35 SCOMAR Bujsaim
Morocco comfortably defeated Scotland by three goals to nothing, in a game that thanks to Norway's controversial comeback against Brazil (BRANOR (out at 5GMT today*)), was rendered irrelevant in the fight for Group A's second qualification spot.
Five referees had been rejected by the time that Emirati Ali Bujsaim began his World Cup in this match, the final referee to take charge of his first match. Bujsaim correctly issued a red card, and in general ensured that this somewhat delicate game didn't snowball into a nightmare.
Big Decisions
Ali Bujsaim was forced into a big call when Craig Burley flew in to a pretty crazy tackle on Salaheddine Bassir when his nation had gone two-nil down in the early part of the second half.
Burley met Bassir before hitting the ground, with no chance of reaching the ball, deliberately kicking his opponent out of the game - especially in 1998, an ejection should be expected here.
Burley met Bassir before hitting the ground, with no chance of reaching the ball, deliberately kicking his opponent out of the game - especially in 1998, an ejection should be expected here.
Indeed, the Morocco players thought so too - surrounding both Burley and the referee - and one of them should have been cautioned by Bujsaim for that.
Initially the Emirati ref reached for his notebook, from which he would show a yellow card. Having isolated Burley away from the furious Morocco players, he then reached for his back pocket - red card, Burley was off.
Whether Bujsaim was always going to send him off, or whether he was somewhat guided by the reaction of the Morocco players, we can't be sure.
Otherwise - contrary to Barry Davies, I thought Lencie Fred was correct not to flag for a penalty at 25', at least in my eyes, there was no clear handling offence.
Initially the Emirati ref reached for his notebook, from which he would show a yellow card. Having isolated Burley away from the furious Morocco players, he then reached for his back pocket - red card, Burley was off.
Whether Bujsaim was always going to send him off, or whether he was somewhat guided by the reaction of the Morocco players, we can't be sure.
Otherwise - contrary to Barry Davies, I thought Lencie Fred was correct not to flag for a penalty at 25', at least in my eyes, there was no clear handling offence.
Managing the Game
Ali Bujsaim had totally changed his way of refereeing from the last World Cup - and for the better. With a quite uniquely synthesised disciplinary control, he did a good job in this match.
After a couple of late challenges (5', 14') and potential SPA fouls (17', 18'), the Emirati referee decided to issue the first caution for a small player altercation. A smart choice - it helped placate the players of both teams.
In general his disciplinary control, in stark contrast to 1994, was epitomised by extreme attentiveness (plus leniency), which proved very effective in this match. This was most visible after aerial duels, and also to prevent larger confrontations (eg. 75').
To be fair to Bujsaim, he managed to perfectly read when presence was more required (56', 58'), versus a card (81'). His disciplinary line was not totally predictable, but was genuinely consistent (enough) and good in my view.
To be fair to Bujsaim, he managed to perfectly read when presence was more required (56', 58'), versus a card (81'). His disciplinary line was not totally predictable, but was genuinely consistent (enough) and good in my view.
Closely following play all the while, pulling off this approach was genuinely quite impressive - the Emirati clearly had the fitness and game-reading skills to clear this game, well-played by Bujsaim.
Assistant Referees
Besides the non-penalty call, only one offside for Lencie Fred (84'), which we couldn't see properly from the live sequence. Costa Rican assistant Luis Torres Zúñiga was right to flag at 76', but wrong at 29'. Despite a still good performance (8,3), this was the end for Torres Zúñiga.
A small note - Vítor Melo Pereira replaced the originally appointed Mario van der Ende as fourth official, on account of the Dutchman's appointment to the crucial Spain - Bulgaria match the next day.
A small note - Vítor Melo Pereira replaced the originally appointed Mario van der Ende as fourth official, on account of the Dutchman's appointment to the crucial Spain - Bulgaria match the next day.
Balance
Good performance by Ali Bujsaim - a second appointment, in the knockout stage, should follow.
| Ali Bujsaim - 7 Luis Torres Zúñiga - 7 Lencie Fred - 7 Vítor Melo Pereira UAE, CRC, VAN | Scotland 0-3 Morocco Group Stage 23 June |
 Gallacher (21') - Aggressive Behaviour | Chippo (81') - SPA (Impeding) |
 Burley (54') - Serious Foul Play |
What did you mean by "five referees had been rejected"?
ReplyDeleteLim, Durkin, Levnikov, Bouchardeau and Toro Rendón all had their performances determined as subpar and were informed that they weren't going to referee again at the tournament.
DeleteIt seems... interesting to me anyway that one of the referees with great political value, perhaps THE most politically important referee of them all, was the final referee to begin his competition.