SUITA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 14: Mu Kanazaki of Kashima Antlers runs with the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup Japan semi-final match between Atletico Nacional and Kashima Antlers at Suita City Football Stadium on December 14, 2016 in Suita, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
Japan’s Kashima Antlers defeated Atletico Nacional 3-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals in Suita, Japan, on Wednesday, their first goal coming on a penalty awarded after video replay, the first-ever such penalty in FIFA history.
Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai stopped the game in the 32nd minute after Kashima midfielder Gaku Shibasaki sent in a free kick, and teammate Daigo Nishi was fouled inside the box by Atletico forward Orlando Berrio.
Kassai’s assistant alerted him of the incident, and the referee walked to the sidelines to get another look at the play on a monitor. He then signaled for Kashima to take the penalty.
Shoma Doi converted for 1-0.
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“It did stop the flow of the game,” Kashima coach Masatada Ishii said. “But if they make a clear judgment using video assistant referees (VARs) then that is a good thing. Of course, if they use it many times during a game then that is something we need to think about.”
“In the first half Berrio collided with a player,” Atletico coach Reinaldo Rueda said afterward. “It was not intentional and the player did fall and that led to their first goal. Because of that, our discipline was disturbed. Normally, we can maintain our discipline.”
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