2 May 2004(Sun)

A German sports journalist once said that FIFA president Sepp Blatter had 50 new ideas every day.

And 51 of them were bad!

This thought came to mind the other day when I read that Blatter was saying that draws should be abolished in all games.

Every game needs a winner and a loser, was Blatter's comment, and why should soccer be any different?

If the score is level after 90 minutes, the result should be decided by a penalty shootout, added the FIFA chief.

Do you agree with him?

Do you think every game needs a winner and a loser?

I must admit I was amazed when I read Blatter's new idea, because surely the draw is part and parcel of the game worldwide.

The J.League did not allow draws for several seasons, as matches were decided in sudden-death extra time and then on penalties.

First, penalties were scrapped. Then extra time, and now the J.League swims in the mainstream of the game by awarding both teams one point for a draw after 90 minutes.

Personally, I think draws can be just exciting and tense as wins....and as important.

Was not "Japan 2 Iraq 2" in Doha '93 quite a dramatic and significant result?

Closer to home, was not "Urawa Reds 2 Kashima Antlers 2" a vital result at the end of last season?

And how Jubilo Iwata would have loved to hang on for a 1-1 draw at Yokohama on the same afternoon?

That would have given Jubilo the second-stage championship, but Kubo spoiled all that with his late header.

In cup competitions, matches need a winner, hence the extra time, golden goal, silver goal and penalties. FIFA will, however, stop the golden and silver goal, and allow the full 30 minutes of extra time to be played, followed by a shootout.

Let's hope Blatter's idea was not serious, otherwise football will become more defensive as teams try to play for a penalty shootout.

ends