third world

minor

The straight beer drinkers vs the artistic hair cuts. Almost every physical contact ended with a Japanese player lying on the grass. Difficult for any referee to decide whether it's a foul or just a collision, maybe impossible for one from a minor football country like Egypt. But Esam Abd El Fatah did a good job.

play

The Egyptian referee kept the game rolling, even if it meant booking a player a few minutes after the fact. He was not childish and demanded the same attitude from the players: no complainig or lying on the ground in pain was allowed. Go on, play. Oblivious of Australian (and various other teams') coach Hiddink's rage, he gave the goal to the Japanese when Australia's goalie Schwarzer could't reach for the ball because of the large amount players standing in his way.

3rd world

So the discussion whether 3rd world referees should be put in charge of important matches can be answered with a yes. Sure. At least if we consider Egyptian Esam Abd El Fatah and only when next time he brings better assistants. The men from Senegal and Mali weren't up to it.