By Sean Connor

After the soccer drought I watched the two quarter finals earlier this week: Brazil, five time winners, lost to Holland. A bit of an upset. Suited me as I had $10 on Holland to win the cup.

Ghana, Africa's last hope, unfortunately, lost to Uruguay in an unbelievable finish. The penalty shoot-out started before the end of the game.

So how about some thoughts on the England v Germany games now and then?

In 1966 I watched the England v Germany World Cup Final at the Victory Cinema, Orange Grove, Johannesburg. Of course this was a replay of the actual game that had taken place several days before. In those days the common people were not allowed access to television as it would perhaps corrupt them in some way. In that game the turning point was a disputed goal awarded to England when a shot from one of the English forwards hit the underside of the bar, hit the ground and came back into play. Did the whole ball cross the line? A goal was awarded with the help of a linesman. England went on to win 4-2.

That particular linesman was a Russian. You must remember at that time it was West Germany (there was also an East Germany) that was playing England. East Germany was a Russian satellite. The Russian linesman was certainly no friend of Germany. Political overtones?

All of England plus the Commonwealth supported the decision. The rest of the world did not.

Now back to England v Germany in South Africa 2010…

Germany is leading 2-1. Lambert ‘scores' off the underside of the crossbar .This time only the linesman and the referee thought it was not a goal and the rest of the world thought it was a goal. However, the referee is always right even when he is wrong. Retribution for Germany?

Before Germany scored its other two goals, Lambert struck the German crossbar and minutes later forced the German keeper to make a great save with another powerful shot. It definitely was Germany's time to win. Final score Germany 4 England 1. Nevertheless, an unbelievable decision changed the course of this game.

FIFA officials are now talking about introducing technology to assist referees in making the correct call as far as disputed goals are concerned.

I do not think technology is the answer. Controversy is part of soccer. The introduction of technology would only dehumanise the game.

What about better referees?