World Cup tidbits

Teacher Referee

Ben Williams sacrificed his salary as a teacher for six months in order to prepare for the World Cup, and on Sunday it paid off. Williams became the first Australian referee to control a second-round match at a World Cup during the game between Costa Rica and Greece.

The 37-year-old teacher at a government school in Canberra also handled two group matches in Brazil. He said he didn't mind taking unpaid leave from his day job to chase his dream.