entirety? Or at least the closest possible to it.
DeleteMissed RC for DOGSO? :D
ReplyDeleteRC only if it were Ibrahimovic about to shoot. : )
DeleteIbrahimović, Dejan Stanković or Martin (el loco) Palermo
DeleteStrong performance from the Qatari ref, who largely kept up his strong technical accuracy. Excellent call on the penalty area incident with Pulisic and correct penalty to WAL. Outstanding fitness and positioning, as seen at both crucial incidents.
ReplyDeleteRecommended himself for further tasks, but I would still be hesitant to appoint him for a control-based match, due to the player management and presentation issues. Perhaps I am being Euro-centric by focusing on management and Al-Jassim should simply be rewarded for a very good performance?
+
Crucial decisions
Foul detection
Card selection
Fitness
-
Player management
Self-presentation
Based on merit, he should get second game, and this one would be an important test for checking whether he can do better under the negative aspects we saw today. In all cases, getting all major calls right with a more than good card management is a very strong signal. Collina will select the most suitable game for him...
DeleteI get what you mean. But much like I said above about all referees being different. I too think that we can't properly assess a referee's performance solely based on our individual preference of style or perceived expectations based on our geographical location.
DeleteI was tracking fouls and severity throughout the game.
ReplyDeleteMy observations were that #3 from Wales was being heavily targeted at the start from USA.
The 2 cautions in my opinion were what kept this game under control. The foul intensity both in frequency and severity reduced drastically after those.
Also, the non penalty and penalty decision after for Wales were spot on.
I wasn't a fan of the gesticulating and arm movements, especially the butting of heads with #8 which should absolutely have been a caution in my mind, but very well managed game nonetheless. We got a nail biter of a football match and no controversy or dangerous challenges.
With his strengths (disciplinary line, all KMIs correct, elegant style) and weaknesses (a bit too accelerated, some problems to connect with players/chaotic rapport as Dukat pointed out), this is what I asked for the rest of referees yesterday after Orsato's performance: Don't be afraid to 'be yourself' !
ReplyDeleteI guess he'll have the political support for it but IMO Al-Jassim deserves a 2nd game.
Fully agree with you. His management, communication and authority aspects remain a clear point for improvement, but with technical accuracy and disciplinary line like today, I deem this performance as positive. Two nice decisions to highlight: penalty for WAL in 80' and, especially, play on in a potential penalty scene in 61'. Based on this performance, I think he deserves another game. Also, if he manages to improve his weaker areas, he can be a potential candidate for something more at the next WC.
DeleteMaybe he can "level up" and get something like BRA-SUI next. And if he succeeds there, he is definitely ready for KO stage.
DeleteI agree! Maybe one of the European duels (FRA-DEN?) would fit his style better, but for a test BRA-SUI would do very well. Neymar usually doesn't appreciate being managed by the referee - he tries to manage the referee instead!
DeleteIf it were a European referee, I guess everyone would be highly praising the referee.
ReplyDeleteThere are no perfect displays. Crucial decisions were spot on. Showed consistency both technically and in terms of disciplinary action. Great athleticism too.
And let's not forget it was a tough contest to handle. Certainly Collina and rest of crew are happy.
Al-Jassim was himself (style/approach/discipline) today. And I'm perfectly fine with that.
DeleteHe had a good game. Maybe trying too much to be friends with the players. It backfired a few times. All refs have had good games so far I think. A few missed yellow cards here and there but that's ok.
ReplyDelete(OT: Some words on Sampaio's performance can be found here:
ReplyDeletehttp://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2022/11/2022-fifa-world-cup-match-2-senegal.html?showComment=1669065861095#c2393123861400876154 )
Only Janny Sikazwe can save us from such long additional time.
ReplyDelete:-)))
DeleteSolid performance by Al-Jassim. Got all big decisions right in a quite challenging game.
ReplyDeleteTechnically, good.
As for disciplinary action, all good, understanding, management and protection of the show were excellent.
Always close to every incident thanks to great fitness.
I'd not say a very good surprise because those familiar with international refereeing know Al-Jassim is a tried-and-tested ref: 2017 U-20 World Cup, 2020 AFC Champions League final, 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, 2019 Club WC Final, despite being young and from a country where football is not at the highest level.
Passed first test and certainly Collina has a safe option in Al-Jassim.
If you follow afc refereeing constantly, you will know that Jassim is a very inconsistant referee and he was poor in many competitions, such as 2019 cwc final. I am very surprised he did such an amazing job yesterday. He will certainly get his second (maybe third) game in the rest of the competition
DeleteENGIRN report here:
ReplyDeletehttps://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2022/11/2022-fifa-world-cup-match-3-england.html?showComment=1669070747166#c8557226861217014955
AI-Jassim, the biggest surprise in this competition so far. I constantly follow AFC referees and he has been poor in his last few tournaments. Honestly I was shocked by his amazing performance yesterday. He showed all the cards correctly and appropriately. His perfect foul detection will certainly give him another match in MD2/MD3, and I predict he will be the first one to get the second game. I understand with most of you speaking regarding his problem with connecting with player. However, I do not view this as a problem since this is Jassim's "long-term" style on the field. I believed he would did well in the second half after reading his first half strategy, and I was not disappointed. The only potential down side I think is Al-Jassim used too many "exaggerate" gestures when he tried to communicate with players. Again, I do not view this as a problem since this is his style. I love to see this kind of "diversity" in the game.
ReplyDeleteIs there still no official USAWAL report? I wouldn't want to miss it...
ReplyDeleteDalborgo - I can say on behalf of all three of us that we are very touched by your interest in our reports :)
DeleteTo help order everything chronologically, I created a page on my mini blog to 'track' all of the (many :D) games:
https://mikaelreferee.blogspot.com/p/wc22refs.html
I liked his performance in this game, he is 35 years. I think he is the second youngest referee at this World Cup, after Ivan Barton from El Salvador, if I'm not wrong. Still one game for Thursday to the UEFA referee, maybe Makelie, because is Uruguay team involved.
ReplyDeleteAnalysis
ReplyDeleteKey Match Incidents:
62' Possible penalty to USA
https://streamable.com/zqyjwb
AL-JASSIM chose not to award a PK, an excellent decision considering how hard it is to correctly spot what happened here: the defender launches a tackle trying to counter a possible shot of the
attacker, who ends up jumping over his opponent and fell without being hit. The correct decision has been taken: no penalty, no simulation either, restart play with a goal kick. Well done.
71' Possible SYC to WAL5
https://streamable.com/6j3plf
The fact we only got one replay doesn't help us to thoroughly analyse this challenge, who appears as reckless at first: the sensation I have is that Mepham simply steps on Pulisic's heel. However, as it is not possible with this camera angle to fully judge the intensity and the area where the foul occurred, I leave the benefit of the doubt to the referee, who was perfectly placed at the back of the play. One must also consider that, even with the (excellent) disciplinary approach since the beginning of this WC, issuing a SYC must be a 100% clear and mandatory call.
80' Penalty to WALES
https://streamable.com/2xhn87
Another crucial decision correctly taken by the Qatari official, who was again in a great place to detect that the tackle done by the defender was a foul, and must de facto result in a spot kick.
Bale cleverly positionned himself between the ball and his opponent, who attempted a clumsy challenge and ends up fouling the WALES captain. One could argue that a yellow card should've followed: I'm personally okay with no booking.
Balance:
AL-JASSIM faced the most difficulty game of the day, facing much difficult situations than his two Brazilian colleagues earlier. The main problem for him was to correctly identify the nature of many challenges, in a intense and disputed match.
Talking about disciplinary measures, he showed 6 YCs (11',13',40',45+2',51',90+10+) who were all mandatory: I would highlight the 40' booking as a very good spot: Bale tackles from behind and caught his opponent leg before reaching the ball.
Other possible cautions were possible in 31',71',80' and 89', the last one being the only clear YC missed for my taste. Overall, AL-JASSIM did a good job in his card selection, and dealt with
careless vs reckless offenses in a quite satisfying way, if you ask me.
Fitness was another strength in this game, a very dynamic and elegant running as we know him, he didn't had problems to keep up with play.
However, for my taste the Qatari struggled with acceptance in his game. I believe his relations with players were quite problematic at times, especially with Pulisic, who has been dissenting him
throughout the game without a strong reaction. In my opinion, he miscalculated a few times how to correctly react on a personality level, often switching from player-friendly to authoritarian guy,
getting a few choices wrong in this aspect. Furthermore, I think some of his verbal warnings failed to reach their targets, see the double PA management at 44' prior to a corner: by trying so hard to get things going with words, he somehow forgot that when this is no longer working, blowing the whistle is a good idea. A point of improvement in this aspect.
I read on the blog that the Qatari had some exaggerated runs after free-kicks, while you might not like his sprinting manner, I think it was a good thing, actually. Personally, I've been taught that a
referee must quickly get to the hot point of the game in case of hard tackle: AL-JASSIM did that (eg 11',13') and rightly so, IMO.
DeleteConclusion:
Not a perfect display, but I think AL-JASSIM can be satisfied of how he officiated this dynamic game, arguably the harder of the tournament until now. With his strengths (decision-taking,
disciplinary, fitness) and weaknesses (leadership/charisma, acceptance), we did a fairly decent job for my taste, getting all KMIs right and maintaining a good control of the game.
Of course we saw the limits of the Qatari, who probably couldn't referee a more demanding game, but let's not forget that very few referees in history can pride themselves to be able to do so!
Each referee has his own style (law-enforcer, game-reader, etc) and must be used accordingly by the Committee depending of the games.
This is IMO the victory of COLLINA until now: instructing usually lenient referees (CLAUS/AL-JASSIM) to set their disciplinary standards at the tournament one, without inhibiting who they are.
Both assistants performed on an expected level, VAR correctly supported the Qatari in both PAI.
A good performance from AL-JASSIM and his crew, a second appointment will follow.
Marks: (7-7-7-III)
This was the worst referee performance of the WC so far (with all the games since this game in hindsight), and it will probably stand as the single worst refereeing performance of the entire tournament. He booked 2 US players early with yellows (only 1 of the 2 was actually a yellow card offense, and it was a big *maybe* *yellow*)... But the referee then allowed the Welsh to practically assault and persistently foul the US players, especially during the first half, without even calling fouls (referee gave 2 US players yellow cards for tackles that were far less fouls than about a half dozen fouls committed by Wales players where he didn't even call the foul at all).
ReplyDeleteAl-Jassim was only too happy for players to surround and even bump him on occasion but as soon one bounced the ball in disgust, he produced a card. Strange, strange officiating.
ReplyDelete