Tuesday 6 February 2024

2023 AFC Asian Cup - Semifinals

Please find below the referee assignments for 2023 AFC Asian Cup Semifinals. 

Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (UAE) to referee Jordan - Korea Republic

06/02/2024

Jordan - Korea Republic
Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (UAE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohamed Ahmed Yousef Abdulla Alhammadi (UAE)
Assistant Referee 2: Hasan Mohamed Hasan Abdulla Almahri (UAE)
Fourth Official: Ma Ning (CHN)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Zhou Fei (CHN)
Video Assistant Referee: Omar Mohamed Ahmed Hassan Alali (UAE)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Iida Jumpei (JPN)
Referee Assessor : Saad K M Alfadhli (KUW)

07/02/2024

Iran - Qatar
Referee: Ahmad Kh Y Y A Alali (KUW) 
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulhadi M O A B Alanezi (KUW) 
Assistant Referee 2: Mohamad Zairul Bin Khalil Tan (MAS) 
Fourth Official: Iida Jumpei (JPN) 
Reserve Assistant Referee: Zhang Cheng (CHN)
Video Assistant Referee: Sivakorn Pu-Udom (THA) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fu Ming (CHN)
Referee Assessor : Altraifi Ali Ahmed I (KSA)

81 comments:

  1. Woww so congratulations to Ahmed Al Kaf

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    1. But that scenario will happened if the appointment is based on merit. Unfortunately I think the final will lead by Ma Ning, he’s also already 44, Al Kaf still 39 and from bigger FA. Ma Ning is not bad referee but I think his compatriot Fu Ming offered better performance. Overall still a bit pity for me to see Mohamed Abdulla Hassan name on this SF appointment.

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    2. But it would be unusual to use Ma Ning as 4th in the SF, if he is planned for the final.
      So I would say, it looks like Fu Ming or Al-Kaf for the final.
      Tantashev and Araki are probably other options, but maybe more for SF2.

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    3. Tangential to the discussion about a possible final appearance for Fu Ming, here are two Jordan penalty appeals he had to assess in his quarterfinal:
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/b41f1c
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/c8bd9b

      Kim Hee-gon's refereeing of Qatar vs. Uzbekistan looked, I would go so far as to say, pretty disasterous from the technical perspective (7,5 - 7,7 range in UEFA). Below is a sample of a few mins at the end of the 2H, during which he issued three cautions, and I think you'll see what I mean (if I can find the time, I'd like to watch this game in full).

      https://www.streambug.io/cv/79519e

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    4. I do not judge any issue with the three cautions nor do I view a better way to manage that situation. In this instance Fu Ming handled the situation appropriately. Of course he had some stylistic particularities, like why he runs so close to the player he gives the card to.

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  2. Ma Ning’s track is similar with Irmatov in 2019, they both refereed round of 16 and quarter final, and become 4o in semi final. Without doubt, Ma Ning will referee the final.

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  3. It’s interesting to see a comment from arbitro internacional iinm last week about chinese referees.

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  4. Ahmad Al Ali in IRNQAT and Ma Ning for the final.

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  5. Another case of "classic" Italian handball.
    https://streamin.me/v/64327443
    Called by referee, supported by VAR.
    I think this is very harsh, arm is maybe not close to body, but it doesn't increase volume. Extremely harsh to assess it as punishable. I'm sure in most of countries this is never penalty...

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    1. Hm, I think, I have seen worse ;)
      The position of the arm can't really be seen as natural. So it's indeed the question, whether it increases the volume. It looks to me like the ball would have passed the defender without the block with the hand. But one would need more angles to be sure.
      Also: Why is the defender doing that, if he is not viscerally expecting the ball there?
      So I would not be too surprised to see this called in other competitions.

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  6. Meanwhile Gillet is performing his worst ever performance in the Premier League.

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    1. I agree, he still can’t reach English football level, fooled by Toney for clear diving in front of him early in 2nd half and missed very clear foul by Ederson at 80’.

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    2. Disagree strongly. Thought Gillett was excellent tonight bar the missed foul by ederson. Gillett is certainly one of the best in England not that its a hard level to reach. Just 6 fouls and one yellow all night. Not sure what game you two watched

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    3. England Ref +1

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  7. Replies
    1. Referee Ahmed Al Ali from Kuwait

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  8. Shelmani for nig rsa
    Amin omr for civ drc

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  9. Update: Ma Ning still not confirm yet, just very very close to lead the final.

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  10. Ahmed Al Ali is appointed for IRNQAT. Iida Jumpei is FO.

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  11. Ma Ning is FO and Zhou Fei is RAR in JORKOR while Fu Ming is AVAR and Zhang Cheng is RAR in IRNQAT. Maybe Al-Kaf for final?

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  12. So far, Ahmed Al Ali has got 4 assignments as referee in the tournament, the most in the tournament.

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  13. If Iran vs South Korea/Jordan it will be Ma Ning
    If Qatar vs South Korea/Jordan, Al Kaf has the chance. But still Ma Ning is safe choice

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  14. Question for those who watched Bahrain vs. Japan - did the second Kuwaiti linesman really have a performance which deserved being replaced, or (what seems to be the more likely scenario) is it just political juggling to include a SE Asian in the semifinals crew?

    I did watch Kim's Qatar vs. Uzbekistan too: actually, his performance was generally okay imo in a fair-spirited match, though my feeling was Kim could be pretty glad to have faced the relatively low level of difficulty that he did. The best element of his refereeing was that his manner aroused fellowship/respect from the players, but he had big problems in assessing duels, missing quite a few late fouls by not keeping a 'trailing eye' on the player who had just released the ball. This seemed mostly to be caused by his somewhat 'flat-footed' athletic profile. Example here:

    https://streambug.org/cv/b6afc5

    The match could consequently have hotted up thanks to this, but the example above was the only real example of this happening over the 120min. Overall I don’t think the Uzbeks can complain too much - the non-RC to the goalkeeper was according to the guidelines, and the rest by Kim Hee-gon was mostly fine. On a more ‘holistic’ level, Kim wasn’t without merit as a referee, but in UEFA I believe he would have little chance of being promoted from the 2nd Cat, TBH.

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    1. Since the beginning I have doubt about the management from the refcom, we didn’t talk about Al Jassim and Makhadmeh treatment but can u imagine a debutant referee, debut in dead rubber game involving his neighbor country and then get another match in KO stage in same circumstances. From all 30+ referees is it difficult to find another referees? With all respect for his quite good performance but still if this is not injury then we only have 1 conclusion, isn’t it? Hopefully I’m wrong and someone can provide what mistake that AR2 from Kuwait did in previous matches that cost him a place in his team.

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    2. For Kim Hee Gon analyst, could u imagine a “2nd cat. UEFA” referee lead QUARTER FINAL match! I can understand why Uzbek frustrated with the referee, he’s not bad but at the same time he is also not good enough to handle that match. If Al Kaf or Mohamed Abdulla Hassan lead the match certainly Qatari approach would be different. If u watch the match I think u can catch the nuance. So the conclusion never try your referees in KO stage, give the best officials for the last round of the tournament. My diagnosis is initially the match would lead by KOR1 Ko Hyung Jin, but his performance was really poor, but I don’t know what is the reason another debutant, directly after only 1 GS and not enough experience before in highest stage in Asia (you can see his AFC Champions League and WC qualifiers assignment), get assignment in QF, I can’t imagine if this is happened in UEFA, I think immediately Mr. Rossetti get fired :)

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  15. Bad penalty decision by Mohammed, rightly overturned after an OFR.

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    1. These are very good cases of clear and obvious mistake, indeed. All can agree. The referee from UAE missed the low contact, step on foot by attacker on defender (in this regard, missed YC after OFR). Looking only at the collision, with defender running so quickly into attacker, the mistake can be explained. Still shouldn't have happened.

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    2. Overturned penalty: https://www.streambug.io/cv/7fa9a3
      Simulation call: https://www.streambug.io/cv/5d56bf

      "A good use of VAR" indeed, the decision was overturned quickly without much fuss. Besides that, it was a steady and good performance by the Emirates ref, he was quite receptive to (potential) dissents and DtRs. Good disciplinary control, five cautions issued, the last for a blatant but still well-spotted dive (see above).

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    3. I always think that a simulation is difficult to see, but this one... what a poor attempt, it makes laugh! And I'm shocked (to use a word they used) that commentators did not spot this live but they didn't know until the replay... absolutely clear and embarrassing late fall.

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  16. With Korea is out, I think Al Kaf no chance. Chinese officials deserved the final

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    1. Unless there is a special reason, it would be very unusual to have a Chinese trio in the final after Chinese officials presence in both semifinals...

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    2. Are u forgot what happened with Penso? And u must googling the path of Irmatov in 2019.

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    3. In my opinion, with all due respect, Ma Ning's skills are nowhere near the final level. He is too lenient, misses too many things and, most importantly, has no feeling when to jump in with strong warnings and/or cards. As the Emirati got the semi-final, I think the only real option for the final (based on performances) is Ahmad Al-Kaf.

      About Al-Jassim, his calls were not the best in IRNPLE and, at least on paper, it was no more than 7.4 (missed mandatory 2YC and wrong RC for DOGSO). I think to reject him after that performance is very harsh, though. And I really don't know what is the reason behind Makhadmah's absence after a very good(!) performance in THAKGZ. I thought he is one of the strongest candidates for the final after this game...

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    4. Ma ning dont deserve the final
      https://streambug.org/cv/9f2c2a

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    5. I agree about Ma Ning I have in doubt too about him. Strongly since the beginning I was said that the one who deservedly lead the final is Mohamed Abdulla Hassan, but we never know how far politics can go.

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    6. Even when Al Kaf at the end lead the final still AFC Refcom need to step down for creating the worst ever referee plotting at the highest football stage in Asia.

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    7. IMO this is not about politics associated with big FA, big names, so on that we often talk about in UEFA but this is just dirty politics, very low level that show to the public what is the real level of Asian football knowledge, frankly this is trash, very embarrassing politics to cover up and wash their hands from incompetence of them, the leading boards.

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    8. Even as amateur we know who is the best and who is the worst, who has the potential or just become another flop. What do you expect from Kim Hee Gon, Nazmi Nasaruddin, their young ages? Adham Makhadmeh still young too but here we go. Very very poor chairman, look what happened right now in CAF, on the AFCON. They found outstanding Somalian, Omar, outstanding Libyan, Mutaz, but AFC only hanging their hopes in referees like Kim Hee Gon :) “the 2nd cat. UEFA referees”

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    9. Final is either Ma Ning or Tantashev with Korea out. No ref from Western Asia to curb any bias & certainly no ref from Korea.

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  17. In the possible scenario, that Al Kaf and Ghorbal get the two finals, we would have the curious situation that all finals and semifinals (i.e. 6 last games) at AFCON and Asian Cup have referees from Arab countries.

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  18. An interesting situation in the Scottish premiership game between Rangers and Aberdeen tonight.

    Rangers player shown a RC for SFP on field. Referee Don Robertson was called for an OFR but stuck with his decision

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    1. https://streamvi.com/watch/1790191657573364

      Correct RC and Robertson did very well to stick to his guns even at the OFR, not making the same mistake the VAR (Aitken?) made - watching the slow-mos and deciding that because there was no contact on the shin, it isn't SFP. It is a (very) clear example of a 'tackle as an attack' and the on-field decision was the correct one.

      I actually watched the last ten minutes of this game. The RC would probably have been avoided if Robertson took a slightly tougher attitude towards some the fouls in the minutes leading up, but overall I thought his management (and courage at the OFR) were quite impressive. I liked Robertson when watching him in the past and still think he is a name who could reach sth at UEFA level, but it seems they are betting on (also quite good) Walsh for now. The level of refereeing in Scotland, from what I see, is generally quite satisfying.

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    2. Wrong VAR intervention, it is very clear what Mikael explained. While the RC must be confirmed by VAR for the excessive force of the challenge, endangering the safety of the opponent, VAR made the mistake to show only the point of contact without considering the intensity of the challenge.

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    3. Yeah absolutely wrong OFR and well done to Robertson for sticking to his decision. I can see some arguments against SFP here, like the co-commentator also pointed out, the contact is low and he just hits the toe of the oppenent, but the force is still high and the leg is straight. RC clearly the better decision in this case imo

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  19. Iran is questioning the appointment of an Arab referee to their semifinal vs Qatar... it's all over the news

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  20. Very high pace game and already challenging with some situation that correctly assessed by Ahmad Al Ali. Good performance so far

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  21. Ahmad Al Ali need to adapt with his very very lenient style, he was correctly give YC for SPA inside 20 minutes.

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  22. Penalty given after OFR

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  23. Shocking handball decision, my god. What are we doing?

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    1. I think there was an extension, he made his body bigger with his arms.

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    2. The arm was tucked in and the ball would have hit his body anyways…

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    3. The arm was tucked in and the ball would have hit his body anyways…

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  24. I think we could take conclusion 2 crucial incident assessed with OFT, it’s not good performance by Ahmad Al Ali.

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  25. Penalty after OFR:
    https://dubz.co/v/hmfv0q
    interesting that we had a similar incident in serie A game Roma - Cagliari, at least looking at the position of the arm:
    https://streamin.me/v/64327443
    Referee whistled penalty, VAR supported, but this was perceived as rather wrong.
    My opinion about the two incidents is that you can support penalty call, but more harsh than correct, and, most important, never VAR stuff. For me to be confirmed only if whistled by referee, so I think mistake by VAR to call it.
    Arm close to body but raised, so this makes the situation difficult to assess.
    At the end, it's always the same with handballs, impossible to find agreements. It will last forever. IFAB should do something.

    Straight RC for DOGSO after OFR:
    https://dubz.co/v/5n9vkr
    I think one could have a small doubt about the closer defender, becuase attacker has to change direction to reach the goal, after having controlled ball, but mostly perceived as DOGSO. I don't blame VAR for this intervention. Still, better to see the red directly from referee.

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    1. At the handball, the arm is in an unnatural position, but does it really increase the body surface? I rather think, it would have hit the head otherwise.
      However if the referee has missed the hand contact live, the OFR makes some sense to let the referee decide this difficult question ("missed incident").

      In the RC situation, the attacker has no control of the ball and is running relatively wide - two arguments against DOGSO. Therefore at least no clear RC IMO and I don't like that intervention.

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    2. Luckily for Al-Ali, the handball PK did not matter at the end, since the punished team advanced. Otherwise, it could have been a long discussion...

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  26. The late DOGSO RC for Iran after OFR looked like a carbon copy of the incident Ismail had in MARRSA, with the same outcome (YC upgraded to RC) :D

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    1. Ismail?? Or you mean Amrabat

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    2. Exact copy and same outcome after OFR :)

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  27. From refereeingculture with Qatar is going through to the final, Al Kaf completely out from the competition. Now we can only wait for the final decision between Ma Ning from China and Ilgiz Tantashev from Uzbekistan.

    Past final referee:
    2011: Irmatov (UZB)
    2015: Faghani (IRN)
    2019: Irmatov (UZB)

    My predictions it will be Ma Ning from China to lead the final of 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qatar

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    1. AFC had no problems appointing Al-Ali (KUW) to Qatar's semi-final, so why not Al-Kaf (OMA) to Qatar's final?

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    2. If I use your logic, then 2018 WC final it would be Mazic and not Pitana. It just matter of another politics, quota per zone, can u imagine the final is already all Arab final and then the referee is from Arab too, it’s just never happened before.

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    3. Did Mazic was candidate for wc 2018 final even if Croatia were in the final how !

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    4. It was from 2019 incident in SF ACL, Al Sadd vs Al Hilal, Qatari player got ”controversial” RC from Al Kaf.

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  28. Am I the only one who thought that at the start of the match two Qatari players ran 9 meters into the Iranian half of the field?

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  29. Referee: Ma Ning (CHN)
    Assistant Referee 1: Zhou Fei (CHN)
    Assistant Referee 2: Zhang Cheng (CHN)
    Fourth Official: ILGIZ Tantshev (UZB)
    Reserve Assistant Referee: Taspenko ANDREY (UZB)
    Video Assistant Referee: FU MING (CHN)
    Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Iida Jumpei (JPN)
    Referee Assessor : SAAD K M (KWU)

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    1. I think this appointement is bomb
      Fu ming had incident in Jordan Tajikistan clear pleanty not given and var not show up (jumpei)
      Ma Ning in Irn jpn Iranian take throw in with foot in the air and from this throw in came pelanty to Irn in 93 min

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    2. https://streambug.org/cv/9f2c2a
      Ma Ning incident in in jpn

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    3. clear penalty?Are you kidding me?

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    4. https://streambug.org/cv/053a6a
      If this not clear holding I don't what we should call it

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    5. Just 50/50,not a clear or obvious mistake,no VAR intervention.

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    6. 2 in 1 holding and trip
      Var came for justice justice tjak win the game can you say that ref and var don't affect

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    7. 2 fouls committed in the same moment in the beginning tjak player hold Jordan's player then trip him in this picture of point of contact before taking player play the ball
      https://ibb.co/8XR1WQ9

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    8. 2 in 1 hold and trip
      https://ibb.co/8XR1WQ9

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    9. 2 in 1 hold and trip

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  30. Asian Nations Cup 2024 - Qatar
    Final

    Jordan - Qatar

    Referee: Ma Ning (CHN)
    Assistant Referee 1: Zhou Fei (CHN)
    Assistant Referee 2: Zhang Cheng (CHN)
    Fourth Official: Tantashev Ilgiz (UZB)
    Reserve Assistant Referee: Tsapenko Andrey (UZB)
    Video Assistant Referee: Fu Ming (CHN)
    Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Iida Jumpei (JPN)
    Referee Assessor : Saad K M Alfadhli (KUW)

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  31. Unlikely to see Oliver or Taylor Tuesday anyways as atwell is on a championship game

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