Central Coast recruit Jason Cummings has lamented the A-League Men commercial breaks and lengthy VAR delays that made the Mariners’ loss to Melbourne Victory a “stop-start” affair.
The A-Leagues have added drinks breaks in halves this season, allowing new broadcasters Network Ten to take commercial breaks – though on Saturday night, there were also ad breaks during play.
Victory’s 1-0 win over the Mariners also had some lengthy VAR reviews to add to the delays in play.
One VAR review on a seemingly obvious offside call on Jake Brimmer in the 26th minute stretched for four minutes before the original decision was upheld.
“It was quite a stale game. I’ve never been at a game where it gets stopped that long,” Scottish striker Cummings told Ten.
“Like, genuinely. The VAR takes about ten minutes to stop with that. He’s (the referee is) stopping the game for a commercial break.
“Like, I need to warm up every ten minutes. It’s stop-start.”
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Mariners coach Nick Montgomery said he previously “hadn’t really noticed” the drink breaks but Saturday’s delays were more obvious.
“Obviously, we’ve had some really hot days going back the last couple of months and I think drinks breaks have been needed there,” he said.
“Because boys have been coming back from COVID who’ve been sick and really for the health and safety of the players.
“Tonight was probably the first time I really noticed it. Seemed to be a lot of delays and some VAR checks when I have no idea why they needed to check it – it was blatantly not a foul or penalty.
“It was a little bit stop-start and you lose that little bit of momentum in the game.
“But I probably noticed it more tonight than I have all season, so that’s probably a fair comment (from Cummings).”
Victory counterpart Tony Popovic made it clear he wasn’t a fan of drinks breaks and wanted shorter VAR reviews.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“The lengthy VAR review, I’d like them to be a lot quicker because I think they’ve taken a little too long in all games,” Popovic said.
“The drinks break, whether that’s for TV or not, I think we would all love the game to keep flowing but we were made aware of this before the season.
“I don’t like it but we have to accept it and it can work in your favour sometimes, and against you sometimes.
“But regardless of whether it’s for you or against, I’d certainly love the game to just continue. Let the game continue.”
In Campbelltown, a virtuoso display by captain Ulises Davila has inspired Macarthur FC to a much-needed triumph, thumping Adelaide United 4-1 at Campbelltown Stadium.
Davila played a starring role as goals from Apostolos Giannou, Craig Noone, former Reds striker Al Hassan Toure and Michael Ruhs overturned Craig Goodwin’s opener for Adelaide and secured a first league win for the Bulls this year.
Mexican ace Davila combined with Giannou with a one-two before the Socceroos striker smashed home his first ALM goal before halftime.
And it was Davila’s trickery which won a second-half penalty in the 66th minute for the Bulls when he beat George Timotheou before being brought down by the Reds defender.
Noone’s strike from the penalty spot was saved by Adelaide goalkeeper Joe Gauci but the English winger squeezed home the rebound to spark wild celebrations from a relieved Macarthur team.
Saturday night’s win was sealed for Ante Milicic’s men when Toure volleyed home Noone’s cross in the 73rd minute to score his first goal for his new club against his former one.
Davila again played a key role when Ruhs added some late gloss with his first goal of the season to finish off counter-attack in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Sydney FC coach Steve Corica believes his team have thrown away two points after an entertaining 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix at Leichhardt Oval.
(Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)
The Sky Blues had ten shots on target to three against the Phoenix but had to settle for a point on Saturday after Bobo’s second-half strike cancelled out David Ball’s first-half opener for Wellington.
Phoenix goalkeeper Oli Sail continued his fine return from a hip injury with several crucial saves including a diving effort in stoppage time to deny Bobo a late winner for the Sky Blues.
The results means both teams extend their unbeaten runs, with Sydney holding on to fourth place on goal difference from the Phoenix who have played a game less than Corica’s men.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t get the three points,” Corica said.
“I think we deserved them. We created obviously a lot of chances.
“The keeper made about seven saves so I’m pretty sure he would’ve got man of the match.
“Obviously creating chances is very positive as well and the way we went about it was fantastic but we have to take a couple more chances, we have to have a little bit more composure in front of goals.”
Sydney are now unbeaten in five matches while the Phoenix have won four and drawn two of their past six games.
© AAP
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