Copa
America Semi Final
Today morning I watched the
Copa America Semi Final between Chile and Peru. It was a fast paced encounter
with Chile having a slight upper hand. It was a thrilling, pulsating and electrifying
match worth watching foregoing little sleep. On several occasions match turned
rough and Referee had a tough time to control the match. Football refereeing is
a tough job compared to cricket umpiring. Of all the teams participated in the
Copa America, Columbia was the roughest team. All the members of Columbian team
barring James Rodriquez played rough game. If there is a best fouler
award, definitely a Columbian will win it.
Vargas made it 1-0 for Chile
before half time, which was neutralized by a self goal by a Chile defender. I
was worried whether the better team will bow out of the competition in the
penalty shootout. Fortunately Vargas scored one more goal in the second half
making it 2-1. It was a rasping long range shot which gave no chance to the
diving Peru goal keeper. Goalkeepers of both sides gave a splendid display
under the bar.
The coaches and managers were
wearing heavy jackets, even multiple jackets which give an idea of the cold
climate. Despite that players wearing only a T shirt were sweating profusely. The
amount of energy loss in 90 Minutes soccer may be more than one day cricket. Whether
any method is there to measure the energy consumption (Not Electricity) is not
clear. When a player is substituted, the distance covered by that player is
indicated. I remember in a world cup match, Arjen Robben of Holland ran 17 KM
in 80 minutes. How much the Referee and linesmen had to run is not given,
perhaps because they are not substituted.
Tomorrow the 4 time world
footballer of the year Lionel Messi will be in action for Argentina against Paraguay
in the other semi final. Another pulsating match in the offing.
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