Quote:
Originally Posted by xtreme
I wonder what the outcome would have been had the Dutch got the corner kick they were entitled to, instead the officials gave Spain the goal kick in error which led to the goal.
Or earlier on, the arm around Robben which slowed him up on the breakaway. No call just because he didn't dive like most soccer players would have?
Don't want to sound like a poor loser, but what if...
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Unfortunately Robben made a mockery of the official in the Brasilian game and will never get the benefit of the doubt again. This was a foul and probably a yellow taking away a scoring chance but to me it makes up for everything he has done the rest of the tournament. If an official sees this play from behind and does not have a clear view as he did not appear to then he is not going to give a guy like Robben that call.
Robben could be one of the best players in the world if he would just play the game.
In what match does the loosing side ever think the game was fair? If Espana had lost there were many calls that would too have been controversial for either being called or not in the case of the straight red that is automatic for challenging with a high boot to the chest...spikes first.
I will never be a fan of the Dutch strategy in this match but I do understand it was the only way to have a chance to win and it almost worked. If they did not come out and foul Spain in an attempt to make them uncomfortable with the ball they had no chance to have possession. There was a lot of foreshadowing to how they would play the days prior to the final that I can see now that I look back. I believe Robben acknowledged that they cannot play a pretty game and expect to win.
Spain are a very small side which have to play on the ground and with great strategy. I will admit that I felt after the first half I started to worry very much that the much bigger and tougher Dutch side would be able to continue with the hard tackles and either hurt Spains midfield or scare them enough to give up the ball which they did a few times.
This is a sport where everything happens from the midfield and there is no better midfield right now in the game than Spain. Germany look to have a very promising young midfield as well.
Someone mentioned Messi....he cannot play (nor can many strikers) without midfield players like Iniesta. Argentina were the most overrated team coming into this final because they had a one dimensional team and no coach.