Mark Geiger and family might want to avoid vacationing in Panama for a while.
Instead of the grit Panama showed, or Mexico’s continued difficulty with scoring from open play, people will be talking about: Mark Geiger.
In the 25th minute Luis Tejada jumped into the air for a loose ball; it missed his head, but hit Tejada’s hand. Geiger judged that to be worthy of a red card and ejected Tejada.
That red card changed the completion of the game, as Mexico basically controlled the ball from then on, while Panama feverishly defended and threatened on the occasional counter-attack.
Panama seemed to regain their balance and began to play with energy pressing Mexico’s midfield, creating turnovers, and creating chances from set pieces.
Throughout opening minutes of the second half Panama continued manufacturing counterattacking chances, while picking up fouls in Mexico’s half. From there, the Panamanians got four near free headers within the next ten minutes, only three of them missed. Panama’s Captain, Roman Torres, headed in Armando Cooper’s corner kick back post to give Panama the early.
Soon, Mexico increased their attacking pressure and basically camped in Panama’s half. Panama was simply happy to clear each potential chance as far into the stands as they could, and did until the most controversial play of the tournament began.
Mark Geiger called a penalty on a handball in the box in the 89th minute. For the next ten minutes Panama vehemently protested the penalty: players were ejected, some had to be restrained, and others argued their case to whomever was willing to listen.
Once play resumed, Andres Guardado stepped up to the spot and converted.
Extra Time returned with more of the same. Mexico continued to create chances and come up with nothing to show, and Panama fought for turnovers looking for set pieces and crosses for open headers in the box.
The bulk open play occurred in Panama’s side of the field. And eventually Mexico caught yet another break. Mark Geiger called another penalty in reaction to a Mexican attacker falling in the box, from heavy contact from Panamanian defenders.
Andre Guardado stepped up to the spot and converted.
Panama fought with whatever they had left but in the end: Mexico had all of the numbers in their favor: Time of possession, number of players on the field, red cards, and penalty calls.
In Mexico’s last two games they have generated a ton of chances, but have only scored from the penalty spot. Let’s see if their offensive woes continue in their final against Jamaica.
As for Mark Geiger: I’m sure once he sees the replays later on, he’ll probably question quite of few of his decisions, along with many others.
