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The Roar

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Berisha targeted: Roar coach

28th March, 2014
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Unhappy Brisbane coach Mike Mulvey fears Besart Berisha is being targeted by officials after the star striker was sent off for a record third time this A-League season in the Roar’s gutsy 2-1 win over the Melbourne Heart.

Berisha faces another week on the sidelines for the minor premiers after being marched on Friday night for sliding into the head of Heart ‘keeper Tando Velaphi in the 49th minute.

However, Berisha appeared unlucky after replays showed his boots rolled off the ball before crashing into Velaphi’s face as they both slid into the contest.

“I think it was a wrong decision,” Mulvey said.

“It is like flavour of the month at the moment – ‘Look there’s Bes, let’s give him a red card’.”

Berisha was inconsolable after referee Chris Beath’s verdict, slumping to the ground for minutes before leaving the field in tears.

He had only just returned from his one match ban for his send-off in Brisbane’s 1-1 draw with Sydney FC on March 14.

Asked if Berisha’s reputation preceded him, Mulvey said: “You know the answer to that question – I don’t have to tell you that.

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“We will appeal this.

“In fact I don’t think we have to appeal it. I think they (officials) will have a look at it and say ‘hang on a minute this is not the right decision’ – that’s my personal opinion.”

Mulvey said Berisha was distraught.

“(And) he has every right to be. He feels like the whole world is against him right now,” he said.

Even Heart coach John van ‘t Schip could empathise with Berisha.

“I think it was not on purpose. He’s very unlucky but he maybe has to be a bit more careful,” he said.

“It’s not the first time, of course.”

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Van ‘t Schip said Velaphi had escaped from the incident with marks on his face.

Brisbane looked down and out when Berisha was marched but Henrique stood tall to knock in a Matt McKay cross in the 73rd minute and bring the 10,101-strong crowd to their feet.

The gutsy win ended Heart’s mathematical chance of making the A-League finals.

Brisbane appeared to be behind the eight ball from the outset when Mulvey put a line through the names of man of the moment Luke Brattan (hip) and Socceroos defender Ivan Franjic (ankle).

Brattan finally succumbed to injury after his stoppage time thunderbolt sealed a last round 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory that clinched Brisbane the Premiers Plate.

Yet Brisbane are now on a five-game unbeaten run and in ominous form as they look to add to their two championship titles.

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