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Ncobo Discusses Controversial Japan Goal

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Former FIFA referee Ace Ncobo has applauded the Video Assistant Referee and Victor Gomes for making the right call in Japan’s 2-1 win over Spain.

There has been a debate on social networks as to whether Japan’s second goal by Ao Tanaka against Spain should’ve stood or not.

It was initially ruled that the ball had crossed the goalline in the build-up to the goal but the goal was given after VAR review, with Ncobo applauding the referees for making the right call.

“The VAR got it correctly, let’s start there,” Ncobo told iDiski Times when contacted for his expert opinion on the matter.

“It was the correct decision in regarding the ball as not having gone out of play.

“Because that applies in that situation says that the whole circumference of the ball must be over the particular line that we are referring to, in this case the goalie, for it to be a ball out of play.

“What is confusing most people is the fact that a ball is a circular object, it’s round not square, so they look at the bottom of the ball which obviously will be outside the field of play and disregard that the middle portion is part of the ball.

“The middle portion still remained above the line. The line itself forms part of the field of play. So the outer line is almost in line with the outer edge of the middle portion of the ball.

“As long as there is not clear daylight between the outer edge of the goalie and the middle portion of the ball in this particular instance, then the ball is regarded as in play.

“So the VAR based their decision on those facts.”

The goal ultimately made the difference for Japan, as the Asian side progressed as leaders in Group E ahead of Spain, while Germany were sent home after the group stages for a second time – had the goal been ruled out, Germany would’ve progressed and Japan gone home.

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