Coach Tony Popovic has teed off at A-League Men officials over a missed foul he believed “cost” Melbourne Victory three points in their dramatic 2-2 draw with Sydney FC.
Sky Blues striker Bobo headed home an 81st-minute equaliser to earn a point at AAMI Park but Popovic was incensed a corner was even awarded.
Popovic believed Alireza Faghani should have awarded Leigh Broxham a free kick due to a high boot from Sydney’s Elvis Kamsoba before the ball went out.
“The way it finished in the end leaves a sour taste. We hit the lead and it never should have been a corner in that situation,” Popovic, who received a yellow card after remonstrating with Faghani after the goal, said.
“The simplest decision of the night, the referee and the linesman between the two of them couldn’t make a very, very basic, simple decision.
“I wanted the ref (Faghani) to come over, actually. I actually wanted him to come to me. It’s a clear, clear foul.
“We had a player here (Rai Marchan against Perth) sent off for a very similar challenge. So if you don’t deem it as a yellow or red card, it’s a foul. It’s a clear foul.
“That linesman on our side was constantly lifting his flag for a foul he thought the referee didn’t see and he thought ‘okay, I’ll help you out, this is a foul.’
“On that occasion, between the two of them they can’t see that it’s a clear foul.The simplest decision of the night, and it cost us.”
Meanwhile Popovic said Marchan could be “out for a while” after he was stretchered off in the 64th minute, then later taken to hospital, after a nasty aerial head clash with teammate Jason Geria.
Popovic said concerns over Marchan weren’t just concussion but the “heavy” and “serious contact” in the collision, conceding the midfielder could have suffered facial fractures.
Earlier, Ben Folami put the league leaders in front in the 17th minute only for Milos Ninkovic to reply in the 37th.
Robbie Kruse tapped home the would-be winner in the 77th before Bobo grabbed Sydney a point, extending their unbeaten run against Victory to nine games.
Sydney were without Socceroos Andrew Redmayne, Rhyan Grant and Joel King, while Victory missed centre-backs Roderick Miranda, Brendan Hamill and Matthew Spiranovic.
“I was pleased with the character they showed to come back twice,” Sydney coach Steve Corica said.
“It has been tough because we’ve played five games in 13 days and that’s not easy in these conditions, this climate and with COVID. I’m very proud of the performance tonight.
“I was disappointed still because we probably could have won it.”
Victory are two points clear of Melbourne City and Macarthur FC, while Sydney sit sixth.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
and based on current performances, I believe both their days are numbered.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
trained by Arnie
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Hmmm instant flashback........one Steve Corica post 2021 Grand Final. His behaviour in that instance was apalling in my opinion. Not time for the absolute tsunami of verbal effluent that spills from Corica's mouth at times. Others whinge, but Corica needs communication training.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Well said Grem. None of us can really complain about decisions on the park, each club has had their fair share of both shockers and ‘gifts’. Popa is a master at deflecting what to many of us was just another match incident, next week [or next game, which ever comes first] the exact same situation will occur in reverse and he will say nothing, because it is to his teams advantage. AND really that is all he is worried about, what adversely affects Victory. As a neutral, [I dislike both of those clubs equally, ok maybe Victory a tad more] it was an exciting, game full of good physical clashes, great noise from both sets of fans, and I think everyone of us would agree, that if all our A League matches were of the same quality, with the same atmosphere, then we wouldn’t be complaining. OK Nomates would be, because that’s his calling in life, or so it seems.
Waz
Roar Rookie
The contract you refer to is negotiated by the PFA and forms part of the overall collective bargaining agreement and any is considered under the cap which is way more complex that the headline ALM squad cap. All clubs use them and if you’re criticising the Roar for not putting youth players on contract then you haven’t looked at this seasons squad - most people ate composing Roar have TOO MANY on contract lol
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
He's a terrific player and Roar had quite a stake in his professional development.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Recently saw Jurgen Klopp in an interview make a good case against coaches trying to overly influenced the refs decisions. He was particularly talking about feigned or heightened injuries.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Popa playing the old put pressure on the refs in future games...
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/roar-rookie-jets-to-germany-to-trial-with-bundesliga-club-574927 Thats the article.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
What a poor coaching technique, default for Popa and a few others, blame the ref when you lose.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
whatever are you on about? If it's Eli Adams you refer to, he did have a contract in Germany but was forced home late last year (mid season) due Covid, according to what I've read about him.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Whats this story about Roar Adams jetting over to Germany for trials, apparently the Roar have not even got this guy on a contract but has gotten on to the field for them this season. The joke foreign legion Roar have no European club would touch them with a barge pole. Over the hill, lazy , the other players have to do all their running for them. The Roar cant even put the youth on minimum wage, and they want a transfer fee. This is the real issue NPL and second rate A-league clubs want to put youth players on joke wages and get transfer fees, it doesn't work like that you dont pay minimum contract you dont get a transfer fee.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I didnt even know this was on I thought midweek matches would be on Wed. Popovic now whining about something before the corner kick. Maybe Sydney are building fitness through matches I was suprised how much energy they had. Sydney had the better of the match, Victory didnt look that energetic, Buhagiar gets one on ones every match cant finish though, he only scores tap ins, but at least he put the ball in for Ninkovic to tap in though it was off a rebound. I would rate Folami as the best player in the A-league currently and should be in the Socceroos squad, the first goal was a great strike from a tough angle, the second goal he beat multiple players and put in on a plate for Kruse. Folami, Caceres, Goodwin, Connor Paine, De Silva, Yuel are the best players this season. Only one is in the Socceroos squad though , so is Arnold bothering to watch.
Coastyboi
Guest
Oh Tony! Poppa did a poopy in his panties. There, there, diddums.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Strewth, what a sore “loser”. Suck it up Tony, suck it up …
NoMates
Roar Rookie
SFC screw another AL team out of a win because they are protected by the Refs and VAR. I'd like to know just how much money SFC have paid off officials though out the years.
Grem
Roar Rookie
That was a great game and a fair result. The atmosphere created by the Victory supporters was amazing. Close to the best game of the A Leagues season in terms of look and sound. This is what football should look and sound like all through the season. And all those whingers about Sydney's favourable draw - 5 games in 13 days is definitely not favouritism. In another pandemic effected season each team needs to roll with the punches and accept how their games pan out.