Despite conceding a goal in the first half-time, Lebanon had a great second half against against the Kuwaiti team and could have won the game but only managed to score the equalizing goal. A draw places us behind Kuwait in the rankings but we still have a chance to qualify to the Asian Cup if we win the next game.
As far as refereeing is concerned, I still can’t believe the Kuwaiti player got away with a yellow card after his flagrant handball. What the hell was the referee thinking?
I wasn’t able to find a Youtube video showing what he did but it was a deliberate handball and deserved a red. It’s called as per the Laws of the Game shown below “A deliberate handling offense to deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by any player other than a goalkeeper in his own penalty area”
Law 12 of the Laws of the Game lists the categories of misconduct for which a player may be sent off. These are:
– Serious foul play (a violent foul)
– Violent conduct (any other act of violence) e.g. assaulting the referee.
– Spitting at anyone or another player
– A deliberate handling offense to deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by any player other than a goalkeeper in his own penalty area
– Committing an offense that denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (informally known as a professional foul)
– Using offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures
– Receiving a second caution (yellow card) in the same game [Wiki]