oh oh, Sepp's not going to be happy....

After a sizzling start to the WC, a few things have gone pear shaped during the final round, let's start with the obvious.

Luis Suarez biting Chiellini isn't exactly a great advertisement for the great game.  Who, other than Suarez, does that?  I don't get it.  Anyone who has played competitive soccer has thought to themselves at some point "that bastard, I'll have him".  Some lash out with a hand or foot, but the smarter players take a number.

(Balotelli take note)
One of the great things about footy is that when you make a good tackle, you are allowed to some extent to follow through on an opponent who has stuck a toe in.  That was always my first hope, that I could nail him in a fair tackle.  It didn't always work out that way and on one occasion I had to wait two weeks to exact a measure of revenge (made it all the sweeter... a clumsy challenge on the half way line "sorry ref").

Suarez will surely be out for the remainder of the tournament and it will be no Suarez - no progress for the Uruguayan squad.

More dodgy refereeing.  There used to be some simple rules when calling penalties, they weren't in the rules, but they made sense. 

1. If a player had lost control of the ball and was then tripped - no penalty
2. If a player was heading away from goal and was tripped - no penalty
3. You basically had to be taking away a goal scoring chance.
4. It had to be a clear penalty and there had to be clear intent.
5. If any challenge was scything or violent, disregard 1-3, it's a penalty

Let's look at some recent calls:

• Costa Rica - Italy.  Tico player beats defender in box and gets cleaned out by the last defender who falls theatrically like he didn't see him coming.  No penalty.  Surest penalty since Suarez hand balled it off the line in 2010.
• England - Costa Rica.  Sturridge about to shoot from the 6 yard line, and Tico defender takes his leg out.  No call???  Sure penalty.  Obvious.  Who dives when hey are shooting from the 6 (ok maybe Ronaldo).
• Greece v Cote d'Ivoire.  If I kick the back of the leg of an opposing defender and fall to the ground, it's not a penalty.  Poor poor decision that made the difference between which team took an early flight home.

Also, how was that a straight red card in the Italy - Uruguay game?

Some of the top teams just aren't performing.

Leaving aside the already departed of Spain, Italy and England,  Brazil are struggling.  Thank goodness for Neymar.  Argentina are struggling.  Thank goodness for Messi.  Portugal are struggling.

Another thing we can do without is boring final round robin games.  Case in point England v Costa Rica.  England started all the spares which meant they were very disjointed as they hadn't played together as a team and Costa Rica, needing only a tie had their keeper wasting time with 43 minutes left!  Also, they never had fewer than 6 defenders in their half and relied on kick and chase for offence.  Costa Rica vs. Greece in the round of 16 could be a real doozy.

Some more good games to come today....