Adelaide United coach Carl Veart is defending his frontman Kusini Yengi from diving accusations.
Yengi was given a yellow card for a dive during Adelaide’s 2-1 loss to Melbourne Victory in Saturday night’s A-League Men’s game.
The 22-year-old was motoring towards goal in the first half with Victory defender Roderick Miranda trailing him.
Miranda made slight contact with Yengi’s back and the Adelaide striker took a step before falling to the ground.
Referee Adam Kersey immediately issued a yellow card to Yengi.
“I didn’t think it should have been a yellow card,” Veart said.
“”There was contact there.
“And when you’re 100 kilos running as fast as you can and you get touched in the back, it’s very hard to stand up.”
Asked if Yengi exaggerated the contact, Veart replied: “It doesn’t matter, does it?”
“You would have seen him go over a few times when he’s at full stride,” he said.
“Very hard to stay upright when you’re as big as he is and such a top heavy guy as well because he’s so big up top.
“It’s very hard to keep your feet when you’re getting contact from behind.”
Yengi’s flashpoint came as Adelaide slipped to defeat against their arch rivals to remain winless for the season.
The Reds have three draws and a loss but Veart said it was too early to hit any panic button.
“It’s still early in the season, we’re only four games in so there is still a long way to go,” he said.
“We will have a good look at this game and look at the areas where we let ourselves down.
“We just have to keep improving.”
