Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica has criticised the officiating in Saturday night’s 2-0 semi-final second leg defeat to Melbourne Victory, believing the Black Knights’ disallowed goal should have stood.
Leading 1-0 heading into the second leg at Go Media Stadium, Auckland were left stunned as goals from Zinedine Machach and Bruno Fornaroli in the space of five second-half minutes saw them trailing 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate.
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However the big talking point of the game occurred in the 69th minute when the home side briefly thought they’d restored parity in the tie.
Chasing down a loose ball inside the box, striker Guillermo May sent a looping cross to the back post which was then headed into the back of the net by Logan Rogerson however the celebrations were cut short.
Whilst replays suggested May initially got to the ball before it crossed the byline, the goal was then chalked off with the match officials deciding the Uruguayan’s cross had indeed looped out of play before it was then headed home by Rogerson.
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“The goal, or the disallowed goal, was fine for me,” said a frustrated Corica when speaking to Sky Sports NZ after the game.
“So you know, this is what VAR is for, this is what the referee’s job is to do and I think they definitely got it wrong, and it was a disgraceful decision.”
Discussing the decision further, Corica went into more detail when speaking to journalists in his post-match media conference.
“I think we all saw the replay. The ball’s in play. So, for me, the referee’s made a bad decision, the linesman has and so has the VAR, whoever’s in charge up there, because that would have obviously helped us get back into the game.
“It wasn’t our day. We had a few half chances, but it just wasn’t falling for us and we switched off a couple of times to let them get into the lead.
“But you know, for me, we weren’t given the opportunity to get back into the game because of that decision as well.
He continued: “After that we created a few good half-chances, like I said, (but) no real clear-cut chances. But you know, I got to say that I’m very proud of the players and all the staff for having an amazing season, but it’s obviously got cut short, which is disappointing, especially the way it got cut short as well.”
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Asked whether or not he’d spoken to the match officials in a bid to get more clarity on the decision, Corica admitted there’s no point in seeking an explanation.
“No, I haven’t. I’m sure Terry McFlynn (Auckland FC Director of Football) will have a chat with them. But again, it doesn’t matter what happens now because it’s happened.
“During the season we got apologies after the game. I don’t want an apology, I want the right decision to be made and in my opinion they got it wrong.
He added: “That could have cost us getting back into the game for one and getting into a final so you’re talking about big decisions today.
“So you know, you would hope they get it right, but I don’t think so.”
Controversy aside though, Corica was full of praise for Melbourne Victory head coach Arthur Diles and his side, who have now qualified for back-to-back Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Finals.
“I’ve got to give credit to Melbourne as well. I thought they played extremely well.
“They changed the system. They went with the back three, back five, and it was hard to break down and they had some big boys at the back.
“When we were knocking balls into the box, they were first there. We were a little bit slow to second balls and I think that’s probably where, in Melbourne, we were winning all these challenges, we were winning the second balls.
He continued: “We were probably a little bit off in that department. Then maybe that cost us, obviously, the second goal for sure.
“But again, I’m really proud of the players.”
The result – played out in front of a New Zealand domestic football record crowd of 29,148 people – brings an end to Auckland FC’s hopes of sealing an incredible Premiership/Championship double in their inaugural season.
