FIFA is holding the World Cup for teams with players under the age of 20 in Turkey.
They are wrapping up the quarterfinal phase at this time with a result that I can only say is highly-suspicious. (Which, given the recent investigations into Turkish football, should be a surprise to, summarily, NOBODY.)
The darlings of the tournament are (and this would not be entirely surprising to American soccer fans) Ghana.
The source on all this is a Deadspin report on today's quarterfinal match with Chile.
In the preceding round, Ghana needed two quick goals to oust Portugal, 3-2.
Their match with Chile went into extra time, 2-2.
This is where the video provided with the Deadspin post picks up, with a Chilean goal in the extra session to bring it to 3-2.
Soccer, however, has reverted (for, largely, stadium security reasons) to the classic extra-time format of playing the entire 30 minutes. It had, for several years, gone to "Golden Goal" (sudden-death) formats, or a small modification.
Ghana squares the match at 3-3 seven minutes from penalties on a good goal. (Approximately :36 of the video clip.)
It's the match-winner, in stoppage time of extra time, literally 30 seconds before the final whistle, that has me (and anyone intelligent) up in arms.
Yes, this is U-20. These are young players, but this is still World Cup level for them, so a goal of this level of ineptitude at that time can only be seen as somewhat questionable.
(Goal starts at 1:03 of the clip.)
The Ghanian player barely keeps the ball in play on the goal line wide of the goal, then chips the ball back in front of the goal to #17, who puts a weak header on the ball.
There are two defenders in position (and a third out of position) and the goalkeeper there to receive it. The goalie MIGHT be able to make a claim he was screened out.
Somehow the ball makes its way into the net for a 4-3 Ghana win.
How, short of an intentional act, can you claim the two defenders couldn't have gotten the ball standing, or, at the worst, lunged for it?
PUH-LEEZE!!
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