On a weekend in which 20 goals were scored and a couple of dramatic comebacks were made, it’s a shame the biggest talking point was another hugely contentious VAR decision.
Maybe it’s time to split the A-League Men in two. The Australian Professional Leagues could have a league dedicated solely to relentlessly nitpicky refereeing, and the rest of us could watch a splinter league focussed on some actual football.
Because what we’ve got now – this carnival of officiating in which a football game occasionally breaks out – isn’t getting enough fans through the gates or watching the broadcasts.
Saturday night’s red card to Macarthur defender Jonathan Aspropotamitis was yet another example of the Video Assistant Referee taking a decision that didn’t need to be made and getting it wrong.
There’s no doubt Aspro brought down Sydney FC attacker Patrick Wood in the 34th minute.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
On-field referee Alex King got his decision spot on when he brandished the yellow card to the Bulls defender, who was 30 metres from goal and had teammates Tomi Uskok and Matt Millar virtually alongside him.
But then Video Assistant Referee Shaun Evans interjected, and after a nearly three-minute review to re-referee a decision that had already been correctly made, King upgraded the yellow to a red and sent Aspro off.
The Bulls were already frustrated by a VAR decision to award the Sky Blues an early penalty after Robert Mak looked like he barged over Matt Millar in the box, only to then trip over the prostrate Millar on the ground.
“How can you actually visually see those incidents and come up with the wrong decision?” pondered Macarthur coach Dwight Yorke after the game.
Good question.
There cannot be a single person who thinks the A-Leagues have been improved by the introduction of video refereeing.
But like an addict who can’t admit they have a problem, the A-Leagues struggle on match after match, week after week with a universally despised system that actively discourages supporters from watching the games.
So it was that Aspro joined Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Jordan Holmes, Western United defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Melbourne City defender Thomas Lam in being sent off this weekend.
Topor-Stanley was initially handed a yellow for scything down Central Coast’s excitement machine Garang Kuol in Gosford on Saturday afternoon, but the veteran defender’s dismissal saw champions Western United fall in a heap.
In truth, the Mariners’ thrilling 4-2 win was no less than they deserved, after Jason Cummings turned in a virtuoso performance that saw two early strikes disallowed.
Cummings finally got his goal to start the comeback – and surely booked his place in the Socceroos’ World Cup squad in the process – as the Mariners fought from two goals down to overwhelm the visitors at the death.
It was a reminder of just how exciting the A-League Men can be when the focus is on the football and not an endless parade of dubious VAR decisions.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
There have been some genuine positives to come out of the start of the new campaign.
Dwight Yorke looks a real find as a coach and his star power – not to mention connection to one of the legends of the game in Sir Alex Ferguson, who stunned everyone by pitching up in Campbelltown during the week – helped Macarthur draw their largest-ever home attendance on Saturday night.
A newly refurbished Coopers Stadium is terrific news for Adelaide United fans too. Now all the Reds need to do is remind fans to come and fill it.
The broadcasts are an improvement on last season as well.
Say what you will about games shifting from the main channel to 10Bold, but the ability to watch a free-to-air game on Saturday night and again on Sunday is a great outcome for the league.
There’s much to like about this new A-League Men season.
If only we could convince someone at the APL we pay for tickets and streaming subscriptions to watch the football – not an endless collection of three-minute delays for more incorrect VAR decisions.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Just wanted to thank everyone for their contribution to this discussion. I read all your comments, even if I didn't quite have time to reply last Monday.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Thank you for your script.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Miller dived because he knew Mak was going to beat him to the ball. If anything Miller ran across Mak's path i.e. obstruction.
Joshua Makepeace
Roar Rookie
The feature of VAR that I think they should keep is the offside checking. That's not up to human judgement, you're either offside or you're not, however frustrating it might be when your team's number 9 is millimeters in front of the opposition defender.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
ps Someone disagrees that Miller was pushed down. Please watch the video by KEEPUP. https://keepup.com.au/videos/id/macarthur-fc-v-sydney-fc-maccas-highlights-isuzu-ute-a-league/6314577211112 Please use slow motion, 0.5x, to play back. At 0:28 of the video, it can be seen that Mak has his right hand on Miller’s back. Thus, Mak pushed Miller first.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
Hi FIL. Interestingly, all teams that have had that one man advantage have failed to make it count this year. ADL only equalised against a 10 man WEL in the 93min. BNE could not score against a 10 man City. Glory lost to a 10 man Jets. City did not score again against Victory after Brillante was sent marching. SYD could only equalise against a 10 man ADL. Victory could not score against a 10man BNE. In fact only 1 team has made the extra man count. Rnd 4 SYD vs MAC where they slotted in 2 after Aspro saw red. I think Sydney have looked pretty good this year, and I love to hate them, so that is saying something.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
When I got to Redcliffe when Nix are away I usually make a day of it by either hanging out at Scarborough or doing a Costco Run then go to Carls Jr for dinner after the game
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Rugby League is king in QLD only way you would get people to turn up is to be winning but Barkries arnt Intrested in winning
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Your forgetting TV Markets both Brisbane and Perth are to important in that regard
Foot and Ball
Roar Rookie
Nope, not going to spend hard earnt when an anti climax often occurs like what happened in the Bulls vs Sydney match. It's VAR or crowd. Choose.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
$50?? that's not shabby.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Last defending player who has taken Wood’s scoring chance, okay, it is controversial. Goalie hit on a player’s head outside the box, okay, it is controversial. But the 3 below is not acceptable for the VAR who has very good play back equipment. 1) Scot Neville’s not scoring because of offside. How can VAR cannot do right for the most fundamental thing? This thing is “offside or not”. 2) Miller was bumped down by Mak first. How can VAR could not make good this? 3) O’shea not scoring because Chapman interfered the man-wall (or Chapman offside). Chapman did nothing before the ball left O’shea’s foot. How could the VAR could not see in the review?
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Haha
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
he won't go but surely won't be renewed (whenever it's due). Disappointed to see Matt Smith go after just arriving, but to a head coach role how could he refuse. Really wish him lots of success.
Milan BREJCHA
Guest
VAR referee should concentrate on what's there and not what he wants to see !
Chris
Guest
I went to my first Redcliffe game on Saturday. Long drive from the GC but it was pretty enjoyable all round, apart from the heat. Easy parking within walking distance. Just need to get in early and purchase tickets in the shade of the main stadium. Looking forward to making a day of it next time, get in early and hit the pub. Hopefully some goals will be forthcoming. Been to 2 home matches and haven’t seen one! But was impressed with the defensive effort against MBV on Saturday. Still had fun
Marcel
Guest
CBD to Central coast is just shy of $50 tolls for a return trip now the new tunnel is open....plus 1/3 tank of gas.....it adds up if you make a habit of it.
Towser
Guest
Yes Buddy 1982 in Spain. The word you use is embarassing and it applies. Occasionally I revisit past football incidents, this is one, incredulous decision making, surreal perhaps also in nature. As a lad I went to the theatre at Christmas time and watched pantomime villains strut their stuff, non hold a candle to Harald Schumacher that day.
Waz
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Knocka
Roar Rookie
Football 2032: The referee has stopped play because the VAR has spotted a Sydney player looking at a Melbourne play with an angry expression on his face. The review has been going for three days and it appears that the VAR has referred the matter to the Court of Sports to confirm their decision and they have decided that the potential Ungentlemanly Conduct was clear and obvious once a screenshot from someone in the crowd was reviewed. The players have been called back to the ground, but wait…..where’s the crowd gone? There were three people here before the foul was committed….