|
Not that I particularly condone it, but the diving and whining plays a larger role than just diving and whining. Certainly there is some of that (just as there is in any 30 seconds of an NBA game) but they serve a more strategic purpose.
First of all, soccer is a sport that relies on just one on field referee (the assistant judges on the lines don't get to call on-field fouls; just off sides and possession). This means that frequently he is out of position and could be 50 feet or more away from the action when play is moving fast. So when illegal contact happens you want to make sure that guy way over there sees it. I don't know about other people but I was trained to overreact to contact once possession was lost anyway.
And in a sport that doesn't stop being "hurt" for 30 seconds is frequently much appreciated by everybody.
I forgot to watch the game and turned it on in time to see the medal distribution so I can't comment on the specific plays but in general the things you complain about are just part of soccer. It is like complaining about intentional delays of game at the end of a basketball game. You can, and technically you have a point but that's just the way it is.
|