FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina said on Friday (Jun 29) he was "pleased" with the impact of the video assistant referee (VAR) system during the group stage of the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo escaped with a yellow card for an elbow offence that was reviewed by VAR. (Photo: AFP/Mladen Antonov) After experiments in different FIFA tournaments, Serie A in Italy and the German Bundesliga this season, VAR has made its World Cup debut in Russia. "We are pleased. We are not surprised things went pretty well so far generally speaking," said Collina, who refereed the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany. The Italian revealed that VAR crews conducted checks on 335 incidents across the 48 group-stage matches, an average of almost seven per game. VAR can be used in four scenarios - after a goal has been scored, for penalty decisions, red card decisions or for a case of mistaken identity of a player who has been booked or sent off. Collina said with the help … [Read more...] about VAR checked 335 incidents in World Cup group stage: FIFA
Group stage
A combined starting 11 of the best players from the group stage
A combined starting 11 of the best players from the group stageThe Saigon Times Daily Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo has a penalty saved by Iran's Alireza Beiranvand at Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia June 25, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS ROSTOV-ON-DON (REUTERS) - After an entertaining World Cup group stage crammed with late deciding goals and a host of unexpected results, not least holders Germany crashing out, Reuters Sports picks a combined starting 11 of the best performing players so far. Cho Hyun-woo (South Korea) The goalkeeper made a jaw-dropping save in all three of his games, the pick of which was to deny Leon Goretzka’s point-blank header in Korea’s famous 2-0 win over Germany, for which he was deservedly named man of the match. Kieran Trippier (England) The full back was given greater room to roam by manager Gareth Southgate and his pace and crossing ability caused Panama and Tunisia constant headaches in England’s first two wins. Diego Godin … [Read more...] about A combined starting 11 of the best players from the group stage
After a great group stage, the merciless knockout awaits
After a great group stage, the merciless knockout awaitsThe Saigon Times Daily Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Nigeria's Brian Idowu – PHOTO: REUTERS ST PETERSBURG (REUTERS) - Entertainment, upsets, personalities, controversy and goals — the World Cup has had it all — and the knockout stage drama hasn’t even begun. The group stage of the tournament can risk being a simple process of eliminating the weaker nations and serving as a mere warm-up for the favourites. But with holders Germany already back on home soil after their shock exit and Lionel Messi and Argentina just minutes away from joining them, the opening phase has been anything but a formality. The 48 games have produced 122 goals, an average of 2.5 goals per match, just below the level for the 2014 tournament as a whole, with just one goalless draw - the tepid final Group C match between France and Denmark. Amongst those goals there have been some moments of breathtaking brilliance. … [Read more...] about After a great group stage, the merciless knockout awaits
Champions Germany crash out of World Cup at group stage
Champions Germany crash out of World Cup at group stageThe Saigon Times Daily South Korea's Kim Young-gwon celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates as Germany's Mesut Ozil looks dejected at Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia June 27, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS KAZAN (REUTERS) - Champions Germany were sent crashing out of the World Cup after suffering a stunning 2-0 defeat by a tenacious South Korea on Wednesday that saw them eliminated in the first round for the first time in 80 years. Germany would have progressed with a win at the Kazan Arena but barely looked capable of scoring against the Koreans, let alone going on to successfully defend the title they won in Brazil four years ago. Stoppage-time goals from Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min finished off Joachim Loew's sorry Germany side, who finished bottom of the group on three points. They have won four World Cup titles and also finished runners-up four times and entered this year's tournament heavily backed to retain … [Read more...] about Champions Germany crash out of World Cup at group stage
World Cup group stage: 5 potential highlights
The World Cup group stage will see 48 games crammed into two weeks. AFP Sport picks out the moments to look out for in Russia: Spain forward Diego Costa (right) and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo. (File photos: AFP) OPENING MATCH How can anyone miss the opening game at the World Cup? It sets the tone for a month-long festival of football, even if in this case it brings together the two lowest-ranked teams in the competition. Will Stanislav Cherchesov's Russia side do the host nation proud at the World Cup? (Photo: AFP/Alexander Nemenov) Hosts Russia will walk out onto the pitch at the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium ranked a lowly 70th in the world, three spots below Group A rivals Saudi Arabia, and without a victory in eight months. However, Russia has spent more than US$13 billion on preparations for the big event, and President Vladimir Putin will be eager for the hosts to get off to the best possible start. In contrast, a defeat against minnows Saudi Arabia … [Read more...] about World Cup group stage: 5 potential highlights