The biggest debates/discussions/arguments that a sports fan has is when someone puts in a situation with the ever so notorious ‘What if…’. What if it had not been an offiside? What if he had not been wrongly given out? What if that catch wasn’t dropped? What if the penalty wasn’t awarded? It’s always been there and it will always will there.
So here’s a look back at the sporting week with few of those very ‘What Ifs’ inserted.
1. What if Brendon McCullum wasn’t dropped–
Brendon McCullum played one of the best innings in test cricket in a long time scoring a maiden triple-century to save the 2nd test match against India. But enroute to his triple century luck was on his side as he was dropped twice even before completing his half-century. Brendon was dropped by Virat Kohli with just 9 runs against his name. This was soon followed by another dropped catch by Ishant Sharma at the score of 36. An Indian win looked imminent till day-4 of the test match. But those two dropped chances presented a huge ‘What if’ in the minds of many Indian fans, who are desperate to see their side win a test match away from home and their frustration lives on.
2. What if the referee decided differently –
Both the major games at the Champions League this mid-week saw a red card changing the course of the game with the game tied at 0-0 up until that stage. Though there were allegations that Arjen Robben dived and exaggerated the tackle by the Arsenal goalkeeper but then that is football. Though David Alaba missed the subsequent penalty from that tackle but playing against the European champions for over an hour is not a serene situation for any side. In the City-Barca clash, not only did Demichelis get the red and Lionel Messi slot the following penalty but the foul seemed to have taken place outside the box. City manager Pelligrini also got fined for his outrage and remarks towards the referee in his post-match interview and it all leaves a huge ‘What if’ among everyone wondering what a 11-on-11 match would’ve resulted in.
3. Had Arsenal taken the early lead –
Mesut Ozil had the chance to put Arsenal ahead via a penalty awarded thanks to Boateng’s tackle within the first 10-mins of the match. Be it Ozil’s tame effort or Manuel Neuer’s good strong hand to the shot, the goal was demurred. If there was one thing that would really help Arsenal to overcome the near-to-impossible test named Bayern Munich then it’d have been an early goal giving them a head start to build upon. ‘What if’ that penalty went in, ‘What if’ Arsenal’s confidence had escalated rather than heads going down, ‘What if’ Arsenal had got a goal instead of going to Munich with a 0-2 deficit, these questions shall remain unanswered.
