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Why the fourth substitute idea favours the bigger countries and clubs Why the fourth substitute idea favours the bigger countries and clubs
(about 2 hours later)
Exhausted players dropping to the floor and grabbing at their toes has been a recurring theme so far in the World Cup knockout stages. Five of the eight matches in the last 16 went to extra time. Lactic acid bubbled beneath the surface in exhausted calf muscles, hamstrings and thighs. Rivals’ toes were bent back by sympathetic opponents who understood just how agonising the searing pain of cramp and its ability to debilitate athletic capabilities can be.Exhausted players dropping to the floor and grabbing at their toes has been a recurring theme so far in the World Cup knockout stages. Five of the eight matches in the last 16 went to extra time. Lactic acid bubbled beneath the surface in exhausted calf muscles, hamstrings and thighs. Rivals’ toes were bent back by sympathetic opponents who understood just how agonising the searing pain of cramp and its ability to debilitate athletic capabilities can be.
Gérard Houllier, in his position as a member of Fifa’s technical study group (TSG), has witnessed all this in searing heat at grounds around Brazil. He has also seen the positive impact of substitutes at the World Cup, who have scored 29 goals from the bench and swung the pendulum in games that have been finely balanced. The Everton striker Romelu Lukaku – introduced after 90 minutes – did just that for Belgium against the United States, creating the first goal in extra time and scoring what would be the decider in the 2-1 victory that sealed a quarter-final place. Gérard Houllier, in his position as a member of Fifa’s technical study group (TSG), has witnessed all this in searing heat at grounds around Brazil. He has also seen the positive impact of substitutes at the World Cup, who have scored 29 goals from the bench and swung the pendulum in games that have been finely balanced. The striker Romelu Lukaku – introduced after 90 minutes – did just that for Belgium against the United States, creating the first goal in extra time and scoring what would be the decider in the 2-1 victory that sealed a quarter-final place.
“Substitutes play such an important part because they come with a freshness and attitude,” Houllier said. “Nearly a quarter of the goals have been scored in the final 15 minutes of the game.”“Substitutes play such an important part because they come with a freshness and attitude,” Houllier said. “Nearly a quarter of the goals have been scored in the final 15 minutes of the game.”
It is true, this most entertaining of tournaments has benefited from fresh legs in the latter stages that have been able to do what weary limbs could not. So it is no surprise that the former France and Liverpool manager will recommend to Fifa that a fourth substitute be allowed in extra time at future tournaments. “I think it would be a good idea and I think the TSG will put it back to the [Fifa] board,” said Houllier.It is true, this most entertaining of tournaments has benefited from fresh legs in the latter stages that have been able to do what weary limbs could not. So it is no surprise that the former France and Liverpool manager will recommend to Fifa that a fourth substitute be allowed in extra time at future tournaments. “I think it would be a good idea and I think the TSG will put it back to the [Fifa] board,” said Houllier.
On the face of it, you would think it is a progressive proposal that will benefit the spectacle. It would add to the possibility of witnessing more goals, it could prevent a dog-tired player from suffering injury and it would give managers a chance to have a positive influence on the game in the first 90 minutes by not holding back a third substitute for the added 30 minutes. Houllier said: “Only in extra time. Maybe if someone is injured, why not?”On the face of it, you would think it is a progressive proposal that will benefit the spectacle. It would add to the possibility of witnessing more goals, it could prevent a dog-tired player from suffering injury and it would give managers a chance to have a positive influence on the game in the first 90 minutes by not holding back a third substitute for the added 30 minutes. Houllier said: “Only in extra time. Maybe if someone is injured, why not?”
In answer to his question, would it not give the countries with stronger squads an added advantage? One of the great features of this tournament has been the ability of nations with a shallower squad-depth to bridge the talent gap with physicality, determination and teamwork. Australia ran Chile and Holland close with an indefatigable spirit. The USA’s band-of-brothers approach to taking on more talented teams has been one of the high points in Brazil, with players running themselves into the scorched turf to compete.In answer to his question, would it not give the countries with stronger squads an added advantage? One of the great features of this tournament has been the ability of nations with a shallower squad-depth to bridge the talent gap with physicality, determination and teamwork. Australia ran Chile and Holland close with an indefatigable spirit. The USA’s band-of-brothers approach to taking on more talented teams has been one of the high points in Brazil, with players running themselves into the scorched turf to compete.
You could argue that if the underdogs have already shown they can compete with what they have at their disposal under the current rules, then why wouldn’t they do so with an added substitute? When Algeria went close to an upset against Germany, Joachim Löw used three substitutes and still had a collection of players from elite leagues looking on from the bench. Vahid Halilhodzic, the Algeria manager, had already played his best cards.You could argue that if the underdogs have already shown they can compete with what they have at their disposal under the current rules, then why wouldn’t they do so with an added substitute? When Algeria went close to an upset against Germany, Joachim Löw used three substitutes and still had a collection of players from elite leagues looking on from the bench. Vahid Halilhodzic, the Algeria manager, had already played his best cards.
When talented players are stricken by cramp, football in extra time becomes something else. An enthralling battle of resolve. When the mind has to overcome the body’s incessant protestations. It is a challenge that gets to the essence of sport, where sheer will matters more than ever. It is when the little guy has the chance to topple the giant who, and let’s be honest here, probably deserves to be brought down a peg or two for not getting the job done in 90 minutes.When talented players are stricken by cramp, football in extra time becomes something else. An enthralling battle of resolve. When the mind has to overcome the body’s incessant protestations. It is a challenge that gets to the essence of sport, where sheer will matters more than ever. It is when the little guy has the chance to topple the giant who, and let’s be honest here, probably deserves to be brought down a peg or two for not getting the job done in 90 minutes.
Then there are penalties. When watching as a neutral, do you ever want a game to be won on anything other than penalties? And this is often an underdog’s greatest chance of glory.Then there are penalties. When watching as a neutral, do you ever want a game to be won on anything other than penalties? And this is often an underdog’s greatest chance of glory.
If an FA Cup third-round replay between a Premier League team and a Conference side went to extra time, who would benefit most from a fourth substitute then? International teams cannot buy players in the same way as clubs but there are still obvious nations who are never short of talent. When these nations flounder against the lesser lights, it can be all the more entertaining.If an FA Cup third-round replay between a Premier League team and a Conference side went to extra time, who would benefit most from a fourth substitute then? International teams cannot buy players in the same way as clubs but there are still obvious nations who are never short of talent. When these nations flounder against the lesser lights, it can be all the more entertaining.
The fact that the eight group-stage winners – and let us discount Costa Rica’s heroics here for a moment – have made it into the quarter-finals is evidence that the stronger squads do, generally, come good. So why give them any further advantage?The fact that the eight group-stage winners – and let us discount Costa Rica’s heroics here for a moment – have made it into the quarter-finals is evidence that the stronger squads do, generally, come good. So why give them any further advantage?