What action should be taken if Player A2 is fouled by Player B3 during an obvious goal-scoring opportunity?

When a player is fouled during an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the rules of soccer dictate that the fouling player should be penalized harshly to deter such fouls. In this scenario, if Player A2 is fouled by Player B3 while in a position to score a goal, the correct action is to award a direct free kick to Team A and disqualify Player B3 for committing a serious foul.

Disqualification, or a red card, is given because the foul occurred in a critical scoring situation. The intent behind this ruling is to maintain the integrity of the game and to discourage dangerous play that undermines the ability of the opposing team to score. A penalty kick would only be awarded if the foul occurred inside the penalty area, and thus the action of awarding a direct kick and disqualifying the player is more appropriate in cases where the foul does not take place in that specific zone but nevertheless stops a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

This ruling is vital for promoting fair play and ensuring that players are held accountable for actions that could prevent a legitimate scoring chance.