Don't get me wrong, I think Brazil is a better team than Croatia. Furthermore, I think a Cup with Brazil doing well is always a good thing and, I had them winning the match in my brackets.
However, I really hate that matches can be decided so often by blown calls and dives. I have been playing and watching soccer since the early 60's, so I think I would qualify as an 'old timer'. This, nonetheless, does not make me blind to the obvious deficiencies of soccer today vis a vis other major sports. It is time to advance faster in the rule book of soccer: Diving that leads to penalty calls (I mean the free kick inside the box) and/or to yellow or red cards HAVE to be reviewed by instant replay. They are way too important to allow for "human error".
Casual observers of the game may comment that with a final score of 3-1 the penalty gift to Brazil was insignificant. That comment barely deserves a reply. The entire tactical positioning of Croatia changed as a result of that call and they had to become more vulnerable. A situation which Oscar was able to take advantage of.
While many of us may be proud of the fact that the "rest of the world" loves soccer as it is (meaning non-US), I think we have something to learn from the way US sports have progressed. There are three major criticisms of soccer, that I am aware of: 1- low scoring; 2- blown calls; 3- diving. Having played the game my entire life I pay no attention to the first of these criticisms. After all, anyone that has tried to hit a fastball at 110 mph or a golf ball next to the hole from 150 yards can appreciate the skill and beauty of those that can do it well and consistently. It is not boring, it is art. There is as much beauty in a well played 0 -0 game as there is in a perfect game for a pitcher. On the other hand, I think that bad calls that completely alter the game and diving are things that can be changed by FIFA. You cannot stop the flow of a soccer game and review everything. However, you certainly can have a review of cards and penalty kicks. FIFA finally instituted the goal line camera, so that is progress. Now, how about reviewing penalty shots? all of us that watched the game knew withing 30 seconds that Fred dove to get the call. Why can't that be transmitted to the ref? Furthermore, why shouldn't Fred be penalized with one game suspension for diving?
Again, don't get me wrong. I love Brazilian soccer and I am happy they won. Just not that way.
Mario
