Algunos de nosotros aun vivimos en Mexico (al menos un intento de ciudad Mexicana.. Tijuana ya mas bien parece parte de San Diego CA, pero aun asi estamos muy orgullosos de nuestra selección).
People love to complain about corruption in football matches, especially when the team they favor doesn’t play well. It’s easier to blame the officiating than it is to admit your team laid an egg out on the pitch.
Games that require continuity, don’t allow for long inactive stretches and therefore don’t have the benefit of instant replay are subject to the fallibility of the human referee and his judgment calls on what is in front of him at the time. Try as he might he can’t keep an eye on 22 guys and their every move simultaneously for 90 minutes. It’s just not possible. They do what they can with what they have and that adds to the drama (and in my opinion beauty) of the game.
I didn’t like a lot of the calls that went against Mexico in the match against France, mostly due to the fact that I am fiercely loyal to my national team. Upon replay after the match I had to admit 99% of them were spot on. It’s easy to criticize from home but the only way to have an accurate vantage point is to be out there on the field.
As to the Mexico vs SA game… I loved every second of it! I found that while it was extremely entertaining the Mexican side didn’t play up to their usual level and could have done much better. Opening game jitters in a foreign country on your sport’s biggest stage is nothing to scoff at. Thankfully they pulled it together and held on for a draw. They were greatly improved against a disorganized French team and I loved them for it.
No… I don’t think this world cup will be remembered for the corruption. I think American fans will remember it for what many feel was a “stolen” goal, although the replay shows that the ref was already reaching for his whistle in reaction to one of many fouls before the ball was even struck and way before the player was in position to score. Both sides were being overly aggressive, it just so happened that the player directly in front of the ref committing a foul was a USA player.
I was sad about that call but it seems fair in hindsight. Opinion on this will be varied of course depending on personal views on the rules and team bias, but the fact remains that the call cannot be reversed.
Either way I’m loving this world cup and can’t wait for the elimination rounds!
Vamos Mexico!