Dutch coach criticises referee Webb

| Tuesday July 13, 2010 00:00

The match was marred by constant foul play which led Webb to book 13 players including the dismissal of Dutchman Johnny Heitinga for two yellow cards.

'I don't think the referee controlled the match well,' said Van Marwijk. Both sides committed fouls. That may be regrettable for a final. But the best team won the match.' Webb, 38, was booed by the Dutch supporters as he and his assistants went to collect their medals at the end of what was an extremely challenging match for the official, in which he produced a new record number of bookings for a World Cup final and was forced to deal with a series of major incidents.

Nine of the bookings went to players from the Netherlands, who were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men in the first half when midfielder Nigel de Jong landed a boot in the chest of Spanish counterpart Xabi Alonso and in many cases Webb was left with little choice but to caution players for overly-aggressive challenges.

With the teams facing a penalty shoot-out as the game was drawing to a close, Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta smashed in a half-volley - which ultimately won the game for Spain - leaving the Dutch incensed after Webb had failed to award their side a corner moments earlier when a Wesley Sneijder free-kick took a deflection off Cesc Fabregas. Meanwhile, Uruguay striker, Diego Forlan has won the FIFA Golden Ball award for the top player of the 2010 World Cup after inspiring his country to its best performance at the global showpiece in 40 years.

Forlan, who plays for Spanish club Atletico Madrid, scored five goals as Uruguay reached the semifinals in South Africa. The 1930 and 1950 World Cup winners finished in fourth place after losing Saturday's playoff against Germany. Forlan polled 23.4 percent of votes cast by journalists covering the World Cup, to finish ahead of Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder (21.8 percent) and Spain striker David Villa (16.9%).

'It's as great as it is unexpected,' Forlan told governing body FIFA's website, revealing that his teammates reacted to his award by throwing him in the hotel swimming pool. Thomas Muller claimed the Golden Boot award because he racked up a higher number of assists (three) than the others. Muller, 20, who was instrumental in Germany's 4-1 demolition of England and the 4-0 thrashing of Argentina, was also voted the tournament's best young player. Spain flew home yesterday with the FIFA Fair Play Award after collecting only eight yellow cards in the tournament. Spain's Iker Casillas was awarded the Golden Glove prize for the best goalkeeper after conceding just two goals in the tournament. (BBC, CNN)