Thailand
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November 19th - 22nd
A diary from the
FIFA U-19 Women's World Cup
in Thailand, November 2004.
I started today with my wake-up
call from home, then breakfast and on the bus at 0750hrs. We sat on the
bus until 0820hrs when our fitness instructor Sam finally went outside
to ask the driver about the delay, and found him in the
engine. The bus was broken... Yeah no training! Yah right! The vans that
take all the other instructors to the field were
immediately called (as everyone has cell phones) and they came back to
the hotel to get us after dropping off the
instructors. As they are only a couple of vans, they shuttled people back
and forth, so we got to the field at 0900hrs.
It was a quick warm-up and then split into our 2 groups for technical
training.
The AR's again worked on offsides and plays along the touch line and goal
line. As my trio and the Australian trio were
leaving this afternoon for a game the following day, we were then sent
back to the hotel after the technical training. Once
at the hotel we had to go to the pool and loosen up for 30 minutes, then
go for a massage. We then showered, packed
and met all the others for lunch. At lunch the Greek referee Antonia was
presented with todays paper as she made the
front page reffing the USA game in Phuket. It is a very nice and unique
souvenir and she was thrilled.
Immediately after lunch was the game analysis meeting from 1400-1630 hours.
It is the first analysis that we have had
and we looked at tapes from all 6 games. People were pretty nervous as
many had never had themselves analyzed on
tape, or even seen themselves on tv before. It was a very long and interesting
afternoon and hopefully many learned
from the mistakes so we can get better. As Esse and Sonia stress, they
are not evaluating us at these meetings, that
was done by the Assessor at the game. They are our coaches and want to
help us get better.
After the meeting we were presented with our Adidas watches and a medal.
They had finally cleared customs and are
very nice to have.
This evening was a group outing....shopping at a night bazaar/market.
Unfortunately we are not able to go as we are off
to the airport. I guess we are here for the games and not the shopping,
right! We had a big send off as everyone was in
the lobby at the same time as us to go shopping, it was very nice to have
a team supporting you and cheering for you.
The eight of us had a quick and safe flight, just over an hour, to Chiang
Mai and arrived at 2100 hours. It is noticeably
less humid here. The others think it is colder...I wouldn't go that far!
It is around 30 degrees instead of 35, and less
humidity and smog. A very hot summer night at home. We were met by a young
lady, just like the 2 we have in Bangkok
who assist us all the time, and an armed police officer. This was a surprise
as it is the first police officer I have seen
with a gun since being in Thailand. Even more surprising was that the
police officer accompanied us to our van, then
got in the front seat and stayed with us until the hotel. We had a full
police escort, motorcycles in front and back, all the
way to the hotel....pretty cool!
We all went for a late dinner at the hotel as we were starving, then took
a really quick walk (only one block) and went to
bed. The hotel is very nice, but the rooms and meals are not the same
standard as in Bangkok. We would definitely lose
weight if we had to stay here for a length of time! There are many mystery
meals due to the language barrier, and it
ended up being a running joke with the FIFA people there....you never
get what you order, and you better never be in a
hurry to get it. We had a lot of laughs.
was with us in Bangkok for the first 5 days, then was appointed to Chiang Mai for the first round of games. We had a
small buffet breakfast in the restaurant and quickly realized that we are staying at the same hotel as the 4 teams. This
is a little weird as in Bangkok we are alone and don't have to worry about running into them at mealtime, or in the
elevator, etc. The good thing is that we are only in for 2 nights maximum, then out again, so that should limit any
contact or problems.
Sandra told us that next door to the hotel is a big shopping market and that we were allowed to go there until lunchtime
at 1300hours, when we would all meet again at the hotel. Well of course we all jumped at that idea and headed off
shopping! Things are very inexpensive here and the time flew by. We met for lunch at the same restaurant and were
deciding who got the best deal shopping. Well it was agreed that Michelle, AR Australia, won.....$5 for an hour foot
massage. Can you believe that! We were all wishing we had another day in Chiang Mai to cash in on that deal post
game day when our feet and legs could definitely use it.
After lunch it was to our rooms to relax and get prepared. I know that this is going to be a very challenging game. I was
on the game 2 years ago Brazil vs Canada on a "friendly match", and know how they play. Nigeria is the talk of the
tournament and are fast and feisty. Whoever wins this game will be considered the strongest of the group. The first
crew went off to their game at 1500 hours for the China vs Italy match, and we met in the lobby at 1630hrs. This was the
first time in our dress suits, and they sure are sharp. For those that are not aware, all officials had dress suits, shirts,
and a blouse made for them for this tournament so we look like a team going to the games. They are dark blue, a blazer
with the FIFA crest embroidered on it, and pants....all made in Europe and very nice. We had pictures taken, then it was
off to the stadium only 15 minutes away.
We arrived just on time for the kick-off of the first game. The stadium was nice, newer than in Bangkok, and the field
looked great. There were about 1000 fans for the first game. We sat in the stands and watched the first half before
going down to our dressing room at field level. Italy was leading 1-0. Each referee crew has their own dressing room
which is nice that we are not bothering each other. We could hear the intensity of the first game pick up the second half,
and as we peeked out the window due to the noise, saw more fans were arriving for our game. The hearts were starting
to pump a little quicker now and the butterflies were setting in.
The first game ended and we walked out to start our warm-up as the Aussies were coming in the tunnel from the field.
They looked wiped. The game ended 2-1 for China. Now it's our turn. We had a good 25 minute warm-up, then back in
the dressing room to change into our uniforms. We are wearing black as Brazil is in yellow and Nigeria is green. We are
also wearing our heart monitors. We wear them in training as well as in games to track ourselves....pretty interesting eh.
We were called into the tunnel to check the teams and get ready for the walk-out. Brazil is already jumping around and
singing very loudly. In checking the teams it was noticed that a Brazilian player was not wearing proper shin guards
(way too small, they would not even fit my 7-year old nephew Jake!) and they had to be changed. The games have
started already!
So we get that fixed and here we go....the FIFA anthem starts and through the tunnel and up to to the field level we go.
Now there are not that many songs or anthems that get me choked up, but that one does it. I have to fight back the tears
and the nerves all the way out there. I am happy to learn that I am not the only one, we are all like that, even if we are just
sitting in the stands watching.....the feelings and emotion are hard to control. The anthems of both teams are done, the
photos are taken and it's time for the coin toss. Brazil won it and decided that they want the ball. Funny heh! How long
ago did that law change, and they still try to ask (more of a demand) for the ball. They chose their side, so Nigeria gets
the kick-off, but wouldn't you know that of course 2 Brazilians were trying to take the kick-off. They said that they were
confused, yah right. This is going to be one heck of a game!
I am junior AR with Brazil defending. Brazil starts the game very confident and appears cocky. I thought that I would ease
into the game with Brazil on the attack....boy was I wrong! It was 2-0 Nigeria by the 20th minute...what a surprise! Of
course this made things even more heated on the field. I needed to do a lot of talking to try to keep Brazil calm and
level-headed, and thank goodness Virginia is a very experienced referee in Mexico, she had good control. Nigeria has
a very fast attack, especially with their #4, so of course the Brazilian defenders were all over her. So things were moving
along, Brazil got the play into the Nigeria end and were awarded a free kick in the centre of the field just outside the
penalty box in the 35th minute. I had #4 Nigeria hanging at the centre line as she always is, ready for quick ball back up
the field, and 2 Brazilian defenders #3 and #4. #3 was behind the Nigerian player, while #4 was on the other side of the
centre mark. Once the free kick was awarded, I kept my eyes on the 3 players in front of me. The kick was taken and
apparently hit the cross bar, I don't know because what I saw was #3 Brazil intentionally kick the back of the knee of the
Nigerian player, bringing her to the ground. I reacted immediately by putting up my flag and looking for the Referee who
unfortunately had her back to me. The crowd behind me gasped as they also saw the incident....I had to get Virginia's
attention. We are using the beep flags, my first time using them, and now my first time ever having to beep the Ref, and
it is for such a serious incident. I get my finger down to the right position and the ball goes out of play for a Nigerian
throw-in deep on the other side of the field. Virginia hears the beep, turns around, stops play and comes running over to
my side of the field. Everything is very quiet. Now Virginia speaks Spanish, and a little bit of English, and I don't speak
Spanish but am trying to learn. In a stressful situation like this we have to get it clear and right. I am telling her #3 yellow
(Brazil) and she is trying to determine if I am saying yellow team or yellow card. It is funny after, but stressful at the time
for us to get it right. Finally I say "#3 Brazil red/ruo" and she repeats the same twice with me saying "yes, si". It of course felt like we were there for an eternity, but it was actually less than 10 seconds. Virginia runs right over to #3 and sends
her off with a red card for violent conduct. The crowd behind me cheers and yelling yeah, but the crowd on the other side
of the field are booing.
Of course #3 challenges Virginia with 3 other teammates at her side, but she quickly gets control and #3 walks off the
field in tears. Sasha is the 4th official and at half time said that it was the quietest the Brazilian bench had been all
game, they knew they got caught. So the first half ends and we suddenly have police waiting for us on the side of the
field. Oh oh, they weren't here earlier. We go to our dressing room, I tell Virginia what happened and she is happy and
supportive with my call. Unfortunately not everyone else is. It was the busiest half time I have ever had. People in and
out wanting me to describe the incident over and over. Apparently of the 10 television cameras surrounding the field,
not one of them caught the incident. In the game analysis meeting yesterday we were warned about all the cameras
and our conduct. They showed refs wiping their noses, scratching themselves, etc, and now not one of them caught
the foul. Also there is a FIFA delegate sitting in the VIP section from Brazil who is apparently not happy and asking
many questions. Just my luck! Before I had a chance to rest, we were called back out to the field. On my way out I had
a Representative tell me, forget about the red card and have another great second half. I think that will be easier said
than done!
Brazil comes out strong in the second half as expected and scores a goal. It remained 2-1 for most of the second half,
with Brazil being caught off-side on many attacks. Nigeria keeps fighting back and are looking strong. Finally Brazil has
a break down the field, the centre passes it through to the far winger on a very tight play, and she shoots and scores. It
is tied 2-2. Nigeria keeps strong and has an opportunity just inside the Brazilian half with a free kick. The player takes
a beautiful kick and scores with only minutes remaining. Brazil tries to come back but Nigeria keeps playing well and
does not become defensive. The game ends 3-2 for Nigeria.
The officials unite to walk off the field together and of course have a tough time getting past the Brazilian's without
comments. The police are waiting for us at the half and escort us with FIFA representatives to our dressing room. It's
big hugs all around.....what a game! That was all we heard for the rest of the night. Very exciting and entertaining and
well controlled by the officials, everyone was happy with our performance.
We hit the showers, then did a lot of paperwork before being able to leave the stadium. The Aussie crew had already
traveled back to Bangkok, but we were staying the night as it was too late to catch a flight. Well we did not have a police
escort coming to the game, but we definitely had one leaving. Guess that tells you what kind of game we had, even if
I don't tell you everything.
We get to the hotel and are to meet with the other FIFA Representatives (about 12 of us) in the restaurant for dinner.
At 1230am we excuse ourselves as we are falling asleep at the table. We are all physically, mentally, and emotionally
drained and have to be up at 0700hrs to prepare to go back to Bangkok. I do not sleep well and worry about what
awaits me in the morning both here and in Bangkok. I hope they can find the incident on tape.
after the game last night, so I have not had the opportunity to get any feedback. I know that my call was 100% correct,
but being questioned so much about it and not really having any support has me concerned. The only thing I was told
last night was that the tape was in Bangkok for Sonia and Esse to go over and try and find the incident.
We met in the hotel lobby with our packed luggage and then went for breakfast. Unfortunately we were not alone.
The Brazilian team and Chinese team were also having breakfast as they were flying to Bangkok to play their last
game against each other of the first round. Thailand and Australia are flying to Chiang Mai to play their last game
against each other. So breakfast was very fast and stressful with glares and hisses from the Brazilian team and
coaching staff. We left for the airport early and waited alone at the gate for over an hour until the teams showed up.....
they were on the same flight as us. The teams got on the plane first and unfortunately we had to pass them going to
our seats. As we passed they hissed at us and started yelling ¨beep,beep¨referring to me using the flag beeper.
We arrived in Bangkok after 1100hrs and were at the hotel by noon. I was drained and needed to talk to someone so
I called home to tell my husband about the game. Of course I had his full support and felt much better, ready to face
everyone at lunch, as I was sure that they had heard about the game. I went to lunch and met Hege. She was so happy
to have Sasha and I and the Aussies back together. I was not seated for more than a few minutes when our table was
rushed with officials wanting to hear about the red card, but not knowing it was from me. Well they were shocked to say
the least and very supportive and cheering. Sonia heard the commotion and came over. She had not heard the details
or yet viewed the tape so I had to tell the story all over again. She was very supportive and said that it was well handled
and a courageous call. I was so relieved!
Sonia and Esse immediately went to view the tape to try and find the incident. The rest of us went to the pool to relax
and enjoy the afternoon.
About an hour later Sonia arrived knowing where to find me. The Disciplinary Commissioner wanted more information
about the incident and I was required to submit another report. I completed another one and met Sonia and Esse in the
FIFA Office. They were watching the tape and could not believe the temperature of the game. This has been by far the
most difficult game to officiate. I was allowed to stay with them and watch the tape and answer their questions.
Everything I had said about the game leading up to the incident was proven on the tape, but the foul was not caught by
any angle.
I went back to the pool for another 30 minutes, and then Hege and I went for a massage before our 1700hr meeting.
2 televisions have been set up in our meeting room for us to watch the USA game live from Phuket. We then went for
dinner and afterwards 9 of us went shopping to the night bazaar market. That was an event!
Tomorrow is our first scheduled rest day. We are planning to sleep in a bit and then probably go shopping......what a
surprise! We have our game analysis meeting in the afternoon and I am anxious to see if anything else comes out of
the tape. I am sure that I will sleep better tonight.
and I could not reach him by phone last night to tell him it is a rest day. That´s ok, I would rather talk to home than sleep.
I walked into our breakfast room to find my friends planning our shopping trip. As we had to leave right away, I grabbed
an orange juice and a piece of bread and we were on our way.
We were back at the hotel by noon for lunch, then into our game analysis meeting at 1300hrs. Boy is that stressful.
Waiting to see clips from your game to be analyzed by everyone. I was keeping my fingers crossed that if I was shown it
was because I did something good rather than a mistake. Luckily that is what happened. They of course showed the
red card incident, not the foul, but the teamwork of Virginia and I making the call and the sending off. All the AR´s
cheered, it´s nice to have the support. They also showed a clip of my good position on the second Nigerian goal as it
looked to be a close goal, at first stopped by the goalie right on the line, but then went over her hands and back. I was
right at the corner to know that it was a goal. We had just practiced this in technical training a couple of days ago,
getting to the corner in case of a close call, so it was good to be able to show it done properly.
The meeting lasted a couple of hours and then we were given the appointments for the next 6 games. I am going to
Phuket! I am lucky to have the opportunity to see all 3 host cities, not many officials have that chance. My trio is appointed
to the USA vs Spain game on Thursday. We will leave Wednesday evening. This is a huge game and we have to be
ready to do our best, just like we did with the first game. USA has to win to end the first round #1 in the group, and Spain
has to win to have the chance of advancing. That game and tomorrow´s game here in Bangkok, Brazil vs China, are the
two most important games. As I guessed, Sasha, Hege and Bleshnika are the crew on the Brazil game. Everyone had
a big pep talk from Sonia and Esse on bumping up performances as the games are becoming more important and
more difficult. As Sonia says, the next game may be your last so give everything you have, 100%. The Canadian game
will be officiated by Sarah of France, with Michaela of Austria and Yolanda of Spain as AR´s.
After the meeting I ran for a computer to catch up on 4 days of my diary. We then went for dinner and returned to the
meeting room to watch our Brazil vs Nigeria game. Everything was good. The Instructors have gone shopping to
Chinatown for the night, so we are all just hanging out and looking at game tapes. This is good for me as the
televisions are in the same room as the computers, so I am able to do 2 things at once!
So that´s all for Monday. Back training first thing tomorrow morning for 4 hours, and then I get to go to the stadium and
watch the Brazil game and Canada game in the evening. It should be a great night of football!
the old one. This one is very big and much nicer!
Today is cloudy but still very humid. To us it looks like it is going to rain heavy, but the locals says no. The training format
has changed for this week. We now do our 30 minute warm up, then go right into fitness training for an hour. Then we
break off into our groups for technical training, then finish training together, referees and AR's. Of course we still finish
with our game of volleyball!
The fitness training has been bumped up. Today was the hardest day yet....it was brutal. We did a figure 8 run the length
and width of the entire field at 80-90% of maximum. We started with a 2 minute run, one minute walk, then 4 minute run,
2 minute walk, then 8 minute run, 4 minute walk, and back down to 4 minute run, 2 minute walk, and finally finished with
a fast 2 minute run. We were pooped!
As today is game day here in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, 16 officials were not at training. The six officials that have the
next games in Phuket (my trio) and Bangkok (the Aussies) on Thursday were separated from the rest. We worked with
Jose Maria and Esse on getting tricky close calls right and getting signals and little things perfect. Today I am very tired
and my legs and feet are cramping so I did not join in the volleyball fun as it is not mandatory. I used the time to stretch
and was given 2 sports drink to down as I have been cramping all morning. I guess this is common this late after a
game if I have not eaten, drank, and cooled down properly. Well none of us did and we are all sluggish today. I have to
concentrate and force myself to drink water all day so I am ready for my next game.
We were all back at the hotel for lunch at 1300hrs and were hoping to relax by the pool, but the weather did not
cooperate. We had a few hours to ourselves in the afternoon, and then were off to the stadium to watch the Brazil v
China game and Canada v Germany game.
The games were very entertaining and the officials did a good job. After my incident in the last Brazil game, everyone
was watching the Brazil defenders with the China attacker off the ball. It of course was happening again, just this time
it was #5 Brazil as she had replaced #3 who was sitting out the game. It was the talk of the first half, so the assessor
went down to the officials room at halftime and told them to deal with it. The first chance Sasha had immediately in the
second half, the yellow cards were out, and problem solved. China fought hard to come back but lost 2-1.
I'm sure everyone saw the Canada v Germany game. Germany was very strong and I was surprised to see Canada
come back. I heard that Canada will now play China in the next round. China beat Italy and Nigeria and tied Brazil to get
this far....it will not be easy for Canada.
We were back to the hotel at 2230hrs and very tired. My UEFA friends were very happy with their game and received
much congratulations. I am happy for them, they deserved it.
I went right to bed as I will be up early in the morning for training. I am going to Phuket at 1600hrs and am looking
forward to seeing it. The hotel is supposed to be on the beach, not that I will have a chance to really enjoy it, but I will
take some pictures. Virginia, Rita, and I are looking forward to this game. We have to be ready and do our best, which
is what we all expect of ourselves anyways.
Up early and off to training.
It is very hot again today, yesterday I guess would have been the coolest
day yet, and it was
30 degrees. Today it is already 34!
Training was good for my trio and the Aussies as it is pre game day, so
we took part in the warm up, then went into
individual technical training while the rest of the group suffered through
speed endurance training....it looked awful!
Esse and Sonia ran us through routines to perfect certain things that
could be improved upon from our last games.
Now all of a sudden technical training is including what signal the AR
would give to the Referee if she wants a yellow
or red card....gee I wonder why?
Once the group was finished their fitness training, we were taken back
to the hotel with the fitness instructor and had
training in the pool. Well I could handle that everyday! We did do exercises,
running, and stretching....it wasn´t all just
laying on the poolside, although that did happen after!
I then went for a thai massage which was wonderful. It hurt like heck,
but it was good. Then we were off to lunch and
then I had to rest and pack as I was leaving the hotel at 1600hrs for
the airport to Phuket.
I had a big send off from all my friends here which was very nice to have
their support and encouragement, they know
that this is a big game. We got to the airport for our 1830hrs flight
to find out that there have been no reservations made
for us. Whoever is in charge thought that the games were finished in Phuket
as 2 teams returned to Bangkok to play
their last game, but USA and Spain remained to have the final game in
Phuket. So that added a bit of stress on the
Referee and the poor liaison officer trying to sort things out. He finally
received authorization to purchase tickets for us
at 1800hrs, but of course the flight that we are to be on is sold out.
He bought the last 4 tickets on the last flight out at 2140 hrs with his
own money.
So we returned to the hotel, 30 minutes away, and had dinner with everyone.
Boy were they surprised to see us! We had
a good dinner, then returned to the airport for our flight and landed
in Phuket at 2300hrs. We then were driven to the
hotel, actually a beach resort, 50 minutes away and met Ingrid Jonsson,
FIFA Instructor, who has been appointed here
since the tournament started. She took us to our rooms and made sure everything
was fine, then informed us that we
would meet for breakfast at 0900hrs.
It was right to bed and hopefully sleep in a bit in the morning to catch
up on some rest. I can hardly wait until daylight to
see the beach!
there´s a beach to check out and pictures to take so I did that.
It is absolutely heaven here! My husband says that there are photos on the web site and it looks beautiful, I have not
seen them, but they must be right. Beautiful resort, right on the white sandy beach...we were wishing that we could have
been here 13 days ago!
We all met for breakfast at 0900hrs, then it was into a meeting at 0930hrs with the General Coordinator of the match to
go over team colours and other matters regarding the field and game, etc. After that meeting we then had our pre game
meeting. It was not long as we did not have any problems working together on our first game, so everything was to stay
the same. As Anna DeToni, Italy Ref, is our 4th, most of the meeting was directed to her as we have not had a game
with her previously.
After the meeting it was to the beach! We were swimming in the Adaman sea by 1000hrs, and stayed there until lunch
at 1300hrs. We decided that it has so far been a perfect day, and we want to have a good game to end the day still
perfect....that was our goal.
We were off to the stadium at 1500hrs. There was a bad car accident on the only road into and out of where we were
staying, but the FIFA delegates had radio contact with the police and everything was arranged for us to leave. You would
think that we are royalty the way we are sometimes treated. The traffic was blocked for miles in both directions, yet we
drove on the wrong side of the road and were allowed around all the chaos. We made it to the stadium located in
Phuket town with no problems, just a brief downpour that had stopped by the time we got there.
The stadium is small, but they have been having the best crowds of the tournament, and it looks like it will be the same
tonight. There are usually about 8000 fans a game and as this is the last game in Phuket with the USA playing, it is
expected to be full. It is also live on Thailand tv and expectations are high for a good game. Great just what we need,
more pressure!
We did a walk of the field, had photos taken, then changed to start our warm up. That was done and the teams look
ready to go. It was back up to our dressing room and change into our uniforms, we are again wearing black with USA in
red and Spain in white. The dressing rooms are at the top of the stadium for us and both teams, really quite a walk to
the field. We are by the clock as the game is live on tv, so have many people running around giving us a countdown. We
come out of the dressing room to check the teams in the upstairs hallway and it is crazy. There are FIFA representatives
everywhere as we are outside the office and media room, the teams and coaches are all there, the tv personnel....it was
very difficult to work in such a confined area. We noticed that the USA goalie was wearing shin guards way too small,
similar to the Brazilian player on the earlier game, so she was told to change them. This sent her into a frenzy, and the
media people as we cannot delay anything. Anyways, it was such a long walk to the field entrance, she was able to get
them replaced with her proper pair that suddenly appeared.
So we are inside the stadium, still above field level when the cues are given and the anthem starts, the flags go out, and
then it is us. We have to walk down stairs, then through a hallway and out to the stadium. We come out in the middle of
the stadium and have to walk down more steps that are lined with police officers. That was a weird feeling. I have heard
my father´s stories about walking out to the field lined with police officers, and now it was happening to me. I did not get
choked up hearing the anthem today, but that thought connecting my experiences to those of my dad did it to me.
The game started and the stadium was full. There was continual singing and drumming the entire game, it was really
cool. The game was not difficult, after the Brazil v Nigeria game, we can handle anything! Both teams settled down right
away and tried to set up the plays with Spain having many more opportunities than USA. I am defending with USA and
they were not playing the offside trap, so it was very flowing. In the 30th minute Spain had a huge shot on net with the
USA keeper making a diving save, but the ball still got by her and was rolling towards the net. Thank goodness I was
right in position and the last I saw of the ball, it was still touching the line and not a goal. The keeper dove across the
line blocking my view. Virginia was in perfect position and I looked at her and shook my head no and she had the view
of the other side of the keeper and was able to see that the ball did not entirely cross the line. The keeper got the ball
and play continued. In the 43rd minute the USA scored, so it was 1-0 at half time.
The second half was similar to the first. USA was playing quite defensive and when getting the chance, booting it up the
field to one or two attackers. There were many close offside calls, I think I had about 5, so even though the game was
not overly challenging, full concentration was needed to get the calls right. The game ended 1-0 USA. It was a good
game and well handled by us, no problems. The FIFA delegates and teams were extremely happy with our performance
and we had many people coming to us to shake our hands, but I do not know who they all were. Everyone was happy,
so that is all that matters.
We had an hour to shower and change, talk quickly to the assessor, then it was off to the airport. It was a very long flight
coming home, as tickets were not purchased in advance for us after yesterday´s screw up, so we were booked on an
unknown airline. It was not very good as there were many delays, we had to circle Bangkok for over 40 minutes before we
were allowed to land, and the 50 minute flight took us almost 2 hours.
We got back to the hotel and the FIFA Instructors were having a meeting in the lobby, I think appointing quarter finals.
They saw us come in and immediately came over to congratulate us. Sonia was the first one to me with a big smile on
her face and said it wasn´t a goal. Huge relief! Even though I was confident in my call, it is good to know that it was
proven correct, even with all the tv cameras and instant replays. Sonia and Esse laughed that they went over the tape
frame by frame many times, which doesn't surprise me, and it was the correct call.
So that was the end of our perfect day. It was right to bed as we were exhausted. We get to sleep in as we have
post game training in the pool at 1000hrs. We will see what wakes me up tomorrow.