The ramifications haven’t quite sunk in yet, neither for myself or most Brazilians.
Brazil won the game yesterday over Colombia, but at a high cost.
Neymar was challenged by Napoli defender Juan Zuniga late in the game – BBC
A dirty tackle, a knee in the back sent Neymar off in agony with a fractured vertebra; a foul that was left unpunished and left Neymar out of the cup.
Which prompted the question “Was this the dirtiest game so far?”
Brazil has made to the semi-finals where they play Germany.
Undoubtedly Neymar was Brazil’s key, without the key can we unlock the door to the finals.
In the last three games, Neymar was hunted, persecuted. Had he been a European player the matter would have been pursued rigorously.
The refereeing in this cup has been deplorable, not only Brazilian games, but overall. The most noticeable was Nigeria being denied a penalty, the referee just wasn’t interested.
The integrity of all FIFA matches is in doubt with the current referees.
Septic Blathermouth needs to change the game and bring in technology oriented ‘third referee’ decisions. He says it would ruin the game, but cricket has had it for decades and the game has never been ruined.
Yesterday was BBQs to the right, BBQs to the left, lots of fireworks, but no cannon. I broke out some of my treasured cans of Murphy’s Irish Stout, such was the importance of the game.
I had local brew with the earlier game.
Today, I am drinking fresh guava juice… 🙂
There’s no need to explain why.
I am late on deck today, feeling a bit demoralised and not really in the mood for blogging.
So with Brazil in the semis, I have no classes on Tuesday…
I am off to wallow in my pity.
Later
Life is but a Labyrinth 
Will you still like me if I support Germany over Brazil?? 😉
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>Expat, my myopia doesn’t extend to football… 🙂
AV
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OK, cool 🙂 Happy it went to penos tonight! Excitement 🙂
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I felt rather sorry for Costa Rica, I was rooting for them. Those penatlies will be mentioned in my post today, the conduct of the Dutch goalie was reprehensible, and I felt Navas let CR down, earlier his goal deflecting skills were much better.
AV
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I also think Scolari should have taken Neymar off around the 75th minute. He was tired, the game was won.
Still, poor reffing.
I hope Brazil can do it, but I can’t see them doing it with no striker.
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>lion, your point is valid. Poor reffing… it was a red card. Having seen slow mo of the sttack today, confirms it was a cowardly attack that had no merit, the Colombian had nothing to gain, pure persecution… “Take him out!”
AV
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We can start watching now in HK – the semis and the final are on free to air TV. So far only the subscribers have been allowed to watch. I would rather like Holland to win. I loved their ‘total football’ approach in the past and feel they have given a lot to the game. Frankly as long as Argentina doesn’t win I don’t really care. Their thuggish approach to soccer has always disturbed me and it extends to their politics. Nice country though.
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>Andrew, we have had it on TV since the first game, I have only missed one game through work, I have been soccered! I was rather in favour of Holland, but have turned against them (read comment above and today’s post). Brazilians of course would like to see a Argy/Braz final and the chance to rub the Argy’s collective noses in it. True, Argentina is a lovely country, I have made some of my best trips there, particularly the northwest from Tucuman to the Bolivian border; fascinating country, among my fav places in SA.
AV
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