y old computer has a fun little soccer game on it, with an interesting quirk that I occasionally get a kick out of.

Like just about every computer sports game, this soccer game has referees who don't call the game strictly by the book. Obvious bad tackles go unpunished, and the linesmen occasionally flub an offside or two. It gives the commentator something to say: "That's a terrible tackle" or "And that's not offside!" or "Where did they find this ref?"

The quirk I find fascinating is the phantom goal. I don't know if it's a mistake in the program or if it's intentional, but there will occasionally be a shot that drifts high and wide of the net. The commentator screams "It's in!" The players do their in-the-corner jiggy dance celebration, and the the other team looks all despondent-like. Even the slow-motion instant replay — from every angle — shows the ball sailing wide of the net.

But the goal goes up anyway.

Continued...