Melbourne City full-back Callum Talbot was the culprit of a penalty-area encroachment that swung the momentum of Friday night’s Semi Final in favour of Sydney FC.
“What drama!” Exclaimed Paramount+ commentator Simon Hill.
“And Melbourne City are furious.”
It was the decision that gave Sydney FC a foothold in their Semi Final bout with Melbourne City on Friday night, coming in the form of a retaken penalty caused by encroachment into the box from City defender Callum Talbot.
By full-time, City’s fury had made way for disappointment, with head coach Rado Vidosic admitting the “correct call” was made by referee Adam Kersey to award the re-take. Anthony Caceres’ first spot kick was saved by Tom Glover – but Adam Le Fondre made no mistake at the second time of asking, netting the all-important equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Allianz Stadium.
“(I’m) a bit disappointed with our player stepping in for that first penalty when Tom saved it,” Vidosic said post-game. “Maybe something we need to talk about, and maybe try to improve on that.
“I think they called it back because he kicked it out of the penalty area. If he didn’t touch the ball, then it wouldn’t be so important. But because he got involved in that second phase, I think that’s why they’ve called it. I think it’s a correct call.
“But if you are in that situation, you need to block the opponents, and then you need to time your run… because if they step in front of you before the ball is kicked, then the decision would go our way.”
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Caceres won the initial penalty for Sydney FC as they trailed City 1-0 in the second half, beating City defender Nuno Reis to the ball in the box and going down under a late challenge.
And it was Caceres who missed from the penalty spot, with Glover guessing the right way to deny the Sydney midfielder a leveller.
It seemed to be the latest penalty mishap in what has been a collection for the Sky Blues this season, but Talbot – who cleared the ball from danger following Glover’s excellent save – was the culprit of the offence that led to Sydney receiving another opportunity to level from the spot.
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Simon Hill and co-commentator Andy Harper worked their way through the incident as the vision replayed on the Network 10 broadcast.
“Glover has got one foot behind the line. It’s encroachment, I think, from Callum Talbot,” said Hill.
“(Talbot) is the player who hooks the ball away,” added Harper.
Le Fondre took on the responsibility of executing the re-take; he, like Caceres, angled his shot toward the bottom-left corner, this time beating the outstretched arm of Glover to find the back of the net.
“Have we seen that pinged all season, Harps?” Hill asked, as Sydney drew level in the first leg of the Semi Finals.
“Maybe if it’s not Callum Talbot who hooks the ball clear, maybe that’s what drew their attention,” Harper pondered. “He got that advantage, and maybe a Sydney player would have had a better chance of getting to that rebound.”
At half-time, Sydney FC legend Alex Brosque labelled Talbot’s penalty-area encroachment as “a silly mistake.”
“It always gets said: (football is a) game of inches,” Brosque added on Network 10’s half-time show.
“If he holds his run that little bit longer, Glover does what he’s supposed to do – and he lets the team down by running in a little bit earlier.”
RECAP: SYDNEY FC v MELBOURNE CITY, SEMI FINAL LEG 1
