The A-League Men’s lack of goal-line technology has again come under scrutiny after Melbourne Victory were contentiously denied an equaliser in their 1-0 loss to Macarthur FC.
Macarthur dealt Victory their first loss of the season, ending the Melbourne side’s 15-game unbeaten run with a 1-0 win via Jake Hollman’s lovely chip in the 21st minute, while goalkeeper Filip Kurto starred.
Returning Socceroo Bruno Fornaroli (eight shots) had a chance to equalise from the penalty spot in the 84th minute after Kealey Adamson brought down Roderick Miranda
But his tame effort was denied by Kurto – with the Victory striker’s claim the ball had crossed the line falling on deaf ears.
There is no goal-line technology in the ALM, only VAR – which ticked off the decision.
The contentious moment came six days after a shortfall of technology left it unclear whether Valere Germain’s winner in Macarthur’s 4-3 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers had crossed the line.
“From first angle I thought it crossed the line, but VAR checked it so we have to trust it didn’t cross the line,” Victory coach Tony Popovic said.
“From my angle – I’m far away, I’m on the halfway line – I couldn’t see whether the whole ball crossed the line. But they assured me that it didn’t – so no goal.
“We’ve probably needed that (goal-line technology) since we started VAR. I don’t think that’s anything new.”
Popovic’s Bulls counterpart Mile Sterjovski added: “Maybe it does (need to be introduced). Two weeks in a row where it’s very close.
“It’s hard to see from the sideline. The officials maybe have a better view, the guys in VAR.
“We have to trust their opinion and go from there.”
Victory should have got something out of the game regardless.
Popovic’s charges had 29 shots (six on target) to six (one), but with nine saves Kurto turned on a goalkeeping masterclass.
“The star of the match was Fil Kurto – he had an outstanding game, saved us on a number of occasions,” Sterjovski said.
Macarthur (28 points) jump to third on the table ahead of Victory (27 points), who are now winless in five.
“We were poor today in the first half,” Popovic said.
“It was too slow, it was laboured, it was forced. It’s the first time this year I can say we didn’t play our football.”
Victory take on crosstown rivals Melbourne City – 5-1 losers at Brisbane Roar on Saturday – next weekend, with both sides looking to bounce back.
“We need a reaction,” Popovic said.
“We shouldn’t need a derby to play well. We need to get a good reaction next week, get the performance right and that will give us a chance.”
Popovic confirmed out-of-form winger Chris Ikonomidis, who had been linked to a move to Adelaide, had been dropped.
Adama Traore will be monitored after complaining of upper-leg tightness.
Macarthur are at home for an AFC Cup clash with Malaysian club Sabah on Tuesday, before hosting league leaders Wellington next Sunday.
Bulls skipper Ulises Davila will be available for Tuesday after he was rested against Victory to manage a pre-existing injury.
At work
Roar Rookie
It was pretty clear from the TV coverage the ball didn't entirely go over the line, why make a big deal out of this. Goal line tech while would be great, isn't worth the high cost
Waz
Roar Rookie
The fans are magnificent, they do everything to convince anyone who’s listening that’s a goal: they cheer at the right time, and with conviction, they make a wall of boooos when play goes on, the cheer on the big screen replay at the right time, then they all booo again. It’s pure theatre. If fans score goals then that’s awarded lol. I’ve rewatched the video (it’s on this site) again and again and it doesn’t look like it’s crossed the line - not even controversially so, you don’t even need another angle: the ball remains over the line from that viewing angle and going side on is only going to make that clearer. This is just poor sportsmanship from victory - trying to claim something that’s not theirs to claim. (Fornaroli with an awful penalty take deserves the scrutiny, nothing else).
Garry
Roar Rookie
“the ball did not cross the line ” COMPLETELY.. there a photo that suggests the ball fully over the line BUT its a trick of camera angle. I have no issue with VAR but this is where it gets it wrong. Slowing down play does not mean a particular freeze frame is right. Ive seen plenty which suggest contact but when seen in real time or from a different angle no contact exists – no meaningful or significant contact anyway. I think the first think we need to do with VAR is prevent it upgrading to red, rather the reverse ie any red card sb reviewd NOT any yellow card. We should review goals pens and red cards only.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I thought MV finished the match strong compared to other recent matches there seemed a lot more desperation. Fornaroli may have gotten the team to perform better on his return but the finishing has been poor all season, Fornaroli scored two sets of four in matches where he was also left unmarked but has not really been good in other matches has missed plenty its really the case he has been flooded with chances this season. Fornaroli had the penalty and that give away, the penalty was weak,and straight down the middle but what about the give away , if he was trying to round the keeper it was a terrible attempt , if he was taking another touch the goal keeper was going to close him down.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Nix-Mariners-Lonely Bulls. Not the top three I was expecting with ~2/3 of the season gone, but couldn't be happier. Go you Lonely Bulls!
Brendan
Roar Pro
Ring-a-ding-ding, the Bulls have arrived. Victory will be scratching their heads after this game. Let’s be honest, Melbourne have been content to park the bus lately, only satisfied with draws.
Waz
Roar Rookie
This type of reporting and comments from coaches like Poppa is exactly what brought us VAR - now we spend $1.5m a year on technology that few people, if any, are happy with. Goal line technology is expensive, more expensive than VAR, and it also isn’t 100% foolproof. Are we prepared to spend $500k per incident because we don’t get many of them in a season to prove the ball did or didn’t cross the line? In this case Fall-n-Rolli takes a poor penalty, the ball somehow spins back towards crossing the line where the keeper stops it - did it cross the line? Every still photograph published so far shows the ball did not cross the line - in real terms it’s not even a question of “well, did it, I’m not sure, it’s close” … photos show it hasn’t crossed the line. Poppa, like Rudan last week, is deflecting - his team, like Rudan’s, is falling short of expectations and underperforming .. and it would be nice (for them) if it were someone else’s fault and not theirs; teams often take on the character traits of their coaches so when a teams underperforming look to the coach - if they’re full of excuses why their team didn’t go better, the players will be too.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Victory should have won, but they didn’t. Macarthur rested a few players for Tuesday night’s game and Victory should have scored a couple. Next week’s derby will be a classic with both teams desperately wanting to win.