6 KSADEN Castrilli

 

Denmark defeated Saudi Arabia by a single goal in a dour game to open the host's group at World Cup 1998. 

Referee was Javier Castrilli from Argentina, noted for a rigorous approach in his games. This match was rather below the pay-grade of Castrilli, who was probably the best man on the pitch. 

Big Decisions

The crucial decision of this game was taken by the Chilean assistant Jorge Díaz Gálvez to allow the only goal of the game for Denmark, determining that Marc Rieper was onside from the centre at 68'. Here is the closest frame for when the cross is struck.

That angle is the only one we get, it is a bit odd, but the still does present the left feet of the second last Saudi player and Rieper being (close to) dead level when you look at the goal area line. The biggest problem is that Díaz Gálvez had to have guessed - you can see that he is out of position. 

To be fair, the Chilean AR is a bit unlucky - he has just made a solid onside call, Mohammed al-Jahani playing the attacker on, but Díaz Gálvez just focuses on that man (no.2), not realising that there now is a player deeper than him. When he does realise, it is too late - but the assistant does the right thing and in doubt, keeps the flag down. 

Ultimately, we should support Díaz Gálvez, but it would be much easier to do so if he was in line. Besides 68', the officials weren't really invited to take any big decisions (correct play on at 58'). 

Managing the Game

Comfortably the most boorish game of the World Cup so far was no trouble for Argentine Javier Castrilli, who had a good afternoon. 

Referee Castrilli sorted out four cautions, which were all correct / supportable. Probably the key decision of the game was 12' - having cautioned at 11' (close to SFP but yellow the right call), he booked Morten Wieghorst for a tactical foul, which ensured the game was played on fair lines. 

What I really liked about this performance is how Castrilli served football - he didn't want to be the focus, reffing unobtrusively and often whistled fouls with very short toots on the whistle. At the beginning, his whistle tone was on a couple of occasions even too quiet, and the players didn't hear it to start with!

Castrilli was not an unwavering policeman, showing common-sense (no SPA call at +93') and not inflaming the game with unnecessary cards (3', 18', 19', 80'). I don't think he was too aggressive in defending his call at 19', the players clearly respected him. 

A couple of technical considerations:
- advantage procedures for both the first half cautions weren't optimal, no signal at 11', was the delayed whistle too long at 12'?

- ref was wrong to pull up Denmark for foot-up at 34', denying them a promising attack; it was the safer, but incorrect choice

Very fit, Castrilli glided around the field of play and while certainly a serious figure, one had the impression he was enjoying himself all the while. At the toss, it was heartening to see his smiley interaction with fourth official Hugh Dallas, whom he obviously wanted to feel part of the (majority South American) team. 

Assistant Referees

Analysis of the onside call for the only goal is above - besides that, Claudio Rossi (13', 22', 50') and Jorge Díaz Gálvez (79') performed well. 

Balance

Javier Castrilli was a high class referee, who perfectly showed how to combine being a law-enforcer and serving the football match in front of him. This game was not really a challenge for the Argentine - good performance, a second appointment is obviously a given. 

Javier Castrilli - 7 Claudio Rossi - 7 Jorge Díaz Gálvez - 7 Hugh Dallas ARG, ARG, CHI	Saudi Arabia 0-1 Denmark Group Stage 12 June
al-Muwallid (11') - Tackle	Wieghorst (12') - Lack of Respect (Holding) Rieper (60') - Dissent Nielsen (72') - Tackle