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Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images
Players from both teams collide after Roar MacAulay defender Gillespie met Alex Rufer on a corner kick.
Wellington Phoenix has fallen to a 1-1 draw with 10-man Brisbane Roar after a highly controversial VAR decision came against them in Sunday’s death.
The Phoenix thought they had won an injury time penalty at a drenched McDonald Jones stadium in Newcastle when a hasty punt from Roar’s captain Tom Aldred struck the arm of teammate Riku Danzaki.
However, much to the bewilderment of coach Ufuk Talay, the video assistant referee confirmed on-field referee Stephen Lucas’ decision not to award a penalty, denying Phoenix a possible jail-free exit card after conceding in the minute. 86.
“The explanation we got is that the defense is trying to clear and then it hits a defender, so it’s accidental. But for me, accidental is when his hands are next to his head, ”Talay said.
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“For me it is a clear handball and a clear penalty, but the interpretation of handball changes every week, so we go with the referee’s decision.”
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Phoenix forward Tomer Hemed celebrates after opening the scoring three minutes before half-time.
The Phoenix led most of Sunday’s game after forward Tomer Hemed scored the big goal in the 42nd minute, his second in consecutive games.
Aldred couldn’t deal with a center from left back James McGarry and Hemed pounced, pinching possession on the edge of the penalty area and hitting a first shot to give the Phoenix a well-deserved lead after dominating the first half.
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Roaring defender Tom Aldred and Phoenix forward David Ball challenge for the ball.
But the Roar came to life in the second half in a classic two-time game and tied the score with four minutes remaining after a period of sustained pressure when Golgol Mebrahtu found a cross from MacAulay Gillespie and headed home from close range. to score his first A-League Goal in eight years.
“It is very disappointing. In the first half I thought we played really good football and in the second half I didn’t think we were that good with the ball, but we defended our area quite well and conceding a goal so late is disappointing and losing two points is very disappointing. “
Tim Payne is enjoying his time as a central defender for Wellington Phoenix.
The disgusting Happy Roar was reduced to 10 men when Gillespie was shown a second yellow for taking down Jaushua Sotirio. It was one of 21 fouls Roar committed against Phoenix.
Sunday’s stalemate has left the Phoenix rooted in 10th place, six points behind the top six.
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Phoenix defender James McGarry overtakes Roar forward Dylan Wenzel-Halls.
They are back in action against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday, a game both teams will be desperate to win.
“At the end of the day, we still have a point,” Talay said. “We have two more games on the way very fast. Our goal was to try to get nine points in the three games, but there are still another six points available in these next two games.
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Tomer Hemed 42 ‘) Brisbane Roar 1 (Golgol Mebrahtu 86 ‘)
HT: 1-0
