Flanders

Frank De Bleeckere of Belgium will work the middle of the U.S.-Algeria Group C World Cup match on Wednesday.

De Bleeckere certainly has to be an upgrade over Koman Coulibaly of Mali, who called back an apparent winning goal by the Americans in what turned out to be a 2-2 draw with Slovenia Friday. Mali has no high-level professional league in which game officials can hone their skills while De Bleeckere

Coulibaly, who was the fourth official of Brazil's 3-1 win over Ivory Coast Sunday night, did not receive any assignments for matches 33 through 40.

Bleeckere, who turns 44 on July 1 (this will be his final World Cup since FIFA refs cannot work past 45), worked the Euro 2008 semifinal between Spain and Russia and the UEFA Champions League semifinal between Barcelona and Inter Milan.

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