4 years later, I still think that wasn't a foul.

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No, I'm not aplz.

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Originally posted by razmataz YEah that was nasty, but you have to admit Tranceaddict has grown over the years God knows I had no idea something like trance music existed in 2000.

i'm not talking about TA, but about english fans in general, what about all those titles in english newspapers bashing the ref?

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sempre contra a corrente do jogo

The referee didn't even consult his linesman, it was a highly unprofessional and completely incorrect decision which has directly cost England a place in the semi-finals.

With regards to the game, England were poor, but Portugal weren't much better. For all their possession Portugal looked the same as they did in their previous three games, no inventiveness in the final third of the pitch and weak in defence. They looked menacing for much of the game but in reality rarely threatened the English goal, always restricted to speculative crosses, shots over the bar and cynical diving for free kicks.

For England this was the second game in four days. Portugal were beating us to loose balls and as the game wore on some of the English players looked exhausted. Although this game kicked off at 7.45 the heat was 25C and most English players are not used to playing in those conditions. Portugal looked fitter and fresher, but couldn't make it count.

Losing Rooney after half an hour was a crucial blow for England. Up until then the game had not settled down and England looked more likely to double their lead than go into half-time with a draw. After Rooney limped off with a broken bone in his foot, England looked far less potent up front and a bit of pressure was taken off the Portuguese, who felt more confident running at the English and happier to leave gaps at the back.

With Rooney throughout the game I'm confident England would have won this but even without him we should have put the game beyond doubt. It took England 3 minutes to get a goal, it took Portugal 80 minutes to equalise. It took England only 5 minutes to reply to that with what should have been the winning goal. In injury time Portugal thought they had got the winner after 20 minutes, but again it only took England 5 minutes to reply with a goal. This alone shows that when England weren't afraid to get numbers forward, we looked like scoring. Eriksson had no choice to take off Scholes, Gerrard should have come off sooner, his substitutions didn't satisfy me. Hargreaves wasn't bad, Neville didn't get into the game. Dyer was exactly what England needed in that second half, he is one of the fittest players I've ever seen, he has amazing pace and runs all day and he would have given the Portuguese players a very tiring night as well as giving England a better outlet when clearing the ball from defence and he isn't afraid to run at defenders. You have to wonder why Eriksson brought Dyer and J.Cole to the tournament.

Whilst England played poorly, you have to admire their spirit. Portugal equalised on the 83rd minute which was a heartbreaking blow to England and their fans after defending their lead for nearly the whole game. But the players picked themselves up straight away and went at the Portuguese, and they were rewarded with a winning goal in the last minute for their determination, only for the referee to disallow it. Feeling cheated by the referee, England were now more tired than their opponents and faced the prospect of extra time, what would eventually by 2 hours of football in that heat. But they got on with the task and when Portugal scored with 10 minutes left it seemed like the end. But once again they lifted themselves to get the equaliser. To then lose on penalties felt so demoralising and unjust.

Why is it some people suggest John Terry "challenged" the keeper. John Terry stayed put, jumped into his own airspace and the keeper comes across his box to challenge for a ball he is always third favourite for. Unsurprisingly by the time he gets there Campbell has it in the back of the net. There is no question that this was a legitimate goal.

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Originally posted by evil_bastard Why is it some people suggest John Terry "challenged" the keeper. John Terry stayed put, jumped into his own airspace and the keeper comes across his box to challenge for a ball he is always third favourite for. Unsurprisingly by the time he gets there Campbell has it in the back of the net. There is no question that this was a legitimate goal.

It's all irrelevant anyway, becasue terry was offside when owen headed the ball and then he directly interfered with play. so if the goal stood then portugal would have been hard done by.

Owen's header was a shot against the bar.

Terry never interfered with play.

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Originally posted by evil_bastard Owen's header was a shot against the bar.

yes and john terry was offside when he headered it. Then he ran in towards goal and directly interfered with the play.

I've just watched it again and John Terry is running alongside a defender at the far post as the cross swings in. When Owen heads (which is a shot not an assist anyway) Terry is still being played onside by the man at the far post. Terry never interferes with anyone, he and Campbell are virtually on the line anyway as the ball hits the bar, and it rebounds to them. They jump into their own airspace and don't impede anybody. Nothing wrong with it at all.

You can watch it here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/england/default.stm#

The linesman gave it as a goal but the referee overruled him despite an awful view of the event himself. The ref didn't even consult his linesman on the matter, and allowed Portugal to take a free-kick while England players were off the pitch celebrating. All thoroughly unprofessional.

Last edited by evil_bastard on Jun-26-2004 at 14:17

about he being 'unprofessional', you do know refs ocasionally make unintentional mistakes?

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sempre contra a corrente do jogo

Terry is offside when owen heads it. I can't believe you can't see that, it's soo obvious.

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Originally posted by paranoik0 about he being 'unprofessional', you do know refs ocasionally make unintentional mistakes?

The referee has come out and said he would give the same decision again, despite the video footage. Sorry but I've lost any respect for him.