Confederations Cup Highlights: Red For The Underdogs
It’s always going to be an uphill battle against the likes of Brazil & Italy. The slope tilts a bit more when going down to ten, which was the case for both Egypt and the USA – despite coming in vastly different circumstances.
Brazil 4-3 Egypt
Brazil got off to their predictably hot Spain-style start, going 3-1 up by half time on the back of some very Brazilian brilliance by Ricky Kaka and some very un-Brazilian standard headers (Luis Fabiano & Juan). Game, right? You’d think so.
But buoyed by a swarm of insect noises, a shocking 60 second surge saw Egypt level things up at 3-3 thruogh Mohamed Shawky (adutioning for a move away from relegated Middlesbrough) and Mohamed Zidan. And that’s how it stayed, until…
…Al Mohamady cleared Pato’s shot off the line in the dying moments, but with his arm. Lying on the floor and pretending his face hrut wasn’t cnovincing Howard Webb, and so it was red card, penalty, Kaka, goal, Brazil win 4-3.
Egypt aren’t taking this lying down though, and have lodged an official complaint about the penalty. Not because it wasn’t handball (hard to deny) but because Egypt feel the decision was made using video evidence. Here’s what Egypt’s assistant coach Gharib Chawki had to say:
“As far as I am aware there is no rule allowing video evidence. We’re not contesting the referee’s decision but the way it was made. Or maybe the rules have changed and nobody has told us.
“Since when do the regulations say there is a penalty which is not blown by the referee? It took three minutes to change the decision while the player was being treated.
“The decision was changed after a statement by the fourth official, after watching the monitor, that it should be a penalty.
Good old Howard Webb, making friends wherever he goes.
Italy 3-1 USA
In the late game, USA and Italy seemed to be reenacting their 1-1 WC 2006 draw in opposite roles when Ricardo Clark was sent off for going in late, high and hard on Rino Gattuso in the 33rd. But surprisingly US pulled the lead through a penalty, won by Jozy Altidore, shortly thereafter.
It all looked roses until the highly controversial Guiseppe Rossi stepped onto the pitch for the Azzurri. Rossi was born to Italian parents who’d recently moved to the US and was thus eligible for the US nat’l team. He moved to Parma early on and signed up to play for the country of his blood, much to the dismay of America. Mere moments after stepping onto the pitch against the country of his birth, Rossi stole the ball, dribbled a bit and unleashed a ripper into the back of the net.
A Daniele De Rossi – some may remember him as the one who was sent off for the bloody skirmish in Germany – bounder and some Pirlo brilliance finished off, once again, by Rossi sealed the 3-1 win and more American hatred for the NJ-native.
So what did we learn today? Red cards = bad.
Confed Cup takes the day of tomorrow, but returns on Wednesday. Full schedule here.
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Comments
By Weston | June 15th, 2009 at 3:29 pm 
I kept thinking go usa, forza italia, go usa, forza italia. Why do they keep getting drawn together?? I was cheering on egypt (mostly because brazil are making it difficult for Italy and the US to make it out of the group) and thought that their 3rd goal was a replay of the second it came so quick, they were really awesome!
Posted from 
United States
By Dustin | June 15th, 2009 at 3:37 pm That’s not really fair to Howard Webb. They’re blaming the 4th official not him. Howard just trusted his teammate.
Posted from United States
By omar | June 15th, 2009 at 4:05 pm man i hope the egyptians earned at least some respect from the world
By Jose | June 15th, 2009 at 4:48 pm Lol, Egyptians are the Rodney Dangerfield of international football 
By OhYes | June 15th, 2009 at 5:38 pm Really? You’re going to challenge the call because the 4th official used the replay to catch your player trying to STEAL a point from Brazil?
That’s pathetic.
By Dustin | June 15th, 2009 at 6:09 pm In Egypts defense they said specifically that it was the right call. They’re concerned that the call was wrongly made. Which yeah doesn’t matter too much, but it shouldn’t be that the 4th official gets instant replay and then makes the decision for the rest of the referee team, it might start being used constantly. Players forcing the referee to look at the big screen, which happens sometimes.
Put another referee on the back line, he’ll support the referee properly.
Posted from United States
By OhYes | June 15th, 2009 at 7:17 pm He’s only admitting to it because they got caught. It probably would have gone unmentioned if they got away with it.
By Dustin | June 15th, 2009 at 8:00 pm I don’t see how that makes a difference to what I said. They’re agreeing that they did something wrong, that’s surprising. You won’t see Ricardo Clark say anything about how he intentionally tried to harm another player.
Posted from United States
By oscarlimatango | June 15th, 2009 at 11:20 pm What was wrong with altidore. He didnt have one good touch, he has lost his pace, and seemed to lazy and cocky. USA needs to be more focused and concentrate on possesion.
By SP | June 16th, 2009 at 12:28 am ohyes- i don’t think anyone is doubting that the fact that the egyptian that got sent off committed a red card offense but the problem in the situation is the precedent that was set with the way the eventual red card was decided. overall, i can’t see fifa replaying the match or anything, but i do hope that they make restrictions stronger on the use of replays.
By OhYes | June 16th, 2009 at 8:32 am Yes I know he’s only mad because of the way he got caught.
I’m saying it doesn’t matter how you get caught as long as you do get caught doing something wrong.
Imagine a thief robs a liquor store, gets caught on camera, and complains to the court that his privacy was taken away or something.
He’s not saying that he wasn’t robbing the store, but IS complaining about how he got caught.
By Enzo | June 16th, 2009 at 10:16 am Full name Giuseppe Rossi
Date of birth February 1, 1987 (age 22)
Place of birth Teaneck, New Jersey, United States
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position Second striker
Club information
Current club Villarreal
Number 22
Youth career
2000–2004 Parma
2004–2006 Manchester United
Senior career1
Years Club App (Gls)2
2005–2007 Manchester United 5 (1)
2006 → Newcastle United (loan) 11 (0)
2007 → Parma (loan) 19 (9)
2007– Villarreal 57 (23)
National team3
2003 Italy U-16 5 (3)
2003–2004 Italy U-17 14 (6)
2004–2005 Italy U-18 3 (0)
2006–2008 Italy U-21 22 (11)
2008– Italy
Giuseppe Rossi move to Parma when he was 13…so he learn to play football in Italy…when you said ” He moved to Parma early on and signed up to play for the country of his blood, much to the dismay of America”… i don’t think that he was thinking about all those things because he was a kid of 13years old…he had a big opportunity and he took it…
he’s 100% Italian…
Posted from 
Italy
By Dustin | June 16th, 2009 at 1:47 pm @ OhYes
If police use illegal means to catch the robber than the robber goes free almost every time. Such as admitting to the crime while being held and beaten or otherwise bullied. It’s illegal so it’s not entered into evidence.
This case is like that, it’s a case of a referee using illegal (against the rules) means to obtain information. It’s right no doubt about that and it’s a good call. However it’s not the rule, and it sets a bad precedent for future games. Pretty soon players will be yelling at refs to look at the replay on the big screen disrupting play constantly.
Posted from United States
By mysterydoc | June 16th, 2009 at 6:49 pm Dustin,thanks for explaining to others the case exactly.anyone thinking that we egyptians are filing a complaint to steal the match is entirely wrong. We admit it is a penalty and me persoanlly i admit mohamadi cheating an injury is very wrong but hey they all do that and btw, brazilians are famous for it.remember 1996 , brazil – USA , the american player got a red card for it and it was apparent that the brazilian was acting, he got caught in the cams if i recall correctly.this was a good American team btw.I voted against the use of technology in referee decisions.it will kill the game.Just think about it, a referee decision being right or wrong is part of the thrill of this game.sometimes you are sad and angry at the decisions other times you’re happy and amused This is what soccer is all about PURE adrenaline rushing entertainment.Last sure not least howard web is a great referee and all his decisions were correct even the penalty.for me its better to say that brazil got lucky with a penalty shoot in the last minute then to say egypt got away with a penalty deserved and brazilians denied the 3 points.There is no comparison between Egypt and Brazil, or italy or spain.They are the best teams worldwide.But Egypt played well in the second half, not great btw and considering we’re missing 5 major players and and our goalkeeper having a lot of personal problems these days ( he used to be one of the best worldwide btw)i say we did a good job.As for the upcoming matches all i wish is to watch great football.Italy is THE World Champion and for a REASON.USA played 10 for most of the match and gave italy a very hard time.USA doesn’t have the italian skill or experience, but italians is no match to americans stamina and speed.good luck to all.Can’t decide who is better .spain taking it too serious could really win this championship, but brazil is never to be underestimated ever and the italians are always champions, as if it is in their blood to win trophies in football.May the best team win.
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