Melbourne Victory coach hits out at costly decision in 1-1 draw with Phoenix

Amidst the A-League top-of-the-table match in Wellington, Phoenix captain Alex Rufer delighted the approximately 9,000 spectators by pulling off an unexpected 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory.

After a quick conversation with the highly effective Kosta Barbarouses, Rufer took his place and converted the stoppage time penalty into the right corner, although the opposing team did not join in the frenzied celebrations.

Tony Popovic, the coach of Melbourne Victory, indicated following the game that he was at best frustrated with the VAR’s decision to give the penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

“I didn’t think it was a penalty at first,” Popovic, the visiting coach, stated.

In the ninetieth minute, Oskar van Hattum, a young forward for Wellington, cut into the box from the right side and attempted a left-footed shot, but it went narrowly wide of the post. A few moments later, Jason Geria hauled him down in the area.

“When he went to look at the screen I thought ‘we’re in trouble here’,” Popovic recalled.

After approving play for a minute, referee Daniel Elder was requested to review the replay by his VAR. It did not take him long to pronounce the punishment.

“I thought it was just a coming together, but they deemed it differently,” Popovic stated.

The predominant feeling is annoyance. I’m disappointed that we failed to secure the three points. I felt that we were really

At 1-nil it shows we’ve got a lot of growing to do because at that point we lost control of the game.

“We’ve got to do better when we face that situation again, but for 80 odd minutes it was a very good performance.”

Wellington were forced to play the entire second half with 10 men after fullback Tim Payne was sent off shortly before halftime and they defended bravely before finding a breakthrough in the 79th minute.