FIFA World Cup 2010: Football ‘Actors’ – De Rossi, Ronaldo, Torres, Altidore, Capdevila Faux Dives
Effected diving has, rather shockingly, become part and parcel of football, and many players use it to their advantage to win free-kicks, penalties and earn their opponents suspensions. What is more appalling is that many of the top players like Ronaldo, Torres and De Rossi seem to use such disgraceful tactics in important games. It is very disappointing to see them act this way, as these players are extremely talented, and should not have to resort to using such theatrics on the pitch. Let’s have a look at the top five dives in the World Cup so far:
Daniele De Rossi dived in Italy’s June 14 match against Paraguay (which ended in a 1-1 draw). De Rossi won the ball and advanced towards the Paraguayan goal. He had no contact with the Paraguayan defence and fell to the ground, depicting a trip. He was seen screaming at the referees and his Paraguayan opponents following the bizarre dive.
Secondly, the famous diver of the world, Cristiano Ronaldo dived in a match against Ivory Coast. Maybe it was frustration or it was just an act out of anger as he did not get a free kick before, which actually should have been a free kick. The Portuguese captain was outraged about the fact that he was pulled down by Demel and he was not given a free kick. Later, he dived to win one but could not really put it inside the net as the match ended in a goalless draw.
On number three, we cannot forget Fernando Torres’ dive against Chile in their June 25 group stages encounter. Spain had to win the match to qualify for the next round, and they actually did. However, it might not have been possible without a red card that was won by Estrada when Torres dived. Spain was winning by a one goal margin and Torres ran in and just simply dived in front of Estrada and he got the second yellow card right after Iniesta scored his first goal to make it 2-0. Spanish eventually won the match 2-1, as Chile scored a goal even after getting a red card in the first half.
On four, it’s USA’s biggest disappointment, Jozy Altidore. How can anyone forget how he dramatically dived in the match against Ghana to win himself a free-kick? The American international was not even touched by the Ghana player Dede Ayew. Ayew received his second yellow card of the tournament and is not going to be available for the match against the Uruguayans in the quarterfinals. Altidore just threw himself to the ground, and as the referee could not really decide whether the dive was staged or not, he gave the Americans a free kick. USA, however, could not win the match as it ended with Ghana winning 2-1 in extra time.
Last but not the least; it comes down to Joan Capdevila, who dived against the Portuguese in the pre quarterfinals. The Spaniards once again struck through diving. Capdevila, the right back for the Spanish side, came into his own 18 yard box and fell down apparently because of a thump he took by the elbow of Portuguese player Ricardo Costa. Costa received a shocking red card on the spot for attacking the face of the Spanish defender, although it was not earned. Spain were leading by one goal but the Portuguese at that point of time were attacking the Spaniards time and time again, and they might have scored a goal to draw the match, but this dive changed the course of the match, as the 10 man Portuguese side was defeated by Spain 1-0.
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