Melbourne City boss Michael Matricciani believes the Central Coast Mariners’ 121st-minute winner in their Ninja A-League Semi-Final second leg was “clearly” offside.
Delicately poised at 2-2, Sunday’s Semi-Final second leg in Melbourne seemed destined for penalties after neither side had been able to find a winner heading into stoppage time of extra time.
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
Reduced to 10 players after just 25 minutes with star winger Lourdes Bosch shown a straight red card for striking Mariners’ Brooke Nunn, the home side were already dealing with an earlier blow which saw star striker and Golden Boot winner Holly McNamara substituted after a heavy collision with Mariners keeper Sarah Langman.
However, City acquitted themselves brilliantly throughout the contest before controversy struck with just seconds left on the clock.
Racing on to a ball over the top, Mariners midfielder Isabel Gomez appeared to be in an offside position when the ball was played however the flag stayed down and Gomez coolly lobbed City keeper Malena Mieres to send her side through to the Ninja A-League Grand Final.
“Look to be fair, I didn’t even need to see the footage back, because live, even from a 45 degree angle, I could see clearly that it was offside.
Melbourne City head coach Michael Matricciani on Isabel Gomez’s winning goal
“Look for me, you can’t blame anyone. Obviously we don’t have VAR in in our league, and these are the mistakes that sort of happen.
“But when the girls three or four meters offside, it’s tough to take. But this is football, hopefully they learn from it as well – the linesmen and referees.”
He continued: “It’s disappointing to be on that side of it, but to be fair, this is what we love about football. Anything can happen, and sometimes it doesn’t go your way.”
Not only did Gomez’s goal deny City the chance to complete the Premiership/Championship double this season, it also brought about an end to their record-breaking 24-game unbeaten streak in the Ninja A-League.
“Look, the first word that comes to mind is proud. I mentioned that to the girls in the huddle. I’m super proud of their efforts,” said Matricciani when speakign to Network 10 at full-time.
“I thought over the 120 minutes, I still felt we were the better side. I felt we were fitter and stronger.
“We probably had better chances to be fair, especially with Bryleeh Henry in the first half having a one on one, which we didn’t quite capitalise.
“Obviously this is football we have to learn from our moments, especially Lourdes (Bosch), who definitely needs to learn.
“She’s let our team down here. But in that the girls showed enormous grit, so very disappointing, but super proud.”
