In the real world, when we say a belief is true what we are saying is that we hold the belief for the best possible reasons. For those interested in holding beliefs actually for the best possible reasons, this means testing our reasons against any other competing reasons in order to make sure our beliefs are appropriate. It is this testing and willingness to revise our beliefs according to sound reasoning that makes certain reasons count as the best possible reasons.
In Sepp Blatter-World, Sepp Blatter holds things to be to be true because he says so. Since Mr. Blatter believes his reasons are the best because they spring from his own self, the person for whom he has the most infinite esteem, he takes himself as an authority of having opinions on things. Thus, in Sepp Blatter-World, we need not bother with such pesky things as consulting evidence.
Evidence such as a ball crossing line. Evidence such as that whether or not a ball crosses a line may disconfirm the hypothesis that soccer does not need goal line technology.
The question of whether or not the ball crossed the goal line is a yes or no question, which can be confirmed or denied by evidence. It has almost zero negative consequences to review. To fail to review can alter tournaments and change the fate of nations. Goal line technology does not interrupt the flow of the match, because the question of whether the ball crosses the line or not is an infrequent question. There are no questions of player simulation, no interpretations of intent, no hand-to-ball, ball-to-hand controversies.
The trade-offs of replay technology on any other type of call in the sport bring costs that likely outweigh the benefits. But if the most elemental rule in the sport can be determined with a 100% accuracy, why on earth would you choose to decide it with less accuracy?
Germany 4, England 2 1
The most overlooked play of the World Cup was taken, I believe, by Mirolsav Klose. On the fourth goal, where Ozil tore down the right hand side and fed a wide open Thomas Muller, Ozil himself was fed an absolutely sublime pass by Klose to send him on his way. Standing on the edge of his own penalty area, Klose flicked a long, curling ball first time down the left flank. Placed perfectly. Spun perfectly. If it was hit by Phil Mickelson, it’d be on ESPN every 15 minutes. As it was, it escaped the notice of much of the match commentary to this point. Too bad, because it struck me as microcosm of the complete team game that the Germans were able to put together.
As much as there is sure to be talks about the sky falling on this England side, without Rio Ferdinand, their story is similar to the United States. Perhaps a golden generation in the midfield but poor in the back. England escaped the group covering for their deficiencies in the back, but a better side made them pay for it. I think it’s a legitimate question as to how many of those goals go in against a healthy, first-choice England defensive set up.
Argentina 3, Mexico 1
This was another match where an absolutely terrible decision altered the course of the game. After a truly obvious offside call on Carlos Tevez was not given, the match swung from one where the better scoring chances were coming from Mexico to a match where Mexico could not do anything right for about 40 minutes. It would be fair to say that any side that cannot keep its composure on a poor decision is unlikely to mentally stay in the right frame against Argentina for 90 minutes anyway. I am more than inclined to agree with this line of thinking. Nevertheless, I am very sad about this terrible decision because it was a horrible way for the Mexico team to become unraveled. I am sure we would all rather have seen them mentally switch off on a brilliant run by Messi than after conceding a goal that ought to have been disallowed. I am also sad because Mexico were finally asking some real questions of the Argentine defense, who stood still on several occasions while Mexico nearly scored or, in the case of Hernandez’s turn into the box, did score.
Still, Argentina appear an absolute menace right now. They have the ability to really turn the game up a notch and strike with a flurry of brilliant play with almost no warning. They play for each other. They are motivated. They clearly seem free from the pressure of the moment because Maradonna has put it all on his own shoulder for his players, and his players clearly love him for it.
Argentina – Germany for a place in the semifinals? Who do you like?
BEST XI Wiki:
GK: Diego Benaglio (SWI)
FB: Maicon (BRA), Fabio Coentrao (POR)
CB: Winston Reid (NZE), Diego Lugano (URU)
CM: Diego Perez (URU), Kevin Prince Boateng (GHA)
WG: Lionel Messi (ARG), Mesut Ozil (GER)
ST: Miroslav Klose (GER), David Villa (SPA)
Written By Steven
Maloney
(80 Posts) |
Loading ...