61 GERKOR Meier
HIGHLIGHTS
With the number of crucial and important mistakes by match officials carefully noted by the world's media, especially in host nation Korea's two knockout round matches against Italy and Spain, the match officials for the remaining games were naturally under very sharp focus. FIFA selected an all UEFA trio to control the remaining co-host's Semifinal with Germany, led by Urs Meier, assisted by Frédéric Arnault and Evžen Amler. Or, as far as the media were concerned - a Swiss referee with French and Czech linesman.
The match officials performed well, ironically after everything that happened it was a very quiet night for Arnault and Amler. Meier distinguished himself with a very good piece of officiating in the bigger picture, that becomes merely a good performance on closer inspection.
Meier's handling of the game was excellent. His serious, determined manner aroused the respect of the players and the watching world alike. Referee from Switzerland's game-plan was to serve football, and allow a fast-paced and flowing match - he had both the physical and mental security to pull that off. He did everything very quickly but never lost the overview. This performance was everything FIFA could have wanted.
All three cards given were correct - Ballack scored the only goal minutes after having carded himself out of the final - Neuville's was very well-seen, Meier helped by being optimally positioned. No sanctions at 47' and 74', as well as a flagrant dissent at 50' that he could ignore bring his performance on a technical level down a bit. But in the bigger picture that was rather superfluous.
As aforementioned, it was a very quiet night for the two linesmen. Though - Korea really ought to have equalised at +94', fortunately for Evžen Amler, who incorrectly flagged, the striker misread the perfect through-ball. It would have taken a super-human AR to keep the flag down there, after everything, I would keenly add.
With the number of crucial and important mistakes by match officials carefully noted by the world's media, especially in host nation Korea's two knockout round matches against Italy and Spain, the match officials for the remaining games were naturally under very sharp focus. FIFA selected an all UEFA trio to control the remaining co-host's Semifinal with Germany, led by Urs Meier, assisted by Frédéric Arnault and Evžen Amler. Or, as far as the media were concerned - a Swiss referee with French and Czech linesman.
The match officials performed well, ironically after everything that happened it was a very quiet night for Arnault and Amler. Meier distinguished himself with a very good piece of officiating in the bigger picture, that becomes merely a good performance on closer inspection.
Meier's handling of the game was excellent. His serious, determined manner aroused the respect of the players and the watching world alike. Referee from Switzerland's game-plan was to serve football, and allow a fast-paced and flowing match - he had both the physical and mental security to pull that off. He did everything very quickly but never lost the overview. This performance was everything FIFA could have wanted.
All three cards given were correct - Ballack scored the only goal minutes after having carded himself out of the final - Neuville's was very well-seen, Meier helped by being optimally positioned. No sanctions at 47' and 74', as well as a flagrant dissent at 50' that he could ignore bring his performance on a technical level down a bit. But in the bigger picture that was rather superfluous.
As aforementioned, it was a very quiet night for the two linesmen. Though - Korea really ought to have equalised at +94', fortunately for Evžen Amler, who incorrectly flagged, the striker misread the perfect through-ball. It would have taken a super-human AR to keep the flag down there, after everything, I would keenly add.
| Urs Meier - 8,4 Frédéric Arnault - 8,4 Evžen Amler - 8,2 Gilles Veissière (SUI, FRA, CZE) |
Germany 1-0 Korea Republic
Semifinal
|
 Ballack (71.) - Tackle Neuville (85.) - Simulation | Lee Min-sung (90.+4') - SPA (Holding) |
On the whole, Meier was just fine, but it wasn't an overly challenging match. His rather lenient style and communication worked quite well. I would argue that 24' (Dive), 47' (Tackle), 50' (Dissent), 60' (PI) and 74' (Reckless kick in the air) were all possible cautions, but as you correctly said, rather superflous in the big picture. I would even say the wrong flag in 90'+4 was not that crucial, striker did not notice and Kahn claimed the ball still. Well seen simulation in 85'!
ReplyDeleteAgain, I agree: What FIFA wanted, Meier delivered.