Last updated Tuesday, June 27, 2006; 13.39BST
No Argument
Re: your report (Mexico Ask Argentina: Where's The Beef? June 25, 2006). Argentina is in, Mexico is out. Simple as that.
Daniel Perez
USA, via email.
Poisonous Refereering
I do not know the ins and outs of soccer — I became interested when my daughter and her friends flew to Germany to watch the USA team play — but I do know that the refereeing at WC06 is atrocious. I do NOT think the Americans should have played Italy minus anybody. I do have eyes. And I think the Ghana player did not deserve the penalty kick that won that game.
Today, as my daughter flew home from Frankfurt, I saw the Germany v Sweden match. A Swede was ejected after getting two yellow cards. Poor choice again for that ref. He should have been reminded the player that he could get a SECOND yellow if he wasn't careful; but why kick him out? Embarrassing really. Maybe it is time for the instant replay seen during NFL games. Disgraceful refereeing has poisoned the 2006 games.
Ok, so the Americans did not play well, but don't deny the team and fans like my daughter the opportunity to watch a well-refereed game.
Rita Grant
USA, via email.
Seeking Justice
Korea is in deep grief because of the 2006 World cup. Where was the justice in the match with Switzerland? Anyone with eyes to see knows that the second goal shouldn't be counted because the offside flag was already up.
And the general standard of refereeing must be questioned in light of all the missed fouls including handballs which put the Koreans at a disadvantage. With decisions as bad as this the only fair thing would be to play the game again.
Koojisu
South Korea, via email
Perfect Color
Jim Frederick's story (Japan's Soccer Samurais Are Left Feeling Blue, June 14, 2006 ) captured the state of Japanese perception and the nations's characteristics. Her obliviousness to world history and even present event, wrapped up in media hype, was described in an easily understood way. Thanks.
Kengo Baba
via email
Dogged Defence
G'day Ed. Japan made a fatal error in their first world cup match against the Australians. They counted on their lucky Mascot 'Rommel' a dog, to be an extra weapon in their kit to take on the Aussies without researching history. Aussies were the first to stop the original Rommel in his tracks in Tobruk during WWII and he couldn't break them; thus the birth of the legendary Desert Rats of Tobruk. Maybe the Socceroos should get a big Rat for a mascot and call it Tobruk. Go the Aussies!
Mark Pascoe
Mackay, Queensland, Australia, via email
