Several countries have already qualified for the final tournament. world cup. Some players are still competing for position in the final round of group play.
Any coach looking to advance a team beyond the next round must balance the high-risk, high-reward scenario of playing a key player who already has a yellow card against the possibility of another player eliminating them in the next game or sitting that player out.
For example, the United States had already decided on its group stage before Thursday night’s game against Turkey, and four players already had yellow cards. As a result, manager Mauricio Pochettino had to decide whether to keep some of his star players absent.
To play or not to play?
At this stage, the referee blowing his whistle and moving to the pocket is a nightmare for fans, players and coaches alike. A player who has already been given a yellow in the first two matches will be automatically suspended from the next match in the Elimination Round if he receives a yellow in the next match.
Red card? Even worse. This could result in an immediate ejection from the match, an automatic suspension from the next match, and further disciplinary action if the foul is deemed to be sufficiently serious.
But teams that have already advanced to the next round have a lifeline and breathing room. If a clean sheet is maintained in the final group match, players with yellow cards in earlier matches will have their records erased by the start of the elimination round.
How to get a yellow or red card
A yellow card is a warning for a variety of fouls, including reckless challenges, wasting time, excessive celebrations and altercations with match officials. Relentless fouls in the penalty area and denial of scoring opportunities are also quick ways to earn a yellow card.
In a heated game, many things are left to the referee’s discretion.
Red cards are more rare and are usually caused by more serious penalties, such as dangerous tackles, violent play, spitting, biting, offensive language, or denying a clear scoring opportunity.
This year’s new rules mean players will be given a red card if they cover their mouths to cover up their speech during a confrontation with another player. That happened to the Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron In the second round.
A player who receives two yellow cards in one match will also receive a red card, be sent off and be suspended from the next match.
Accumulated yellows pose a big question: To play or not to play?
The yellow/red card element can be a dilemma for coaches. Teams competing for a spot in the next round will need their best players on the field, even if they have previously received a yellow card.
Coaches whose teams have already advanced to the next round are likely to keep a record of players who receive yellow cards.
The United States had four starting pitchers receive yellow cards in the first two games, including two by striker Folarin Balogun and defender Chris Richards late in America’s 2-0 win over Australia.
“We don’t have to risk getting another yellow card and not being able to play in the next round,” Pochettino said on Wednesday.
Top teams with multiple players with yellow cards in their final group matches also include Portugal (four matches) and the Netherlands (three matches).
Additional amnesty will be given to teams this World Cup, but the card could be a tiebreaker.
This year’s World Cup expanded from 32 to 48 teams, meaning more matches and more opportunities for players to earn yellow or red cards.
FIFA has therefore established two “amnesty” periods for accumulated yellow cards. The first round will take place after the group stage and the second round after the quarter-finals.
And with the expansion of the tournament, several third-place teams will advance from the group stage. And buried deep within the tiebreaker system is a team’s “conduct score,” which takes into account accumulated yellow and red cards. Too many and you risk being kicked out of the tournament.
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