Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report © Árbitro Internacional & The Third Team

3-3 Korea Republic

(IRQ) Iraq
5-4 PSO (KOR)
Quarterfinals, 07 July 2013, 17:00 CET - Kayseri (TUR)

Match Officials Name ORI Mark1 Mark2 Difficulty3

Referee Benjamin Williams AUS 8.2 --- Normal
Assistant Referee 1 Matthew Cream AUS 8.3 --- Normal
Assistant Referee 2 Hakan Anaz AUS 8.3 --- Normal
Fourth Official Bakary Papa Gassama GAM 8.3 --- Normal
Reserve Assistant Referee Angesom Ogbamarian ERI
Blog Referee Observer Nur H. ENG
1
Final mark according to evaluation scale.
2
Mark if the final mark had not been influenced by a crucial mistake (only in case of a crucial mistake, to be held empty if no crucial mistake occurred).
3
Difficulty has to be integrated into the final mark. Levels of difficulty are: “ normal” , “ challenging” and “ very challenging” .
4
Blog-Referee Observer =Inofficial referee observer appointed by the blog administrator.

Evaluation scale
(for referee, ARs and fourth Description of the Marks
official)
9.0 -10.0 Excellent.
8.5 - 8.9 Very good. Important decision(s) correctly taken.
8.3 - 8.4 Good. Expected level.
8.2 Satisfactory with small areas for improvement.
8.0 - 8.1 Satisfactory with important areas for improvement.
7.9 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.3 or above.
7.8 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.0 - 8.2.
7.5 - 7.7 Below expectation, poor control, significant point(s) for improvement.
Disappointing. Below expectation with one and clear important mistake or
7.0 - 7.4
a performance with two or more clear and important mistakes.
6.0 - 6.9 Unacceptable.

Small description of the match (extra-ordinary incidents etc.):

The Kadir Has Stadium, Kayseri was the setting with 5810 in attendance as Iraq took on Korea Republic for
a place in the semifinals. Although the stadium was not at full capacity, both sets of fans (especially the
Iraqi's) created a very pleasant atmosphere. This particular game was even for most parts, with neither nation
really taking the initiative.

Iraq took the lead three times in this game (21', 42' & 118'). However, to their credit, the Koreans pegged
them back each time (25', 50' & 120+2). Korea Republic's dramatic late equaliser meant penalties were
required. Iraq successfully dispatched five spot-kicks compared to the four converted by the Koreans. As a
result of this victory, Iraq will travel to Trabzon to face Uruguay for a place in the final. Whereas the Koreans
were left ruining missed opportunities, wondering what could've been as they exited.
 Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report © Árbitro Internacional & The Third Team

Referee
Crucial Decisions (refer to penalty kicks, sending-off situations etc.)

Minute and Description of the Scene / Assessment of the referees decision

Williams correctly awarded a penalty to Iraq as KOR #9 drags IRQ #3 to the ground. The
20' mandatory caution was also correctly administered by Williams who had a perfect
position of the infringement and showed no hesitation as he pointed to the spot.
Correctly denies Korea a penalty as KOR #20 quite theatrically falls to the ground.
91'
Williams was not easily deceived and correctly cautions the offender for simulation.

Basic Observations (refer to the general application of the LotG, highlight the referees tactical
approach, personality, match control, management of the teams and players, teamwork etc.).
Please deploy short but precise and detailed sentences!

Positive Points
Benjamin Williams seemed very friendly and often smiled as he communicated with both
1.
sets of players.
Always close to the action, without interfering as he showed excellent fitness and
2.
endurance for the duration of the 120 minutes.
The trio from Australia worked very well as a team. They diligently spotted infringements
3.
and portrayed good communication skills as they relayed information to each other.
Knowledge and application of the LoTG. He administered five cautions (20', 37', 42', 44'
4.
& 91') in mandatory situations.

Points for Improvement

1. It seemed to me that Williams took far too long in organising set-piece situations.
Williams for some reason allowed play to continue for a further two minutes after the 15
minutes of the second period of extra-time had elapsed without signalling it via the fourth
official. This resulted in Korea Republic equalising and sending the match to penalties.
The only situation in the second period of extra-time which justified adding on more time
was the fact that Iraq's goal celebrations took approximately one minute. However, there
2.
was no sign of Gassama in the technical area signalling for additional minutes to be
played.
Williams is also very fortunate that there were no protests nor inquiries from Iraq as they
were victorious in the penalty shoot-outs. It however stays a technical error.
 Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report © Árbitro Internacional & The Third Team

The referee’s character

+ Expected -
Fitness / Stamina X
Always close to play without inferfering with it X
Flexible diagonal movement X
Positioning at set pieces X
Efficient positioning, having a good angle of
X
vision to play
Close to the penalty area, if needed X

very very
Tactical Approach lenient medium strict
lenient strict
Description X

Yes So-so No
Consistency in the tactical approach / style X
The tactical approach suited to the require-ments
of the match / the match benefitted from the X
tactical approach of the referee
Ability to adapt the tactical approach if needed X

Further observations (peculiarities of the referee revealing his character)

As I mentioned above, Williams seemed very friendly with players and their were even
many instances where he was smiling when in conversation which is appreciated in a
match of this intensity.
 Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report © Árbitro Internacional & The Third Team

Assistant Referee 1

Please assess the first assistant referee’s performance.

Minute and Description of the Scene / Assessment of the AR's behaviour

Matthew Cream correctly allows Iraq's goal to stand and gets two decisions right in a
matter of seconds.
Firstly, the player who takes the swerving shot (IRQ #13) is clearly played onside by
42'
KOR #2. Correct decision.
Then, the player who follows up the shot and scores (IRQ #19) is level with the same
Korean defender. Correct decision.

Assistant Referee 2
Please assess the second assistant referee’s performance.

Minute and Description of the Scene / Assessment of the AR's behaviour

75' Hakan Anaz correctly flags IRQ #19 offside.
. 107' He again correctly flags IRQ #19 offside.

Fourth Official

Please assess the fourth official’s performance.

Minute and Description of the Scene / Assessment of the fourth officials behaviour
Full
Nothing extraordinary to report. Executed added time and substitutions accordingly.
Time