17 SCONOR Vágner
Scotland and Norway played a keenly fought score draw which left both teams in with a decent shout of qualifying after the final group match.
Referee was Hungarian László Vágner. Most famously he had to face an extremely tricky first half penalty appeal, where he gave a freekick, and besides that a quite challenging duel between two quite physical teams - Vágner had a good afternoon.
I also liked how he didn't ignore dissents at both 2' and 59', but spoke to the offending players, even if their actions were rather flippant and easily ignored all things considered.
He was unlucky to be struck by the ball whilst ducking at 80', but his positioning from the 17' freekick was noteworthy - I could almost hear the tones of the referee instructors from my childhood again, shouting "always keep your assistant in view!", ringing in my ears!
Big Decisions
There is only one place to start! Should Vágner have awarded a penalty for the trip on Gordon Durie, which the referee assessed as being outside the penalty area.
Anybody who has refereed a game with assistant referees will realise what a total nightmare this situation is in terms of the diagonal positioning path; an additional assistant referee would have come in very handy here!
German television's graphics are useful to see what kind of view László Vágner would have had, but they come to the wrong conclusion in my view - the Hungarian official was excellently correct to award a freekick in my eyes.
Anybody who has refereed a game with assistant referees will realise what a total nightmare this situation is in terms of the diagonal positioning path; an additional assistant referee would have come in very handy here!
German television's graphics are useful to see what kind of view László Vágner would have had, but they come to the wrong conclusion in my view - the Hungarian official was excellently correct to award a freekick in my eyes.
The most obvious contact is the 'trapping' one, which undoubtedly occurs in the box, but that isn't what trips Gordon Durie. Close inspection shows that Durie was felled by Stig Inge Bjørnebye's left foot just, and really only just, outside, before Durie generates the later contact himself. A clear foul for sure, but the only decisive contact was outside. Very well seen by referee Vágner in my view!
Otherwise - we were denied replays I would have been very interested in of penalty appeals towards the end (78', 88') and I think the ref was quite right not to send Gordon Durie off at (83'), any offence was definitely careless for my money.
Managing the Game
László Vágner's use of sanctions was not optimal, but I would say he had a good game overall.
The Hungarian referee started well - small warning after 4' was perfect, Gordon Durie's sliding foul at 23' was on the borderline, again warning was fine, and then a minute later when Durie was late on Vidar Riseth, the Scotland player was the first man booked. Well played.
Vágner declined to issue any more first half cautions - he might have at 30' (tactical trip), 35' (tactical hold) and 41' (late tackle). It seemed like the expectation in these scenes - it was mine too by the way - was that yellow cards would be given in these situations.
Against that background, Kjetil Rekdal's name being taken at 54', no clear SPA or reckless, was rather harsh compared to his first half line. Personally, I would have preferred it if Vágner stuck to his guns and didn't admonish Rekdal with a card there, to be honest.
That being said, at 56' and 59' he did really well. In the former scene, he was straight over to punish a very reckless (no contact) tackle, and prevent any conflict. At 59', he excellently remembered that Henning Berg made a very similar foul at 30' (aforementioned), and showed him yellow for a tactical foul.
Especially 59' was really impressive - in terms of managing the players and aiming for a consistent line in disciplinary measures, on both counts, that was a brilliant call. It ensured that the rest of the game was played along calm lines, good work.
The Hungarian referee started well - small warning after 4' was perfect, Gordon Durie's sliding foul at 23' was on the borderline, again warning was fine, and then a minute later when Durie was late on Vidar Riseth, the Scotland player was the first man booked. Well played.
Vágner declined to issue any more first half cautions - he might have at 30' (tactical trip), 35' (tactical hold) and 41' (late tackle). It seemed like the expectation in these scenes - it was mine too by the way - was that yellow cards would be given in these situations.
Against that background, Kjetil Rekdal's name being taken at 54', no clear SPA or reckless, was rather harsh compared to his first half line. Personally, I would have preferred it if Vágner stuck to his guns and didn't admonish Rekdal with a card there, to be honest.
That being said, at 56' and 59' he did really well. In the former scene, he was straight over to punish a very reckless (no contact) tackle, and prevent any conflict. At 59', he excellently remembered that Henning Berg made a very similar foul at 30' (aforementioned), and showed him yellow for a tactical foul.
Especially 59' was really impressive - in terms of managing the players and aiming for a consistent line in disciplinary measures, on both counts, that was a brilliant call. It ensured that the rest of the game was played along calm lines, good work.
I also liked how he didn't ignore dissents at both 2' and 59', but spoke to the offending players, even if their actions were rather flippant and easily ignored all things considered.
He was unlucky to be struck by the ball whilst ducking at 80', but his positioning from the 17' freekick was noteworthy - I could almost hear the tones of the referee instructors from my childhood again, shouting "always keep your assistant in view!", ringing in my ears!
In general, I was rather fascinated by Vágner's manner - supported by gestures maybe slightly excessive, he had one of the most natural leadership styles I've ever seen (à la Michel Vautrot, Argentine who attended WC 2002 Ángel Sánchez). The players accepted him as referee without much trouble in this one.
Assistant Referees
Quiet one for our Czech and Swiss ARs in general, but Laurent Rausis had to take a huge call for this game at +92', and while we can't be sure from the television footage, to say I have doubts about the decision would be an understatement.
I cannot see how Colin Hendry is doing anything other than playing the attacker onside, even if he is out of shot at the moment the pass is played. The other defender had slipped in trying to catch up, and Norway could have been in 1-on-1 with almost the last kick of the game if onside. So, big call, which we will have to support.
Otherwise, Rausis and Evžen Amler (solid onsides 27', equalising goal) did well.
I cannot see how Colin Hendry is doing anything other than playing the attacker onside, even if he is out of shot at the moment the pass is played. The other defender had slipped in trying to catch up, and Norway could have been in 1-on-1 with almost the last kick of the game if onside. So, big call, which we will have to support.
Otherwise, Rausis and Evžen Amler (solid onsides 27', equalising goal) did well.
Balance
Promising performance by László Vágner - I would say he is ready for a big and/or important second game.
| László Vágner - 7 Evžen Amler - 7 Laurent Rausis - 7 Abdulrahman Al-Zaid HUN, CZE, SUI | Scotland 1-1 Norway Group Stage 16 June |
 Durie (24') - Challenge Jackson (56') - Tackle | Rekdal (54') - Tackle Berg (59') - Persistent Infringement |
Still have doubts about inside/outside, but there is no clear image, so benefit of doubt goes to Vagner.
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