Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuala Lumpur: The sizable contingent of Asian match officials selected for the Men's and Women's Football Tournaments at the 2012 London Olympic Games reflects the trust FIFA has in the high standards of refereeing in Asia, AFC Director of Referees Yoshimi Ogawa has said.
"The AFC is very proud of the match officials chosen and we thank FIFA for the honour and trust given to Asian referees," Ogawa told www.the-afc.com after the completion of the first round of Group Stage matches.
"Three men's and two women's referee trios were selected, which coincidently mirrors the number of Asian teams in the tournament, and we believe that all the officials chosen will put in a good performance throughout the competition."
A total of 15 of the continent's best match officials have been selected, with three-time AFC Women's Referee of the Year Sachiko Yamagishi entrusted with handling the opening day match between three-time gold medallists USA and France, which ended 4-2 in favour of the Americans.
Yamagishi was assisted by Japanese compatriot Saori Takahashi and Malaysia's Widiya Shamsuri while Hong Eun-ah from Korea Republic was the fourth official.
In what is another feather in the cap of Asian refereeing four-time AFC Referee of the Year Ravshan Irmatov took charge of one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the Men's Tournament on Thursday when host nation Great Britain kicked-off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Senegal, 2-0 conquerors of Oman in AFC-CAF qualifying playoff.
The vastly experienced Uzbek – who also took charge of the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup between South Africa and Mexico s well as the final of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup when Japan defeated Australia for a record fourth title – was assisted by countryman Abdukhamidullo Rasulov and Kyrgyzstan's Bakhadyr Kochkarov while Ben Williams of Australia is the fourth official.
"The AFC is extremely proud that Ravshan has been appointed to officiate in the first game involving the host nation and that Sachiko was also appointed to officiate another high profile game (USA vs France) on the opening day," Ogawa stated.
Asia's officials are in action again on Saturday and again they will be involved in a match featuring the host nation with referee Hong Eun-ah, who will have Korea Republic compatriot Kim Kyoung-min and 2011 AFC Women's Assistant Referee of the Year Sarah Ho running the lines in the Group E match between the women's teams of Great Britain and Cameroon.