Once again; Robben was contacted. The contact was enough for Mexico to gain a clear advantage because to prevented an attacking player from continuing his run on goal. That's a penalty regardless of how the attacking player went to the turf.

The advantage did not come from the contact; the advantage came when Robben decided to go to the ground.

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The advantage did not come from the contact; the advantage came when Robben decided to go to the ground.

 

There's no way to know if Robben could have continued if he had tried to fight through it. The ref was standing 14 meters away with a clear line of sight and didn't hesitate for a second.

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An opinion is always biased. That doesn't automatically devalue it though. 

 

It sure lessons the objectivity involved (ie: here).

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It sure lessons the objectivity involved (ie: here).

Objective opinion is an oxymoron. Facts are objective, interpretation of the facts (the form of opinion relevant here) is subjective. The objective fact here is the Mexican defender contacted Robben, my subjective opinion is that this contact was sufficient to warrant a penalty.

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It was a soft foul, one that could really have gone either way IMO. He got caught, but really played it up.


It was definitely less of a foul than the one that happened at the end of the first half that wasn't called.

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Objective opinion is an oxymoron. Facts are objective, interpretation of the facts (the form of opinion relevant here) is subjective. The objective fact here is the Mexican defender contacted Robben, my subjective opinion is that this contact was sufficient to warrant a penalty.

If it was sufficient then there's no need to simulate the foul. Committing a foul while being fouled is still a foul and is supposed to be rewarded with a yellow card, not a PK.

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Objective opinion is an oxymoron. Facts are objective, interpretation of the facts (the form of opinion relevant here) is subjective. The objective fact here is the Mexican defender contacted Robben, my subjective opinion is that this contact was sufficient to warrant a penalty.

 

From Dictionary.com:

 

Objective:

"<span>not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased: </span><span><span>an objective opinion."</span></span>

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If it was sufficient then there's no need to simulate the foul. Committing a foul while being fouled is still a foul and is supposed to be rewarded with a yellow card, not a PK.

He didn't simulate the foul, I will admit he played it up but that's not illegal. 

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From Dictionary.com:

 

Objective:

"<span>not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased: </span><span><span>an objective opinion."</span></span>

 

Just a comment from a casual observer, but I don't think DF is claiming to be unbiased.

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If something can corrupt you, you're corrupted already.
- Bob Marley


 

From Dictionary.com:


Objective:

"not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased: an objective opinion."

You need friends

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Stepping away from the penalty for a second; Herrera was thoroughly outcoached by Van Gaal today. He substituted his only offensive threat after the first goal and went on the defensive against a team that had shown they can fight back from a goal down. When the Dutch changed tactics the first time he didn't have answer and when he finally did adjust during the cooling break Van Gaal was a step ahead again by changing tactics a second time. 

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If was a clear penalty IMO - but that dosent stop Roben bring a contemptuous piece of poo. Soccer suffers greatly from the theatrics of the likes of him.


That said, go Orange!

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If was a clear penalty IMO - but that dosent stop Roben bring a contemptuous piece of poo. Soccer suffers greatly from the theatrics of the likes of him.


That said, go Orange!

Please, Robben was dominating for the last 20 minutes, none of the Mexican defenders could stop him. Anyone with a brain could see he was either going to score or get a penalty eventually.

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Stepping away from the penalty for a second; Herrera was thoroughly outcoached by Van Gaal today. He substituted his only offensive threat after the first goal and went on the defensive against a team that had shown they can fight back from a goal down. When the Dutch changed tactics the first time he didn't have answer and when he finally did adjust during the cooling break Van Gaal was a step ahead again by changing tactics a second time.

I agree with you. I didn't think he should've gone as defensive there. Although, it did actually hold until 88'. So, they came very close.


The penalty, I'm not so sure about. Robben's theatrics makes it look ridiculous, IMO. It looked like Robben wasnt even touched. However, if he hadn't have left his feet and dove forward looking for the call, he would've been touched/tripped legitimately. So, it's an acceptable call, to me. At least it wasn't a horrible call for a ludicrous flop that determined a knockout stage result. I really, really hope that doesn't happen in any of these elimination games to come (even if it is the US). That'll suck.


I love WC Football. What I don't like is all the diving/flopping for calls. It's part of the game, I know. But, it reeks of unsportsmanlike behavior, to me.


The Dutch are a masterful team. And, a few of their players masterfully dive/flop a lot for calls. It's part of the game, and they use it. They're so good though, not sure they need all that. They could win this cup.


P.S. - Mexico was a team playing very well in this tournament. Regardless of what a few on here might've thought, they had a real shot to win this match. And, very nearly did (so close). Kudos to them.


Too bad a lot of their fans are **#$%&.

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That penalty was a pure gift.

 

No kidding.  I just can't believe they make that call during that stage of the game.   Teams were 9 of10 (90%) during group play on penalty kicks.  To give Netherlands the game at this stage of the World Cup really sucks for Mexico.  The refs have such an impact on the game .... kind of glad I'm just a fan of the game every 4 years --- although I do like the Sounders-Timbers games and I'll be a fan of the MLS Orlando team as well.   oh, and of course our NASL team here.

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If was a clear penalty IMO - but that dosent stop Roben bring a contemptuous piece of poo. Soccer suffers greatly from the theatrics of the likes of him.


That said, go Orange!

I couldn't agree more with everything, particularly the theatrics part. It really takes away from the game. Guys look to dive for calls the vast majority of the time. I think some take acting classes, some could teach acting classes.

 

FIFA, and the powers that be in some of the higher powered leagues need to reel it in and it wouldn't be that difficult imo.

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TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

No kidding.  I just can't believe they make that call during that stage of the game.   Teams were 9 of10 (90%) during group play on penalty kicks.  To give Netherlands the game at this stage of the World Cup really sucks for Mexico.  The refs have such an impact on the game .... kind of glad I'm just a fan of the game every 4 years --- although I do like the Sounders-Timbers games and I'll be a fan of the MLS Orlando team as well.   oh, and of course our NASL team here.

 

LOL - that sounds like fans of the NFL, and the NBA for that matter. Everyone wishes the refs didn't have such an impact on the games (unless it's in our favor; then, it was an obviously correct call.) I guess it's like that everywhere in every sport.

 

As an semi-uneducated soccer observer (can't say I'm a fan, as I only watch during World Cup sessions) I'm wondering if the faking and flopping is taught or is it learned as kids come up through the ranks. I've really enjoyed the WC games - sorry - matches I've seen, but some of these guys act as if they where shot by a sniper if anyone breathes on them.

 

And the clock continuing to run while players complain to the refs is really hard getting used to. But still, very enjoyable.

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The sun's not yellow, it's chicken.

There's no way to know if Robben could have continued if he had tried to fight through it. The ref was standing 14 meters away with a clear line of sight and didn't hesitate for a second.

 

To make that call in the 92nd minute while 5 Mexican defenders were lined up ready to make the steal and/or block a shot is terrible.   Referees have enough common sense here in the US to know when to make a call and when to swallow your whistle.  There's a toughness in the US that doesn't translate to the world of Soccer as it is played today.  I don't blame the players, I blame the Commissioners of the Organization & Leagues for not changing the FLOP System that you all have.

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To be honest, I'm almost to the point where I believe the game as a whole is getting more exciting then the NFL, provided they could eliminate the FLOPS.

 

.... they lost me over the week when I watched Ivory Coast get eliminated on the same FLOPPING this past week as well.

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Is Dempsey the only guy in the tournament whose shown some actual blood spewing from getting hurt? If so, 'Murrica.

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