- South Africa vs Mexico (06/11/2010)
The opener of the Group A saw many observers scratching their heads as Mexico had a goal chalked off in the first half. It all came from a corner kick in and around the 20 minute mark when Carlos Vela found himself alone in front of goal after South African goalkeeper failed to make contact in his attempt to punch the oncoming ball out. The young Mexican striker blasted the ball into an open net and celebrated what he though was the first goal of the competition. The linesman would however have his flag up, calling for the offside and denying the goal. The decision was the right one indeed. When Khune stepped up to punch the ball out, leaving only one South African player at the near-post, he essentially became an active player and thus the last man back. With Vela receiving the ball from a flick-off in an offsides position (as Khune was the last man) the goal was rightly called-off. In effect had there been a second South African player at the other post, Vela's goal would have stood. The rule states that a player is offsides when receiving the ball after a pass was made whilst - not only just behind the last defender - behind the before to last player. Kudos to the linesman on a great call!
- Uruguay vs France (06/11/2010)
In an almost karmic piece of irony, Henry found himself denied a penalty as it seemed like a Uruguayan player had handled the ball in the box. The call was not given however, and Henry's calls for a handball ignored. The fact was that Uruguayan defender kept his hand close to his body and thus escaped what would have been a harsh sentence had all of Uruguay's dogged defending been undone by a refereeing decision. All in all a good decision from the Japanese Referee.
- Germany vs Australia (06/13/2010)
Australia were unfortunately at the end of an unfortunate refereeing mistake which saw Cahill being given a straight red card at the hour mark. Cahill had slid in a little late when challenging for the ball but missed his tackle and clattered into Schweinsteiger. The referee saw it as a dangerous challenge and promptly sent him off. It was not the right decision however, and a yellow card at worst. In effect Cahill had realized he was lated and pulled back on his tackle by withdrawing his trailing leg. I think it was a harsh decision for the Socceroos who will be deprived of an invaluably important player. The first refereeing mistake of the tournament, it has to be said.
- United States vs Slovenia (06/18/2010)
The United States fought back bravely to rescue a point from their game against Slovenia. The US fell two goals behind in the first half and battled back to earn a draw. The US seemed to have snatched the 3 points when Maurice Edu turned in Donovan's free-kick at the 86th minute. But his late strike would be disallowed as the referee called for pushing and shoving in the box. It was an indisputably bad call. If that kind of contact was to be whistled, no team would ever score from indirect free-kicks/corners and all such goals would be disallowed. A heartbreaker for the US team who fought hard and deserved more out of it for their terrific second half play.
- Germany vs England (06/27/2010)
Frank Lampard was denied a clear cut goal in today's round of 16 encounter. It was at the 40th minute that Frank Lampard chipped Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. His shot smacked against the underside of the bar and bounce back in and behind the line. The goal was outstandingly not awarded as the assistant linesman contrived to see the ball cross the line. Te rule is that the whole of the ball must cross the line, but it is all a moot point here as the ball was well over 2 yards behind the line. A goal which echoed the incident of 1966 when England picked up their first World Cup trophy against Germany in similar fashion as Geoff Hurst's shot struck the underside of the bar and bounced down and back into play. One of the most controversial goals in World Cup history which, to this day, the Germans still argued was never a goal. Well in this somewhat karmic twist of irony, it seems like the Germans have been offered some retribution for that fateful day.
- Argentina vs Mexico (06/27/2010)
