Recent Comments
Re: “When cynicism succeeds: Deliberate handball lifts Uruguay over Ghana”
I too am a little surprised over the hand wringing over this incident. The fact that the victim were the quarterfinal's sentimental choice likely has a lot to do with it. I was pulling for Ghana too, but Suarez absolutely did the right thing and has absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. Other sports have their equivalent actions from the foul to 'make them earn it from the free throw line' in basketball to defensive backs interfering if they're about to be beat for a touchdown. Fouls (including handballs) are part of the game and calling them cheating is ridiculous. I challenge the protesters to find one professional player refering to this action as cheating.
And yes, there is something different about 'dragging a player down from behind to stop a one-on-one;' it risks injury to the player and is a much more cynical play.
Re: “When cynicism succeeds: Deliberate handball lifts Uruguay over Ghana”
Lol, you're right. I should have stipulated a non-Ghanian player.
I would have preferred to see in Ghana in the next round, especially compared to seeing Uruguay without their best player. They play an exciting and creative game of football and it would be wonderful to have an African team still alive. My heart aches for the guy who missed the penalty, but a hand ball is no more a deliberate exploitation of the rules than grabbing a jersey and pulling down a player in the penalty box. Will there be cries of cheating regarding the two penalty shots in the Spain v Paraguay game?
I'd say a better basketball analogy would be a deliberate foul on a break away. The guy still has to make the free throws.
Apologies if I seemed to suggest you'd endorse trying the injure a player. That certainly wasn't my intent, but I do somehow consider pulling down someone on a breakaway a more cowardly and contrary to the spirit of the game foul than a desperation handball. Opinions vary, I guess. Enjoy the rest of the cup.
Who do you like the rest of the way? Do you think the young German team can keep up this incredible run? I was pulling for Argentina, but the German's have been incredible; rock solid defense and lightning quick offence.