AFC CUP KNOCK-OUT ROUND The writer (Gasper Crasto - extreme right) with Churchill Bros team just before the match Was the referee favoring the home team?
Gasper Crasto / Kuwait. May 13, 2010
"Referees decision on points of fact connected with the play shall be final!" says Law 5 of the Soccer Rules.
The rule proved a matrix of judgment at Qadsiya Stadium on 12th May 2010. Churchill Brothers played their hearts out, but could not get the equalizer, falling 2-1 to Qadsiya in the AFC Cup knockout round played at Qadsiya stadium, Kuwait.
The Kuwaitis displayed their passing demonstration with some trademark ball control and took the lead from a cross and increased it with a classic header off a set piece from the right wing.
Qadsiya led 2-0 at half time with goals scored through headers by Ahmed in 33rd minute and Hamed in the 42nd.
Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Arindam (under astute guidance of goalkeeping coach Teotonio, former Bombay Central Bank goalkeeper from Navelim) was a hero in the game saving the team from sure goals atleast on five occasions while Kalu and Felix proved why they are the most sought after players in the Indian arena. The Nigerians ran tirelessly throughout and matched the Kuwaitis from muscle to shin. Nascimento too was super while little substitute Jason created ripples in the last quarter of play.
After cutting the deficit to one off a 'splendid' goal by captain Odafa, the Goans pressed hard to equalize in the last quarter but Qadsiya defended like Inter Milan against Barcelona – with almost their entire team.
Churchill really played well. The collective effort was pretty solid. It was nice to see them push especially towards the end. Infact the whole match, they had the ability to move the ball forward, get players running off it, creating some opportunities.
But, if there is one thing that Goans love as much as football, it's talking about it afterwards. Much post-match discussion among friends is about the referee's decisions. It always makes for lively debates.
After falling behind 2-0 in the 40th minute, Churchill Brothers had scored a hard earned goal just before the breather off a header by Odafa. The assistant referee pointed for the goal, with the whole Goan army of supporters including Churchill Brothers players celebrating. But only the referee had seen 'foul' which the majority of spectators (mostly Goans, perhaps far more than the Kuwaitis) did not. 
"Herald says: the referee surprisingly ruled it as off side, and denied the goal."
First, it can never be a off-side as interpreted by media and television. It was a foul. Odafa allegedly pushed the defender before heading.
How could it happen? How can the referee give a foul.
Well, referees are aware that their decisions are scrutinized in post match video reviews and evaluations by the Referees panel and Technical committee. Any inevitable blunder or a conspiracy on their part would mean that their last match would be the 'final' match of their life at this level.
The decision however sure raised a question and the debate about the need for video replays, like in cricket, will not go away. The governing bodies wish it would, but with every incorrect call, the clamor grows stronger. Video replays can currently be used only to issue charges against players and referees but only once a match has finished. It is a debate that divides opinion, but football worldwide is against its use during games. How nice it would be if it had been used at the Churchill Brothers – Qadsiya match. Everyone would be at peace, the poor referee would not be crucified.
For years the game has been built around respect for the referee and a general understanding that his decision is final. But if the referee makes a mistake often in a match, there is a significant chance that respect among the players for the referee would decrease, leading to other problems such as dissent towards the official which is understood of Odafa receiving a yellow during the interval break.
For lovers of football who thronged Qadsiya to support the Goan team, a victory for Churchill Brothers in Kuwait would mean bigger than Churchill going to win the AFC Cup. Not because it was Churchill Brothers. Not because it was a Indian team. Because it was a Goan team. Every Goan in the crowd wished to see Goa win. A victory for Goa is a victory for India ofcourse.
Whatever may be the post-match outbursts by Shri Churchill Alemao against the Bahraini referees, whatever Jovito Lopes had to write in Herald about 'biased refereeing', it will hold no water with the powerful A.F.C. And for sure it can't reach even the lowest rung of FIFA (The guys are too busy with the World Cup right now).
We must all agree sportingly that the best team won, and be happy for a great footballing display by Churchill Brothers. The 2-1 loss, however, will be rumbling on for seasons to come.
Three Cheers Churchill Brothers!!!
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"It is rare that the public sentiment decides immorally or unwisely, and the individual who differs from it ought to distrust and examine well his own opinion."