14 BRAPRK Kassai

 

Brazil defeated Korea DPR in a game much tighter than many expected, by two goals to one. Maicon scored his famous goal, but his Korean opponents could certainly hold their heads high after a courageous performance, and a well deserved strike at the end themselves. 

Viktor Kassai was FIFA's joker in the pack. Pushed hard by them after the last World Cup, and referee of the Beijing 2008 final, his appointment to this middle ranking group stage game was perhaps to gauge what he would capable of at this World Cup without chucking him in at the deep end. 

Kassai really stood out here. His style very visibly offered something totally different to all the other referees at the tournament. There will be more to say about that in future matches.

But here, he faced probably the easiest match of all sixty-four in the tournament (though that is also to his credit). These highlights aren't the shortest of the tournament for nothing!

Hungarian referee waited until 88' to show the first (and only) card, despite being presented with numerous (13', 43', 58', 70', 77') opportunities to do so before. But not at any point did you feel that he was not in total control of the game. Good performance. 

Hungarian referee had passed the test, FIFA were definitely proved right in the sharp focus they put him under since 2006, and he could look forward to a much bigger second appointment.  

Assistants did not have much to do on what looked like a pretty chilly evening - Tibor Vámos correctly flagged a clear and important offside at 88'.

Viktor Kassai - 8,3 Gábor Erős - 8,4 Tibor Vámos - 8,4 Subkiddin Mohd Salleh Mù Yùxīn HUN – MAS, CHN	Brazil 2-1 DPR Korea Group Stage 15 June
Ramires (88') - Tackle