56 ESPPOR Baldassi
After three group stage matches which probably did not count as the most high-profile (SRBGHA - NEDJPN - SUIHON), Héctor Baldassi was appointed to handle one of the tournament's most high profile ties in the knockout stage - the Iberian derby between Spain and Portugal.
The game itself was quite disappointing, and unfortunately decided by the officials - even if Spain deservedly won regardless. Baldassi on the whole was okay, and brilliant to send off Ricardo Costa, but delivered surely his weakest performance of four World Cup 2010 insets.
The game itself was quite disappointing, and unfortunately decided by the officials - even if Spain deservedly won regardless. Baldassi on the whole was okay, and brilliant to send off Ricardo Costa, but delivered surely his weakest performance of four World Cup 2010 insets.
That a comment on the appointment so much as the Argentine's, very good, idiosyncratic style - but the breakdown between him and his assistant referee Hernán Maidana for the games only goal, is rather poor, not least in a World Cup knockout match.
Let's start then with the two key decisions of the evening, beginning with the decisive call - goal to Spain.
Let's start then with the two key decisions of the evening, beginning with the decisive call - goal to Spain.
Key Match Incidents
63' - Goal to Spain; offside? (AR2)
I guess this is a minority view but as a team, Héctor Baldassi and Hernán Maidana's mistake is much worse than Rosetti-Ayroldi's a couple of days previous, but I doubt that's an argument I'm ever going to win.
Baldassi absolutely had to inform his teammate about the extra touch by Xavi Hernández (backheel) with regards to determining the offside position. If he didn't, then unfortunately the referee simply failed there (especially if Maidana shouted down the comms for it).
If he did, and Maidana still missed the offside, then that's a bit more understandable - given that he might not have been able to see Xavi at all, in that case, it was of course impossible for the assistant to take a snapshot of the situation at that moment, if he was totally screened and had no idea it had happened at all.
The referee's rather enthusiastic goal signal (and looking out to Maidana before making it?) suggests that between them they did take some kind of decision in this situation, more than a simple onside from the initial pass. I would even argue that Baldassi could take the decision 70-80% by himself, if he spotted the backheel (as he really ought to have done).
Of course, sh*t happens, but it is quite hard to accept that a mistake like this could decide a World Cup knockout game, especially when the officials have been, and are, working together as teams.
The referee's rather enthusiastic goal signal (and looking out to Maidana before making it?) suggests that between them they did take some kind of decision in this situation, more than a simple onside from the initial pass. I would even argue that Baldassi could take the decision 70-80% by himself, if he spotted the backheel (as he really ought to have done).
Of course, sh*t happens, but it is quite hard to accept that a mistake like this could decide a World Cup knockout game, especially when the officials have been, and are, working together as teams.
CRUCIAL MISTAKE
89' - Red card to Ricardo Costa
An excellent decision - from quite far away too, Baldassi (uses all his experience and) perfectly perceives what happens here. Costa strikes Joan Capevilla with excessive force while preparing for a jumping duel with him, and the Argentine referee is quickly on the scene to send him off. Well done!
Approach
Unlike his first three matches, Héctor Baldassi didn't convince me with his performance. On the most basic level, his match control was good and technical accuracy decent, but on a World Cup knockout stage niveau, one could hope for a bit more.
Baldassi made too many mistakes in foul detection (7', 16', 20', 35', 46', 50'), started issuing cards too late (very clear caution missed at 55', missed opportunities to draw the line at 64' after advantage, 67' tactical foul), and seemed to tire at the end (85', 87, +93').
Not a poor performance by any means, but short of a World Cup knockout stage expectation in my view. Personally, I would have swapped Kassai's and Baldassi's second round appointments - their respective styles would have suited the other's match better, in my opinion (and Ghana surely would have accepted him again).
Not a poor performance by any means, but short of a World Cup knockout stage expectation in my view. Personally, I would have swapped Kassai's and Baldassi's second round appointments - their respective styles would have suited the other's match better, in my opinion (and Ghana surely would have accepted him again).
Besides the goal and correctly indicating an offside at 44', Hernán Maidana was quiet; Ricardo Casas even quieter.
Balance
Héctor Baldassi was a very good referee who had a really strong World Cup overall. Many refs' weakest performance was much worse than this one. However, he was left a bit short in this game - which for me says more about FIFA's appointment, than Baldassi.
Given how the last eight matches played out, Baldassi could only really have been appointed for one more game after this one: the final itself. Despite his overall satisfying performances, I personally wouldn't quite consider him in that very lofty echelon.
The Argentine referee's idiosyncratic, relaxed style was another of the 2010-format officials whose way of handling the games would be a casualty of the FIFA revolution on the road to the next World Cup, especially given Baldassi's more limited physical condition. One shouldn't live in the past, but for me that certainly is a great shame.
The Argentine referee's idiosyncratic, relaxed style was another of the 2010-format officials whose way of handling the games would be a casualty of the FIFA revolution on the road to the next World Cup, especially given Baldassi's more limited physical condition. One shouldn't live in the past, but for me that certainly is a great shame.
| Héctor Baldassi - 7,8(2) Ricardo Casas - 8,4 Hernán Maidana - 7,9(4) Carlos Batres Carlos Pastrana ARG – GUA, HON | Spain 1-0 Portugal Round of Sixteen 29 June |
 Alonso (74') - Tackle | Tiago (80') - Tackle |
 Costa (89') - Violent Conduct (Striking) |
Trios removed by FIFA before the quarterfinal:
Coulibaly, Larrionda, Busacca, Rosetti, Lannoy and all reserve (Mohd Salleh, O'Leary, Aguilar, Vázquez, Hansson).
All other trios retained.
Quarterfinal games will be published (in the same time slots as the R16 matches) on Saturday and Sunday... hope everyone is enjoying the reports / HL so far!
ReplyDeleteAs always, it's a pleasure!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Ro16 matches at WC2010 were strange: They were either rather boring and tiring affairs (even the refereeing) or they were well delivered (but with one big refereeing mistake). Baldassi's was both, although their crucial mistake was not the most "glaring" one, despite its decisive nature.
ReplyDeleteBaldassi did seem a bit tired here - perhaps his fourth match was too much for his fitness and mental alertness - it would explain a less strict line and the number of small errors. Very good job on the VC though!