Quote:
Originally Posted by Kappamd
I think "extra time" is stupid. Yes, I realize its purpose is to make up for teams that play like Ghana did, but it does nothing to regain the momentum lost in those moments.
Half the time they were flailing around on the ground, they were faking. "Oh, the ref isn't looking at me now? I'm cured!" The US is guilty of it too, but not to the extent of some of the other teams. The theatrical aspect about soccer has always irritated me.
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Every team does it to some extent, but there's a difference between falling, usually because you get clipped bit even when it was legal contact, and the flailing on the ground that Portugal, Italy and France (among others) are known for. "Oh god my face, you pushed me in the stomach and gouged out my eyes a the SAME TIME!"
They did hand out a card for diving in one of the last group round games. USA's coach suggested that there be a review and retroactive red-cards be given. I think it would clean it up a lot. Again not necessarily for the "fall" itself, but for the flail or the time waster.
However, the ref didn't get pissed enough in this game to do that though, he was relatively good even if he misjudged one of their cards and one of ours, IMO.