Sports

Corner Kicks Will Make Good Tie Breakers – Coelho

Published

6 years ago

July 2, 2018

A former FIFA World Cup final match referee, Arnaldo Coelho, says fair play as a tie-breaker at the tournament is not good.
The Brazilian thinks a corner kick count will be a better way of separating teams who finish level on points and goals.
Senegal became the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated on yellow cards after finishing level on points, goal difference and goals scored.
The African side picked up six yellow cards in their three games to Japan’s four, and they were eliminated at the end of Group H action on Thursday.
They had four points from a win, a draw and loss, just like Japan, at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Senegal had also scored four goals and conceded four, while both sides had drawn 2-2 during their meeting.
FIFA has however said it has no plans to change the rules.
Coelho, who also criticised the use of video assistant referees (VAR) in incidents such as handball, said tie-breakers should be decided by objective criteria.
“The problem is that a yellow card is subjective… and some referees tend to be stricter and give more yellow cards than others,” he said. “So, if a team plays in a match with a stricter referee, they will be at a disadvantage.
“For me there is another way… counting corner kicks. It’s a technical criteria and to win corner kicks you have to attack, you have to play football.”
Japan’s final match, a 1-0 defeat by Poland, ended in farce as they effectively stopped playing, thereby avoiding picking up bookings or red cards that would have jeopardised their second-place finish.
“They wouldn’t have done that if corner kicks had been used,” said Coelho, who ran commentaries for a Brazilian television station during the ongoing 2018 World Cup.
He said there was nothing match officials could do in such circumstances and added that he was speaking from experience.
The Brazilian was a linesman during the so-called “non-aggression” match between West Germany and Austria in 1982.
“I felt powerless,” he said, recalling Germany’s 1-0 win that sent the both teams through at the expense of Algeria after a soulless kick about.
Coelho, the first non-European to referee a World Cup final when he officiated at the Italy-West Germany match in 1982, said that VAR was a good idea in principle.
He however contended that its use should be restricted to objective decisions such as offside.
“In these cases, VAR is important to resolve problems, to help save the referee, it’s a parachute,” the former referee said.

Sports

… As Coach Expresses Optimism To Qualify For 2026 W’Cup

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

Newly appointed Super Eagles coach Finidi George has set his sights firmly on securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, demanding unwavering commitment from his top players as the team aims to get their faltering qualifying campaign back on track.
Unveiled to the media in Abuja on Monday, Finidi, who succeeded the outgoing Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, wasted no time in laying out his immediate priorities, two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin early next month.
“Nigeria comes first, that’s what I expect from every player I invite. You have to be playing in your club, and you must have the commitment,” Finidi told reporters on Monday.
Recognising the importance of a strong start, the former Ajax winger emphasised the significance of the upcoming clash against South Africa.
“The first targets are to qualify for the World Cup and AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations), and a win over South Africa will set the tone.”
Nigeria currently finds itself in third place in their qualifying group, with just two points from as many games, while South Africa sits second with three points.
Finidi, who has signed a year’s contract with an option for an additional year, acknowledged the immense pressure that comes with leading the national team of a country with over 200 million people.
However, he exuded confidence in his ability to withstand the scrutiny, stating, “I have a tough skin.”
While his salary remains undisclosed, the 53-year-old coach expressed a willingness to prioritise performance over immediate financial rewards.
“The salary is good enough for me, it’s not as much as that of (Jose) Peseiro.
“Money is good, but if you add value to what you do, the money will come. Then they can come and ask ‘Coach, how much do you want?” Finidi said.

Sports

I’m Not Under Pressure, I’ve Tough Skin – Finidi

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

New Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George, has underlined that the word pressure is not in his dictionary and appealed for support from key stakeholders including the media.
Speaking after his unveiling yesterday in Abuja, the former Enyimba of Aba coach said; “In life you cannot be afraid. As you see me here, I am a quiet person but I’m not afraid of anything. The worst you can get in football is not getting the result, the best you can get is winning all the time, and I will try my best to make sure that the team functions properly and we start winning games.”
On whether is under pressure to justify his appointment, the coach stressed; “Pressure, I don’t think I have it. I have that tough skin and I want to plead you guys, the media we need your support.
“What is in the contract is boldly written, what the NFF wants and Nigeria in general, but for me personally my first target is to make sure we are in line to qualify for the World Cup. AFCON qualifiers definitely will be coming up soon, but the major step for me is these two games that we have.
“If we can win against South Africa and Benin, we will set the tone.”
During the unveiling ceremony, the NFF confirmed that ex-Super Eagles striker; Daniel Amokachi and Abiden Baruwa will be the assistant coach and goalkeeper coach respectively.
The first assignment for Finidi, who won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995, is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Sports

Amusan Becomes World’s Fastest Woman, Sets New Track Record

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

Nigerian sprint icon Tobi Amusan has become the world’s fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles after running a world-leading 12.40 seconds.
In a thrilling race, the world record holder secured the victory, leaving behind Danielle Williams, the world champion, who clocked her best time of the season at 12.46 seconds. Following closely was American Christina Clemons, claiming the third spot with a time of 12.54 seconds.
This triumph means the Nigerian athlete has now claimed the top spot globally, surpassing American Tonea Marshall’s previous record of 12.42 seconds set in late April.
Tobi Amusan’s impressive win arrives just two months before the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.
John Enoh, the minister of sports development, on his X handle congratulated Amusan over the feat.
Take your flowers Tobi Amusan, you stormed to an emphatic win in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, clocking a time of 12.40s (0.9), a World Lead time!
You defeated World Champion Danielle Williams, who came 2nd in 12.46s, while Christina Clemons.
“Take your flowers Tobi Amusan, you stormed to an emphatic win in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, clocking a time of 12.40s (0.9), a World Lead time! You defeated World Champion Danielle Williams, who came 2nd in 12.46s, while Christina Clemons was 3rd in 12.54s,” he wrote.
“Tobi, you keep making our country proud. Paris Olympics is around the corner, your performance gives us hope just like others, that Nigeria is set to break a jinx. Keep soaring, we are proud of you.”