Back in 1983, I was lucky enough to play in an exhibition match where the star of the show was the late great George Best. With about ten minutes to go, a ball was played over the top to Best, who was clearly offside, and was flagged so by the linesman. The referee, aware of who the crowd that night had come to see, let play continue and Best confronted the opposition keeper, flicked the ball over his head, ran round him and volleyed it into the net. The crowd left happy, thanks to a forward-thinking referee.
Tonight, I watched as referee Ben Williams forgot to think about the responsibilities he has to one of the blockbuster games on the A-League calendar. Yet despite a terrible officiating performance from one of the most highly regarded officials in this country, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar put on a game for the ages, one of the best matches in A-League history, especially in the first half.
It must be galling for Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic to know that impulsive officiating cost his team the chance to end the Roar’s unbeaten run. Losing goalkeeper Ante Covic in the first minute to an admittedly deserved red card, and then going behind to the resultant Henrique penalty, the Victory rallied wonderfully. Archie Thompson was outstanding, as was Harry Kewell.
The moment Matthew Foschini was ridiculously given a straight red card by Williams in the 33rd minute for a challenge that deserved a yellow and no more, the game changed from an explosive end-to-end thriller to a cat-and-mouse contest in which the Roar failed to find a way around, over or through a magnificently organised Victory defence. The recently maligned Durakovic deserves as much credit as his exhausted troops, for managing his second half structure and substitutions perfectly. After the game, he echoed the sentiments of many when he called the Foschini red card decision unacceptable, and commented that a 25,000 person crowd had turned up for a contest that was ultimately spoiled.
The Brisbane Roar moved the ball as slickly as usual in the second half and the Victory had no choice but to defend deeply. In a way, they may have given future opponents of the Roar some ideas about how best to combat this phenomenon of the domestic game. However, the Roar were off their game at times tonight, though every credit needs to be given to the Victory nine for that. Sometimes, it is easier playing against eleven players because the mindset has not been decided by a circumstance beyond their control.
What should be remembered is that the Victory attacked Brisbane prior to the second red card and looked every inch a likely winner as a result. The partnership of Kewell and Thompson threatened constantly. Perhaps the Roar can be undone by a speedy striker with a classy partner who has the vision to play the early and direct ball behind a pressing defence. All A-League strikers should hereforth be sent to sprint training and “parking the bus” shouldn’t be considered.
All A-League referees meanwhile, should learn what that ref back in 1983 knew: the crowd comes to see the players.
clayts
Guest
you clearly aren't a fan of football as you don't know the rules. Or you're a troll. The red card you're referring to was as clear cut as you will see. Think you will find I said earlier that Foschini should NOT appeal. Was never going to get his card rescinded as he broke the rules. A studs up challenge invites a red card. Like it or not
Roger
Guest
Rellum, I'm also for the A-League refereeing being more in step with the rest of the world. But let's be consistent shall we?
Roon
Guest
Covic and Foschini ruined that game for the spectators, the viewers and Brisbane. Because of the actions of those two, Roar were robbed of an open game and certain three points. The referee called it as he saw it - and until there is a video referee who can adjudicate on close calls, he makes the call. If Covic and Foschini aren't to blame, then it falls to their tactician and coaching staff. Hello, Kevin???
Bondy
Guest
There was a excellent piece in the D Telegraph about Ali Abbas . I have to share with those who may have missed it . http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/jet-powered-career/story-e6frexni-1226186272760
Griffo
Roar Guru
You hear Ali's story a bit in Newcastle from time to time, but each time you get more details of his young life: like that his $200k Asian Cup winnings (known) that he wanted to use for his family's new home (known) was a taget of extortion (not known). By all accounts he is a bit of a character and he is a great addition to Newcastle and Australia. Seems like his citizenship is moving forward, as the following is an Official Jets Announcement from the club: -- OFFICIAL JETS ANNOUNCEMENT BRIDGES SIGNS BACK ON The Newcastle Jets have today signed Michael Bridges for the remainder of the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season. Bridges played two seasons with the Jets and captained the team last year before a knee injury forced him to retire in April 2011. The English striker was disappointed injury forced his retirement but accepted the invitation to resume training with the team eight weeks ago. It become a reality for the Jets to sign Bridges after Ali Abbas was recently issued a dispensation from the FFA to become a squad member rather than one of the Club’s visa players. “I still feel like I have something to offer and after a rest, the body is feeling great,” Bridges said today. “I have had an eight week trial to see how the body held up and then had to show Gary (van Egmond) over the last two weeks that I was still up to it. “It has been great to see what happens off the field through my role at the Club, but you are a long time retired and I am just so excited to get another chance to play for the Jets. “Whatever role is required of me, I am just happy to be a part of the team and I will contribute in whatever way I can.” Jets coach Gary van Egmond is delighted to welcome Bridges back to the Jets --
Dobetter
Guest
What controvesy? Two red cards for two red card offenses. Don't blame the referee for the rules and don't blame him for choices the players take. Forschini leaves the ground and goes in studs up. Red. Next.
Rellum
Roar Guru
In Seria And La Lega that was a Red. I am all for any lunging studs up challenges to be red carded.Maybe a few more games with team ending with 9 men will finally rid us of the hack mentality that still thrives in the league.
Roger
Guest
Firstly, that's not a red all over the world. Even in the EPL and other European leagues, I reckon that tackle would have been a yellow 7/10 times. Secondly, we know in the A-League that the refs DON'T award cards the same way that the rest of the world does. We saw the exact same tackle by a BR player against a MV in the same game. No card... of any colour. Consistency is King. Thirdly, I saw the Sydney vs. GCU game, and I saw two Kung Fu kicks on the 14th and 19th minutes (high boots, studs making full and forced contact with bodies) by both Syd and GCU players. A free kick and a yellow card were awarded. I have nothing against the A-League becoming more in-tune with the rest of the world, but I do have an issue with the extreme inconsistencies - as we saw over the weekend.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Christ people, think referees just grow on trees? They're made, not born, and we've only got the local talent. We can't get foreign imports for refereeing, you can't send promising candidates to the European leagues for experience. Its worth considering that Australian refereeing is only in the embryonic stages of development after the SA->FFA changeover. The explosion and development since then has been huge; there are now at least four times as many referees in WA as there was under the old regime, for example. But it takes years and years to make a good referee.
Nelson
Guest
The two most controversial incidents aside, the refereeing was poor all-around and very one-sided at Etihad on Saturday night. Carlos Hernandez, very soft yellow. Carlos taken out from behind, not even a free kick, whilst Diogo Ferriera does the same thing and gets a yellow. Harry Kewell called for offside when he was -backing into a defender- what the heck?? Kewell receives a shirt tug stronger than that of Leijer on Broich, no free kick. Broich's ballerina twirl no doubt helped Ben Williams with that one. Ben Williams calling a goal kick after Archie dribbled along the goal line, kicked the ball into the Roar player who knocked it over the line - I could see that one from Level 3 at the opposite end of the ground. And these are only the ones that stick in my memory.
Bondy
Guest
This story was in the Sydney press in Sydney on the weekend about Newcastle Jets wunderkid Ali Abbas for those out of state i must put it up .Apaway i apoligise for not going with the theme but some may have not known Ali's story . http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/jet-powered-career/story-e6frexni-1226186272760 .
Roger
Guest
* made the
Roger
Guest
Agree Foschini was stupid for making that sort of tackle, but it wasnt a red by A-League standards, and it was highly inconsistent with other decisions. Including decisions in the same match, where a Brisbane player mqdevthe exact same tackle on a Melbourne player. No yellow even, just a free kick.
Roger
Guest
"but to suggest that there has been “at least 4 times where studs have been shown to Victory players..” is over the top. You could replace “Victory” in that sentence with any of the other 9 teams in the league, including (and most likely, especially) Brisbane." Agreed, and you will note in the preceding sentence that I said "I can't comment on all the games", because I haven't seen them. Also agree that showing studs is at least a yellow. But why, why, be so inconsistent about it? Yesterday afternoon I saw two far worse challenges of studs (I.e. high boots) smacking into the bodies of other players. In the 14th minute it was a GCU foul, and in the 19th minute it was a Sydney FC foul. Kung Fu kicking is far worse than a sliding tackle, yet we saw a free kick and a yellow resulting from the two fouls So exchange your comment on Foschini's red card from 'a little harsh' to 'way too harsh', and I reckon we're on the same page. In re to Leijer being lucky regarding the tug of the shirt, I thought Brisbane were lucky not to concede a free kick following the blatant foul on Kewelljust outside the box. In re to Foschini's first misdemeanour, you know as well as I that the A-Leagur refs will give players a chance or two before showing cards. And again, if not, and they book them straight away, fine - but be consistent!!!!!!
Johnno
Guest
If only Grahame Poll knew the title of this article before the soccer world cup 2006.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
The first red card was a given, I was referring to the 2nd red card which 99% of Australia thought was a bit harsh, especially since it was his first foul of the night. Doesn't matter - the referees decisions are never reversed and it contributed to a great match in some strange way anyway. Look forward to when SFC and MV play Roar next - you mightn't be so confident after that.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Correction, that should be equal Eastern Suburbs record of 34 games unbeaten. They can break the record the following weekend against NJ at Ausgrid stadium. Can they make it 35 in a row unbeaten?
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Well said KWB, the A-League is indeed on the up and the standard rising. We had two "best games of the season" this weekend with MV v Roar and SFC v GCU and more "best games of the season" to come next weekend. Fantastic stuff! Congratulations to the Roar on their great achievement of equalling the Australasian premier grade winning streak record in any code. You can rest assured every A-League fan will be cheering you on when you break the Easter Suburbs Rugby League unbeaten run record next week. Hopefully its just a draw against the Nix and you give us all a chance to catch up to you before the finals. Well done Brisbane for your great efforts, to Ange the great manager and coaching staff and to their efforts in lifting the standard of Australian football and the Socceroos chances of progressing to the latter rounds of the FIFA WC finals one day.
Kent Wesley Bowker
Guest
whoops sorry I replied to wrong comment. Sorry dude I hope I didn't upset u. Kiss it better.
Kent Wesley Bowker
Guest
Really wow I've watched it a few times now how could u disagree with the first red ( unless u have a massive hard on for the Victory). Not only a really bad tackle keep in mind that Berisha could of scored if not tackled. I love how he flew through the air he looked like a swordfish jumping out of the water. Funny. Its amazing that no one has been upset that Victory made bad tackles in places u don't want to make bad tackles. Red cards or not Roar got both goals from the tackles. Even if they were a yellow still would of happened. My guess is that some Victory fans will blame the blades of grass not standing right before they negatively critque their team.