38 CIVSCG Rodríguez

Being already eliminated and facing torrential downpours in München did not hinder Côte d’Ivoire and Serbia & Montenegro from producing one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament. The African side - who had impressed despite defeats in their first two matches - celebrated a well-deserved first victory at the World Cup, coming back from trailing 0-2 after twenty minutes to win 3-2. Serbia & Montenegro completed a disappointing tournament with yet another loss. As a historic side note: When Mexican referee Marco Antonio Rodríguez whistled for full-time, Serbia & Montenegro became history. Montenegro had formally declared independence on June 3 after a referendum, but since the joint team had qualified, it did compete as Serbia & Montenegro.

Enough of history and politics and back to football and refereeing – the match had that to offer in spades. With both teams battling for a win, Rodríguez faced a competitive match that was very challenging, especially in the first half. On the whole, the Mexican displayed good fitness and alertness and was generally solid when it came to foul detection, disciplinary measures and control. His gestures felt a bit much at times and while he was strict when whistling for fouls in aerial duels, he did not take much action against these infringements. Apart from that, a high number of key match incidents need to be assessed.

35’ – Penalty for CIV for handball and YC for SPA for SCG #15

The first of these was perhaps the clearest and easiest decision. Trying to prevent a cross from reaching the head of Arouna Koné, Milan Dudić clearly raised his arm over his head and intercepted the ball. Rodríguez immediately whistled a penalty and booked the player for SPA. Ordering the penalty to be retaken after the first succesful execution for encroachment was correct as well.

41’ – YC for CIV #17 for SPA

In minute 41’, Rodríguez again opted for a YC for Domoraud who had brought down Đorđević just outside the penalty area. I agree with all three components of the decision: foul by Domoraud (shoving), outside the penalty box (just) and YC for SPA and not RC for DOGSO (the SCG player was running wide).

43’ – YC for CIV #15 for Simulation

Certainly the most difficult decision after Dindane went down under a challenge from SCG goalkeeper Jevrić inside the penalty box. There are arguments for all three possible options (play on, penalty, simulation). It seems Dindane slipped just before Jevrić came sliding in and touched his legs. While I would prefer a penalty – there was a clear contact after all – one can understand why Rodríguez adjudged that Dindane had gone down prematurely. The YC is the logical consequence, despite it appearing that Dindane merely slipped on the rain-soaked pitch. Maybe a wrong decision, but not a crucial mistake for me.

45+1’ – SYC for SCG #17 for Reckless

Nađ, coming on early as a substitute for an injured Krstajić, had already been booked for a needless DtR offence. This tackle after the attack had already lost its speed and threat was needless, reckless and Rodríguez was fully correct in sending him off. The Mexican needed a bit of time to produce the cards and while doing so did appear lost briefly. Correct decision, but his presentation was not convincing and could lead to trouble under different circumstances.

84’ – Penalty for CIV for handball

It is hard to judge such a scene 14 years later where punishable handballs are being assessed much stricter and way more often. It appears that Dudić does move his arm towards the ball and while the body enlargement isn’t great, that makes it still a punishable offence. Therefore, a very good decision by Rodríguez, well spotted! Nowadays, Dudić would have been sent off with a SYC for blocking a shot on goal, but not in 2006.

90+2’ – SYC for CIV #17 for Reckless

A good initial advantage followed by a correct SYC for the late and reckless foul. However, it does not make the best impression that Rodríguez only handed out the yellow card and Domoraud walked off by himself, remembering well that he had been booked already. The referee needed a bit longer to consult his notes and issue the red card as well. Maybe Domoraud even saved Rodríguez from the fate that his English compatriot Poll was to meet several days later.

Overall, Marco Antonio Rodríguez convinced in a very challening match with general good refereeing, solid disciplinary choices and the correct or at least supportable assesment of a large number of key match incidents. The Mexican did not have the best start into the tournament and FIFA did prefer his less controversial colleague Archundia. But Rodríguez’s time would come in 2010 and 2014. Here, he showed a good performance with some points for improvement, but should be commended for how well he handled the highly challenging game.

ARs José Luis Camargo and Leonel Leal both had a challenging game as well. Leal made a rather big mistake in 48' by raising his flag against Arouna Koné, but gave good onsides for both SCG goals (10’, 20’) and made another mistake in (52’). Camargo had a very crucial onside decision in 43’, was mistaken in a tight situation in 73’ and had a good onside call in 77’.

Marco Antonio Rodríguez - 8,4 José Luis Camargo - 8,4 Leonel Leal - 8,2 Mohamed Guezzaz Brahim Djezzar MEX, MEX, CRC - MOR, ALG	Côte d'Ivoire 3-2 Serbia & Montenegro Group Stage
Keïta (33') - SPA (Tackle) Domoraud (41') - SPA (Shoving) Dindane (43') - Simulation	Nađ (17') - Delaying the Restart Dudić (35') - SPA (Handball) Duljaj (37') - SPA (Holding) Gavrančić (57') - SPA (Tackle)
Domoraud (90+2') - Reckless play	Nađ (45+1') - Reckless sliding tackle