I hate watching world class players dive

Henry chases the ball.

Puyol, the crazy haired Spanish defender is in his path, as he too chases the ball. Puyol however, realises that his left back, Mariano Perina, would reach the ball first.

Puyol then decides to slow down his pace, and put his body in the way of Henry and the ball, thus increasing the chances of Perina retrieving the ball and passing it to a Spanish player, and hopefully, start another attack going.

Henry pace however, does not let off. He knows he's lighting quick. He knows if he puts enough pressure on the defenders, something might go his way.

But Henry at full speed, fails to negotiate around a limbering Puyol and runs smack into the back of him! Kapow!

In that instant of a second, the theatrical antics of his French side take and speaks to him, "Hold ye face as though u'd been bitchslapped, even though Puyol's arms only touched your tits, fall over and do a couple of rolls"

Even though the rolls weren't executed properly, heck, they werent even executed at all, the 'acting' was enough to captivate the referee and award a free kick.

France graciously accepts, and floats one into the penalty box. Xabi Alonso is first to reach it, but his header simply pushes the ball back into the path of an on-rushing Viera. World class players don't miss from that range. France 2 - Spain 1.


Dissapointing

Players dive all the time. I don't mind if an average player dives, because sometimes thats the only skill they have. Sometimes, its the only way they can win things for their team. But its still not right, though sorta acceptable in a world where nothing is black and white, but grey.

But when a truly top class player, who's blessed with an abundance of talent, and can win games singlehandedly with the flick of his boot..... resorts to diving, it just makes me sad.

This applies to every World Class player that i love to watch.

I am absolutely disgusted to see my heroes do this. The worst part of all, is that i don't think this 'disease' is going to go away. Younger players will learn from this. Kids watching will learn from this.

Referee's, will have a hard time curbing this, unless the use to camera replays are implemented. I suggest the fourth referee do something more usefull, like have a TV set in front of him, and make decisions based on the replays.

Frankly speaking, i wouldn't have seen the dive by Henry without the instant replay. It looked a clear foul when it happened, and thus, no blame is attached to the referee for missing it.

Overall though, its been a good World Cup. I'm loving every second of it. Ok, i've run out of things to say.