My biggest gripe isn't the slow mo / micrometer level detail reviews, but more on what is actually reviewed and what isn't when it comes to tackles in the box and dangerous fouls in normal play. Just seems like there is no consistency

mathguy86 said:

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Yeah. To be clear, it's not harsh because it's close. And an AR isn't ignoring it because it's close. I think it's impossible to catch in live action. If you catch it you have to call it. VAR is doing something here that soccer doesn't expect.

That's my biggest gripe about VAR. Calls are being made with micrometers and slo mo replay with cameras and several hundred or more frames per second. That's not real life.

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I agree totally with this. The Cameroon goal, without that VAR red line, would never have been thought of as offside before VAR.

jeffk said:

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100% agree - the way VAR is being utilized in the WWC is making the sport more like American football with first downs and dragging toes inbounds and targeting and all that other small, incremental, measured decisions. And soccer has never been that kind of sport. It's more free-flowing and rewarding of creativity and use of space. All of these VAR-assisted calls are technically correct, but they feel *wrong* in the context of the sport.

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Hit the nail on the head.

We all know there would ups and downs with VAR. Given FIFA updated the rule that yellow given to keepers coming off their line during a PK (sorry mathguy, KFTPM ) shows they are aware that unforeseeable issues will arise and they are willing to adjust quickly. That being said, the fact that FIFA seems to be testing out some of the interpretations during a World Cup seems slightly unfair to the players and fans.

But they aren't testing in in the WWC. Most leagues have implemented it, going back about 2 -3 years. The first real visible implementation was WC2018. And there is was basically not used for 2 reasons. First, the men ARs are really good and they just didn't miss calls like this. Second, they ignored using it for most everything else. There were maybe 3 uses of it that were visible. But its being used in leagues everywhere. Watch MLS. The timing of the WWC and the new Law changes is just bad timing but it happens every WC and every EURO and every COPA.

I think the biggest issues with it in WWC2019 are that almost no women referees have used it, no ARs have and the VARs are basically 4 guys like Danny Makellie who are almost full time VARs. So those guys are doing what they are trained to do and the on field crews have no real training.

Its going to be nuts starting in August when the EPL starts using it. Wait until someone gets taken down in the area on a free kick, which happens on every play in the EPL. Who actually calls that? Mike Dean, for about 2 weeks, and then he gives up. Otherwise, no one. Everyone complains about the takedowns but its never called. Do we expect VAR to call i or are the takedowns going to get cleaned up? And what about the crazy vicious tackles we see in the EPL that get called yellow that are red cards in every other league? Fortunately Marcus Rojo isn't with ManU any more.

Hand Of God said:

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5 European teams have now reached the QF. USA the other. Netherlands and Italy have a chance to make it 7/8 if they win tomorrow.

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Italy joins the party.

Japan Netherlands should be a really good match. I've been looking forward to this.

Japan always has great uniforms.

Japan with a lovely little equalizer. They always craft such wonderful team goals.

That's the only way japan will beat Holland, small touches and having numbers up front because holland is way too physical for Japan, japan needs to tire the Dutch by passing the ball more and making them chase the ball....

High quality soccer on display in this one. Impressed with both of these teams.

Agreed. Love how well Japan handles the ball.

Japan under some serious pressure right now.

Japan just called for their first offside in the entire tournament.

as i say that, they make a heck of a counter attack.

Japan off the crossbar!

Japan off the top bar!!!

great save by the dutch keeper.

Japan has unlocked the dutch defense.

So many chances. Japan really should have the lead by now.

Hand Of God said:

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So many chances. Japan really should have the lead by now.

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Feels like they're gonna get one, momentum has definitely shifted.

Noooooo! Penalty for Netherlands. Gutted for Japan who looked to deserve the win.

PK Netherlands!

Wow! Right call though.

Damn hope we see a save here. Hate to see such a great game end like this.

Right call, though.

Hand Of God said:

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Noooooo! Penalty for Netherlands. Gutted for Japan who looked to deserve the win.

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timely subs by the Dutch manager. they needed the breather and the stop in run of play. like a coach in basketball calling a timeout to stop the bleeding.

Japan wasted so many great chances and pays the price.

Well taken. Come on, Japan. Get a late equalizer and let's keep this thing going!

Mertens is...wow

Okay we've got five minutes.

Japan still creating dangerous chances to the death.

Great corner. Great block by the Dutch.

That felt like a potential dangerous play call against the Dutch in the box.

Sucks for Japan. They played a great match and there's not much the defender can do in that situation to avoid handling the ball.

Great game. Unfortunate way for it to end.