I can't believe it... but I agree with Sepp Blatter on something.
Recently, FIFA's President since 1998 (term limits?!) called for an elimination of the "tragedy" of penalties when deciding matches. I've got to say, it's about time. I'm sick of seeing World Cups, Champions League tournaments, various continental cups & even domestic league championships decided by 5 (or more) penalty shots. Team sports should award championships based on team interplay, not individuals in a skills competition.
If IT Project Management taught me anything it's that usually the best and most elegant solutions are the simplest. My fix for FIFA and the IFAB? Golden Goal Extra Time (GGET), with 2 tweaks:
Recently, FIFA's President since 1998 (term limits?!) called for an elimination of the "tragedy" of penalties when deciding matches. I've got to say, it's about time. I'm sick of seeing World Cups, Champions League tournaments, various continental cups & even domestic league championships decided by 5 (or more) penalty shots. Team sports should award championships based on team interplay, not individuals in a skills competition.
If IT Project Management taught me anything it's that usually the best and most elegant solutions are the simplest. My fix for FIFA and the IFAB? Golden Goal Extra Time (GGET), with 2 tweaks:
- Each side allowed one additional substitution
- Each side must remove one player
Nothing new here, really. Additional subs will reward a team's depth and bring life to the match in GGET. Removing a man from the pitch happens frequently enough with red cards that it wouldn't be a shock to the fabric of football. And that's the beauty, in my view; allowing the game to maintain its integrity while still deciding the winner of a given match.
The previous use of golden goal, from 2000-2004, was ended due to teams bunkering in rather than trying to score. With each team removing a player from the field, the game will open up a bit and entice more attacking opportunities.
There was also a lingering concern about player safety due to the fatigue of playing an extreme amount of minutes in potentially unlimited GGET. However, in the current IFAB model, it is mandated that everyone on the pitch after 90 min plays an additional 30. I'd bet a dollar that 2 out of 3 matches, with an additional sub and a more open field, would be solved within minutes 91-120.
Plus, let's look at who would be taking the field to start GGET in the 91st minute. Assuming a 4-man defensive line, 6 remaining field players start a game and do the bulk of the attacking. In the new model, 4 players could have been substituted at some point, and another would have been removed to start GGET. Not to say that defenders don't get hurt or tired, but if all 4 stayed on this leaves only 1 attacking player forced to play more than 90 minutes.
So, problem solved! I feel better already. Time for breakfast. Will the better team win more often? Who knows, but at least it will be via a goal created by a team and defended by a team. Yes... we'll switch ends each 15 minutes to keep any pitch or wind concerns at bay. No, it might not be as riveting for some fans as penalties... but I refer to my previous argument about this being a team sport.
The previous use of golden goal, from 2000-2004, was ended due to teams bunkering in rather than trying to score. With each team removing a player from the field, the game will open up a bit and entice more attacking opportunities.
There was also a lingering concern about player safety due to the fatigue of playing an extreme amount of minutes in potentially unlimited GGET. However, in the current IFAB model, it is mandated that everyone on the pitch after 90 min plays an additional 30. I'd bet a dollar that 2 out of 3 matches, with an additional sub and a more open field, would be solved within minutes 91-120.
Plus, let's look at who would be taking the field to start GGET in the 91st minute. Assuming a 4-man defensive line, 6 remaining field players start a game and do the bulk of the attacking. In the new model, 4 players could have been substituted at some point, and another would have been removed to start GGET. Not to say that defenders don't get hurt or tired, but if all 4 stayed on this leaves only 1 attacking player forced to play more than 90 minutes.
So, problem solved! I feel better already. Time for breakfast. Will the better team win more often? Who knows, but at least it will be via a goal created by a team and defended by a team. Yes... we'll switch ends each 15 minutes to keep any pitch or wind concerns at bay. No, it might not be as riveting for some fans as penalties... but I refer to my previous argument about this being a team sport.
With the European Championships starting this weekend, I wish a system like this were already in place. Hopefully a change is in the cards before Brazil 2014.
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