2014 World Cup

[osarusan]

Do you think then it should be a simple case of: careless if no contact is made with the ball but the man is taken out; not careless if contact is made with the ball?

Basically yes. The Zabaleta decision shows us that the current rule can look unsuitable at times, but I can't imagine a better one.

[DannyInvincible]

Is there any circumstance then where contact might be made with the ball under which you could envisage a penalty being given or under which you think a penalty should be given? What about, say, when the tackler first goes lightly through the foot of the attacker to make contact with the ball?

Law 12 does specify that the judgment as to whether or not a foul has occurred should be made "irrespective of the position of the ball". Of what consequence, if any, should that be here? Does it lessen the significance of making contact with the ball and render more significant the specific action of the tackler? I'm not certain either way; just throwing out some thoughts and questions.

[pineapple stu]

The old over the top tackle might be what you're talking about there? Studs up, tackle from the front but the point is to follow through the ball to the shins. Definite free. Outlawed years ago I'm fairly sure

[DannyInvincible]

Hehe, I was thinking something a little more subtle; no studs showing, the tackler slides without substantial force through the foot of the attacker to get in clean contact with the ball. No harm is done but the attacker is tripped.

[geysir]

It's not really the question I'm asking - in fact it's the question I don't want referees to have to ask, because it means getting into the whole degrees of contact question, and having to make a decision on whether there was 'enough' contact with the ball (and a definition of 'enough' too).

I didn't see the game, and have only seen clips of the penalty decision. I learned on here that the referee gave a goal kick, so I have no idea what his thought process was on the incident. His decision would suggest that he didn't see Zabaleta make any contact with the ball, but in that case, how could he not give a penalty?

From the ref's angle, which is the angle of truth, Zabaleta got a touch on the ball and it rebounded of the attacker's foot, that's why he gave a goal kick.

[DannyInvincible]

Thibaut Courtois has yet to lose a game for Belgium. I don't see that changing today, although Russia do look to be offering a bit more already than they did against South Korea.

The BBC commentator was suggesting that the cameras focused on Sepp Blatter's presence in the stadium during the anthems so that the crowd wouldn't have a chance to boo him. It wouldn't surprise me seeing as he's regularly booed by crowds when he appears on the big screen.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

How did we conspire to make Russia look so good in the Euro '12 campaign? They are f***ing pants...

I know they are missing a lot of the same players - Shirokov might make a bit of a difference - but bloody hell...

[Razors left peg]

Because we had a manager who was too subborn or incapable of changing his ridiculous tactics to match them

[Razors left peg]

Belgium are frustrating average when you consider the players they have

[NeverFeltBetter]

Assume this remarkably defensive Russian attitude stems from expectation of a point here and three against Algeria. Hope Belgians punish them for it.

[Razors left peg]

This is the worst/ most disappointing game of the tournament so far

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Amazing how Belgium found a higher gear out of nowhere over the last ten minutes. Mertens and De Bruyne were like different players in the first half. If they had brought on Januzaj to get at the vulnerable Kombarov, and brought on Defour and/or Mirallas on earlier they could probably have killed off Russia much sooner.

Can't see Capello managing Russia on home soil in 2018..

[DannyInvincible]

Given the timing in the game and the magnitude of the occasion, Origi's finish was very composed for a 19-year-old. It was the type of chance that many a decent striker would scuff under pressure or blare over the bar.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Terrible contest. Belgium have had half an hour of decent play in 180 minutes.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Given the timing in the game and the magnitude of the occasion, Origi's finish was very composed for a 19-year-old. It was the type of chance that many a decent striker would scuff under pressure or blare over the bar.

Like Dzeko last night.

[BonnieShels]

This Algerian anthem is lethal.

[Stuttgart88]

Is there any circumstance then where contact might be made with the ball under which you could envisage a penalty being given or under which you think a penalty should be given? What about, say, when the tackler first goes lightly through the foot of the attacker to make contact with the ball?

Law 12 does specify that the judgment as to whether or not a foul has occurred should be made "irrespective of the position of the ball". Of what consequence, if any, should that be here? Does it lessen the significance of making contact with the ball and render more significant the specific action of the tackler? I'm not certain either way; just throwing out some thoughts and questions.

Hutton's tackle on Shane Long. Took a lot of the ball but red card all day long for me.

[DannyInvincible]

This Algerian anthem is lethal.

So good, you've had it on repeat for nearly half an hour?

[DannyInvincible]

South Korea aren't up to much at all. Algeria completely dominant here with ten shots on goal already after half an hour compared to none for South Korea. Algeria should take second in this group with at least a draw in their final game against Russia.

Terrible contest. Belgium have had half an hour of decent play in 180 minutes.

To be fair, they have come up against two units who were more interested in keeping things tight at the back. Russia weren't interested in three points today. Such contests will never be the most enthralling for those looking for end-to-end flair like, say, Germany-Ghana last night. Belgium might have looked limited and frustrated at times during both games, but they eventually came through with two deserved victories.

Like Dzeko last night.

Exactly. That was an unforgivable miss. He and Bosnia must be kicking themselves today.

Hutton's tackle on Shane Long. Took a lot of the ball but red card all day long for me.

Would it constitute a foul in osarusan's book?

[NeverFeltBetter]

This unfolding result is a disaster for the Russians. They'll need to beat Algeria by two clear goals as it stands, and it could yet get worse.