FOOOOSH!!!

Flame time!

Ahh, back to the good old days when Tilam and Thew disagreed!

After seeing it live and on several replays, I have to go with the concensus at soccerblog.com and say it was a total idiot call. Regardless of whether Neill should or should not have slid (I cannot count the number of goals or crosses I blocked because of a slide), the truth of the matter (IMHO) is that there was little contact during the slide itself. The italian player tried to run over Neill, INITIATED contact himself more than Neill, then performed is Emmy award winning dive. It's a crappy way to determine a game, especially since it was handed to the Italians. Not with less than 30 seconds to go. Make them earn it.

Also, I will agree with the fact that a referee should never look at the watch to determine a call. But the REAL WORLD is that they should, and do. In ever sport. To have played such a game then with less than 30 seconds left in stoppage time call a PK is a shitty way to determine the outcome of a game.

I wonder, does this show that "favorites" are being given some leeway or benefits to ensure that certain teams make it deep into the tournament. I certainly can see that "non-favorites" are getting royally screwed (i.e, US)...