More Balls From UEFA
I stumbled across the opening game of the Rugby World Cup last night. France v Argentina, Argentina, Argentina- why do i have the urge to do that?- in the Stade de France. 82,000 egg chasing les blues screaming blue murder at their favourite 15 as they struggled to breakdoon an Argentina defence- should that be backline- who were throwing themselves into challenges like there was no tomorrow.
I was well impressed. The athleticism, power and pace of both teams was a joy but what impressed me more was the bone shuddering challenges dished out by the Argentinians. I huvnae seen challenges like that since Cameroon took to the field in the opening game of the 1990 World Cup.
Now, that World Cup was the beginning of the end of fitba' as a contact sport. Some of the moves were welcomed- the tackle from behind being outlawed was one and as a skinny centre forward was most welcomed, mind you that rule never found it's way to the public parks of Stirling- but now Uefa have went one step further.
Granted, the penalty box is not " a wrestling ring" but pushing and the right to jostle is part of the set piece experience. I think it is ok as long as the defenders don't take the Italian take by not facing the ball but looking at the man. So will this mean we will see numerous red cards and about 15 pens a game?
What does this mean for teams whose whole set ups are geared to pushing, bullying and holding at set pieces? Martin O'Neill, Walter Smith and the assorted Hearts coaches may as well chuck the management game.
I have already seen the future. The highly rated Roberto Rosetti, the new golden boy of UEFA after Lubos Michels, took control of our game at CP against Spartak Moscow and the game was spoiled by the ref's insistence on that any physical contact was a foul. He was one of the worst ref's i have ever seen and caused me to comment after two minutes into the game "He's a bombscare" but i fully expect to see him getting big games this season
I'm not advocating a return to the bad old days of thuggery- i'm sure we will be on the end of a few games of thuggery before the season is out- and i'm not wanting the license thuggery that exists in rugby but for fitba' to be a sport it must have some sort of physical contact.
There must be an element of the physical battle between two players contesting a ball or a tackle. There has to be times when the game gets a bit meaty with crunching but legal challenges.
If UEFA stop that then will the last person watching fitba please turn of the light when you leave.
Forza
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4 comments:
One of the problems facing Gordon Strachan is putting together a squad capable surviving the rigours of Scottish fitba while competing in the Champions League.
Two different environments as regards the type of fitba played but also as regards how the rules of the game are interpreted.
Leaving aside the fact that SPL refs are the only ones in the world to take the field wearing leather aprons and one leg of their shorts rolled up, they DO however allow a certain amount of physical play.
On the other hand, the CL refs will blow for any sort of half decent tackle and anybody that comes within 5 yards (or metres) of the goalie is risking a yellow card.
Not to mention that they have no problem awarding contentious penalities, especially if you're up against MU, Lyon and [name of any team for one of the favoured "big" leagues].
I think that Celtic have learned pretty well how to navigate in the two environments. They have a squad of players that are intelligent, skillful and flexible enough to adapt.
Rangers on the other hand may pay the price in Europe: not only will they encounter apron-less refs, they also have a team of ugly, rigid hammer-throwers.
Just saw the 3 Scotland goals - makes us look like world beaters
:o)
Well, at least until Wednesday...
It`s amazing that it was Gary O`Connor, a man with overseas experience, who was giving away fouls for lifting his boot. Why do the blessed tartan army always go on about fouls given for that? doh!
Big Mick did well, with Fletcher and Brown looking equally competent. Is it true that Thierry Henry misses Wednesday`s match? That late goal from Georgia makes things interesting. On to Wednesday, no injuries please. Aiden was bottom of the BBC ratings for the RoI match. He only got 4.62 but Mick was the top Scot.
Braw Sunday, guys!
Yesterday at Hampden was another example of non contact direction the game is taking.
Legit tackles, which were hard but fair were ruled to be illegal and players like McCulloch and O'Connor were made to look like pub league players.
Nae brains only brawn used badly.
Six- yer right they will struggle in the CL, their tough style will have the ref's in a card frenzy.
Hutton yesterday got a roasting and tried to half the boy in two on the edge of the box. In the CL it was a sending off tackle.
I still think Celtic might be a bit lightweight against some SPL teams but we just have to hope that we have the ball more then the team we are playing against.
The Bhoys seem to be super fit this season and the close them down tactics of the others have been their undoing! :-)
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