As you know, Manchester United and Chelsea squared off in the Champions League final this past Wednesday. Rather than bore you with a recap of the game which you can get anywhere let’s explore Christiano Ronaldo’s shoot-out kick.
Technically, according to the laws that govern soccer, goalies can’t come forward off their lines during a shoot out. They can move side to side but can’t come forward to cut off the angle. In reality, several keepers do this all the time. In the 2005 edition of Champions League final, AC Milan fans will recall that Liverpool’s Jerzy Dudek clearly moved forward off his line thus enabling him to make key saves. The ref could have ordered a retake but chose not to.
I found it interesting that no one spoke of this during and after the game.
Similarly, as I was told repeatedly by FIFA sanctioned referees over the years, kickers must not come to a full stop during a spot kick. The famous stutter kick when used to its perfection is meant to slow down time just enough so that you mentally destabilize the goalie. However, the way Ronaldo approached it was excessive if not ridiculous. He came to a full stop, thus ending his momentum and then unsurprisingly unleashed an inaccurate shot that was easily stopped.
When you go against a goalie of Edwin Van der Saar’s quality and height the best thing to do, I would assert, is to attack the ball with purpose.
Again, no comment was forthcoming by the commentators.
Soccer talks of fair play and all that but are these examples of fair play? If the rules are clearly stipulated then why is it left to the discretion of the referee to decide what is a proper fluid kick or appropriate save?
I’m not sure if the “it’s all in the interpretations” line of thinking applies here. Sometimes things are black and white and in penalty shoot out there is no room for grey matter. Call it within the boundaries of the rules and fair play shall be given to all.