Thrilling finishes, goalie heroics and a Sky Blue derby: The A-League players who were the difference in Round 24
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat faces a possible suspension after being cited for comments following the controversial 2-0 loss to Melbourne City in the FFA Cup semi-final.
Muscat was furious that Tuesday night’s opening goal to City’s Luke Brattan was allowed to stand, despite Tim Cahill being in an offside position and being forced to duck out of the way of the powerful shot.
Muscat also said City’s players were guilty of “lots of rolling around and lots of diving” and slowing the restart of play.
He went on to claim that referees were using “two sets of rules” and exclaimed that “at least the FFA gets the result they want” as he exited the post-match media conference.
Muscat will be required to provide a submission by 1700 on Thursday.
If found guilty of breaching the FFA’s code of conduct, he could be suspended, reprimanded or fined.
For the second time in 10 days, it was City who had the better of their cross-town rivals.
But for the first time in their October tangles, it was a contested result, and one that Muscat couldn’t accept.
Brattan’s first-half strike was initially disallowed by a linesman who flagged for offside, only for referee Shaun Evans to award the goal, setting off Muscat.
“Timmy has to get out of the way – otherwise it’s going to hit him … if you have to get out of the way of the ball travelling towards the goal, I’d suggest you’re obstructing the keeper,” he said.
“I can’t see how there’s any other explanation.”
Evans told Fox Sports after the game that Cahill “didn’t interfere with the goalkeeper’s movement” so there was no reason to overrule.
Deepening Muscat’s disgust, Marco Rojas’ second-half goal was chalked off for what Muscat said was the same issue – Besart Berisha appearing to stray marginally offside before the Kiwi headed home.
“There’s a contradiction here. They’re both exactly the same because (City goalkeeper) Dean Bouzanis can’t move until he realises Bes is not going to touch the ball,” said the Victory coach.
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