I – along with most of the African continent – had hoped that Ghana would beat Uruguay last night. It was one of the most epic games of soccer I’ve seen.* But then something unexpected happened that changed everything.
Ghana didn’t beat Uruguay.
And now Africa is whining about “Suarez, that cheat!”
Suarez's handball, Uruguay versus Ghana, 2010 World Cup
Yes, he “swindled” Ghana out of a World Cup semifinal.
Yes, he was unsportsmanlike (which is no different to other players rolling around holding their shins, trying to dupe the ref).
But most importantly – yes, the ref actually saw it. Which was a pleasant change.
Not that what I think matters, but an obvious goal – that was purposefully handballed like that – should have been awarded. Evidently, the game doesn’t work that way, and Luis Suarez knew that the consequences would only cost him a red card and a manicure.
Besides, one man’s cheater is another man’s strategist.
So, aware of the “loophole”, he took one for the team. And, like a bunch of inexperienced arseholes, Ghana cocked up their penalty shootout (for which they have no one to blame but themselves).
Kudos to Suarez, because his gamble paid off.
He thought so too:
“But the way in which I was sent off — truth is, it was worth it,” Suarez said.
If only Bafana Bafana had gambled a bit more against Uruguay…
* To be fair, I’ve not seen many because I generally prefer sports where men don’t have vaginas.
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Possibly related:
Sat, 3 July 2010 at 19:38
Inclined to agree, and I do watch soccer, at least during World Cup and when my granddaughter is playing (I used to coach her father).
In some leagues, an intentionally blocked goal is scored as a goal and the offending player is sent off, but I’m not sure it’s such a good idea, because then the complaint from the other side would be “It would have hit the post” or some such. Best not to leave it up to the ref’s judgment. A penalty kick is about an 80% chance to score, and any player on the field can take it, not just the poor guy whose shot was blocked. If you can’t find one of 11 players who can keep his head cool and ice the chance, well …
I was disappointed, but games, like battles, are as often lost as they are won, and, in this case, Ghana lost the game rather than Uruguay winning it. That makes it harder to swallow, but to shout “cheater!” is simply ignoring the rules and how the game is played.
I will be hoping Uruguay gets paddled soundly in their next game, of course. Cosmic justice has to do when the other kind is absent.
Sat, 3 July 2010 at 20:03
“but I’m not sure it’s such a good idea, because then the complaint from the other side would be “It would have hit the post” or some such.”
Meanwhile, this kick was way on target…
Sat, 3 July 2010 at 22:54
Oh, it’s very easy to make the call in that case. But how do you write the rule to avoid a situation where the ball is coming in from an angle and gets slapped down a metre in front of the line? Is it where the player’s feet are? Where the ball is? And how do you write the rule so the refs aren’t making wrong judgments?
Sat, 3 July 2010 at 23:59
I commented on that here: http://jeremynell.com/sepp-blatter-red-carded/
Sat, 3 July 2010 at 21:26
Just because the rules of soccer tolerates cheating and foul play doesn’t make it any more justifiable. If this were rugby, it would have been a penalty goal and Suarez would have been banned for 6 months at least, in stead of a penalty and FIFA ‘considering’ banning him for an extra game.
Sun, 4 July 2010 at 16:14
And if the tables were turned, then would Africans be slating Ghana just as aggressively?
Of course not.
This might illustrate things better: http://twitpic.com/22e5xl
Sun, 4 July 2010 at 20:33
The fact that it was such a brazen action pisses me off. Players taking dives and trying to get other (usually better, intimidating) players sent off is disgusting, but to cheat like that should be punished more severely! Ghana would have won… say what you want about penalties and keeping a cool head, but with those stakes it isn’t the easiest thing – hence the reason penalties to determine a winner is not a preferred result. I’ve heard it discussed by player experts and game analysts; penalty kicks are actually very tough on the player making the strike – goalies are expected to miss. Given that the game would’ve been won; that they were the last Afican team in the game and that it was their shot to ensure victory, I think any of the players to take the penalty would have felt the pressure. I’m sad that Ghana lost out and that Suarez got off so lightly. So I’m hoping for total annihilation of Uruguay now…
Mon, 5 July 2010 at 08:32
Like I asked further up, would you be responding as aggressively were the tables turned?
Mon, 5 July 2010 at 00:40
There was no foul to start with and the guy that headed the ball was offside when the free kick was taken, so the penalty shouldn’t have existed at all! Wouldn’t have been unfair had Ghana won because of their strikers cheating by placing themselves in a place they are not allowed to be?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7wcInhtW48
Mon, 5 July 2010 at 08:38
If this is true, then has it been picked up by any news feeds or sports analysts?
Mon, 5 July 2010 at 10:06
I actually would be, it was a dirty cheat and any self-respecting sportsman (and supporter) should be ashamed.
Mon, 5 July 2010 at 10:13
Similarly, Ghana should be ashamed of their pathetic penalty shootout; something not becoming of a qualifier for the world’s top 32 teams, let alone the World Cup’s top eight.
If we must feel sorry for them (because of the “pressure” etc), then they’re clearly not good enough to be the world’s best.
Tue, 6 July 2010 at 08:26
They should all take their handbags and go back to the dressing room to fix their mussed-up hair. The 2010 World Cup is a major success but soccer will always be a twats game.