Kyrgyzstan score first goal in their history

Wednesday, February 1st -  Kyrgyzstan score first goal in their history
The day begins earlier than anticipated, for I have later afternoon game, but can not sleep past 07:00. It is just starting to brighten in the eastern ridge of the Tang Shan mountain range, and we are blessed with clear skys revealing the fresh snow capped peaks anchoring the south of the city.

Sunrise over Almaty

I spend some time with a video skype to my mother this morning, and it is really great to be able to see and speak over such great distance and time zones. I also see my friend, David is online in San Francisco, so I skype him as well. It is with great joy, that I find him with his wife, Florentina, and daughter, Davia sitting at their dinner table. It has been far too long since we have seen eachother. Davia, now sixteen, was just an infant the last time that I was in The City.
As the morning progresses, the air begins to thicken, and the mountains become shrouded in the thick air of the city. It is no wonder that the airlines schedule their landings for the middle of the night to avoid the obscured visibility.

Gratuitous Vito photo for AJ

Kazakh Real World 4WD SUV-not for suburbia

With the late morning and early afternoon free, my Russian referee friend, Andrei, and I venture out for some shopping. He needs to purchase a camera for a friend of his birthday. So we head out into the city. We visit an electronics shop, but the selection is poor, and the shop keeper indicates that there is a ZUM department store on the Arbat (pedestrian mall) where we can find all that our hearts desire. It is true, for as we enter the door, we are confronted by electronics as far as the eye can see, with series of small counters with display cases chock full of every electronic device and accessory imaginable. This is not a place with selective competition, it is full on capitalist endeavor. Andrei, inquires at a few counters, and ends at one, where he begins his negotiations. He indicates that the prices are much better than in Moscow, and he is prepared to walk away from purchasing the Cannon A800 for T19,000 (US$127.), when reviews the Kazakhstan Tenge in hand that totals only T17,700 (US$118.) the shop keepers make the deal, rather than see the customer walk away. As a comparison, such a consumer item could be purchased at Best Buy for US$86 (w/ tax). It does go to show how expensive cities such as Moscow can be, when these prices here in Almaty, Kazakhstan are much lower than an expensive city such as Moscow.
We continue to wander the ZUM department store for a little while, then we must return to the hotel, for Andrei has transport to the Medeo Stadium at 14:00 for the USA vs Sweden game, and my transport is schedule for 15:00 to Central for the  Kyrgyzstan vs Estonia match. I take the extra hour enjoy the sunshine and walk thru the Park to the 28 Heroes, and visit the Cathedral.

Cathedral interior

Cathedral exterior with child on sled

28 Heroes Monument 

At 14:58, our referee crew meet in the hotel lobby for the short drive to the stadium. I am looking forward to working with Finland head referee, and the rest of the Russian crew. Upon arrival at stadium, we sit down in the referee locker room, and the HR goes thru his pre-game. He outlines all the game situations, and how he expects our crew to work the game. Positions for restarts on free strokes; cautions for encroaching the distance for restarts; breaking up any fighting; end line whistling for corners; responsibilities for eachothers side of the penalty area to award a penalty shot; offside line; ball out of bounds at side line; and constant eye contact.
We then walk out to the rink where the previous game is into the second half, to review the condition of the rink. We have been informed that there is a problem with the refrigeration, and the side boards have had to be moved in a few meters due to some holes in the ice. The rink started at 96 meters by 66 meters (315 feet x  217 feet), but has been reduced by 6 meters (20 feet). There have been two areas where the under ice coils have sprung leaks creating holes in the ice. It is approved for the competition today, and maybe will be fixed before tomorrows games.
The game goes as expected and Estonia go out to an early lead, for  Kyrgyzstan  are playing in their first tournament, and they have yet to score a goal.
The game is going well, and the temperatures are quite warm, about -10C (14F) at the start of the game. The sun is beginning to set in the west, and is shining in my eyes both directly, and reflecting off of the ice. It really is no problem, for it is similar to the late fall/summer games on the soccer pitch. In the second half there is a stretch of five minutes, where I must call the Estonian players offside on four or five occasions; which includes waving off three goals. I remind the referee over our two-way radio system that we are in the final minute (only 60 minute games in Group C, rather than typical game of 90 minutes). In the next sequence, three  Kyrgyz players break away toward the Estonian goal with the ball. They score their Federations first International goal in the dying seconds of the match, to great celebrations by all involved. This makes the second day in a row, where historic first goals have been scored in my matches. Truely enjoyable to be a part of the experienc and have a very brief post-game assessment of our match with Russian supervisor. Afterward, our three-man crew retire to the sauna for five or ten minutes, where my Finish colleague is able to give me some more information on my performance. It is from these post-match conversations that we learn, no matter the level of our experience. We then  board the mini-bus back to the hotel, which takes us into rush-hour traffic jamb (it is 6:30 PM local time). What was a 15-20 minute drive to the Central stadium takes 45-50 minutes on return.
A wonderful selection on the dinner buffet includes the beef stroganoff, and the manti (Kazakh meat dumpling). I meet up with USA referee team mates at dinner and we share some of our game day experiences at the rink.
Now, I've been in my room writing todays entry, and it is 22:00. In thirty minutes all the referees and supervisors will meet downstairs in the conference room to review the days games briefly, and recieve the assignments for Friday. Typically the day off before the Semi-Finals and Qualification games - however, this year there are two B-Pool games on the schedule, so many of us will have the day free. Saturday will be the Semi-Finals for the A-Pool; the B-Pool games for 2nd and 3rd Place; and C-Pool game for 2nd place. This year there will be direct promotion / relegation between the three groups. I do not think this is such a good idea, for example, the game between A6 and B1 has generally been an intense game for inclusion in the next tournaments A-Pool. This game has historically been fiercely contested recently between Belarus and USA. This year, both teams have clearly been firmly in their groups position, and would set up a very good competition which all of the players desire. Instead both teams will be without any final fixture in the competition. In additon the fifth place team in the A-Pool go without a final game (only the game for 3rd place and the Final remain for Sunday).

Q: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner?

A: Dinner: beef stroganoff and manti (dumplings)

Tomorrow may be a day for exploring this city, and shopping for souvineers and gifts, depending upon the upcoming assignments.
Meeting concludes at 23:00, discussion in my room until 00:30. Kevin and Eric have transport at 08:00 to Central stadium, I follow at 10:00. Evening game is the last group stage featuring Sweden vs Russia, which is 'almost' always an epic battle to determine the #1 seed for the Semi-Finals. Eric will make his way up to the mountain stadium, while Kevin, our Russian crew and I will arrange direct transport to Medeo after our 16:30 C-Pool match (Japan vs  Kyrgyzstan).

What I'm drinking: 0.44L unfiltered wheat beer (nod to Soccer Boy)