It has become a familiar scene at World Cup games. The referee blows his whistle to stop the game 22 minutes into each half to allow players to rehydrate.
The mandatory three-minute drinks break at all 104 games has been introduced to help players tackle stifling heat and humidity levels in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
But not everyone is impressed.
Some have described the breaks as commercial interruptions to appease US broadcasters.
Hydration breaks even take place at grounds with retractable roofs with interior climate control.
Asked about the stop in play in each half of every match, Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of co-hosts USA, said: “I don’t like it. I only like it when the conditions are extreme.
“But when the conditions are good, it is unnecessary.”
So, who are the winners and the losers of the World Cup hydration breaks? And how have they affected the opening games?
When Brazil’s players took on water midway through the first half at the New Jersey New York Stadium on Saturday, they deservedly trailed Morocco 1-0 after a lacklustre start.
Six minutes after play resumed they were level.
Yes, it was down to a moment of individual brilliance by Vinicius Jr after he cut back inside on to his right foot before lashing a brilliant strike into the roof of the net.
But as Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged afterwards, the hydration break enabled him to deliver fresh instructions to his players and tweak the system.
Having been second best, the five-time world champions suddenly had momentum.
“You can explain a problem to the players,” the Italian coach said afterwards when asked what benefits could be achieved in the breaks.
“[You can] make a tactical adjustment that can be very good.”
If hydration breaks are to help player welfare, should managers even be allowed to deliver fresh instructions?
United States women’s boss Emma Hayes, speaking to ITV Sport, explained that stopping play for a break killed momentum for the team on top.
“It’s advantageous for the team losing momentum – that’s why I call them momentum breaks,” she said.
‘Another way of getting adverts into it’
Former Arsenal and England forward Ian Wright made it clear where he stood on the breaks.
“I just think it’s another way of getting adverts into it from an American point of view,” he said.
US broadcaster Fox US overran adverts, external during a hydration break in the opening match of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa.
“They’ve used the fact that it’s for the players, but it’s not for me,” added Wright.
While the breaks have their detractors, there are others who believe they are a positive introduction.
Credit: bbc.com
