Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau has accused the Newcastle Jets of ‘playing another sport’ following the bruised and battered Reds’ heated 1-0 win on Sunday.
Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau has accused the Newcastle Jets of ‘playing another sport’ following the bruised and battered Reds’ heated 1-0 win at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
Gombau was particularly disappointed with the treatment handed out to star Argentine playmaker Marcelo Carrusca, who is unlikely to play in this Friday’s clash with Sydney FC due to concussion.
Jets trio Taylor Regan, captain Ruben Zadkovich and Nathan Burns were all booked for three separate challenges on Carrusca, who eventually was forced to exit the game after copping repeated batterings.
Earlier in the week, Gombau pointed out the physicality of the Jets, who have racked up the most fouls and yellow cards of any A-League side this season, and Sunday’s ill-tempered stoush did nothing to sway the Adelaide manager’s opinion.
“I am disappointed with this because we need to protect the players,” Gombau said.
“Carrusca got a strong concussion. We checked with the doctor…the doctor thinks he cannot play on Friday.
“It’s something we spoke (about) in the week, that they (Jets) make a lot of fouls.
“They made one foul (through Regan) at the end of the first half that can be (could have been a) red (card).
“The referee’s job is very difficult but we need to protect the players. That is important because this is not football – it is another sport.
“From this, the player (Carrusca) needs to go off, cannot finish the game and cannot play this week. I am disappointed with this.”
Gombau remains confident about the prospect of Osama Malik suiting up against Sydney, after the consistent stopper limped off late with an ankle injury.
But Adelaide will be without the services of star striker Jeronimo Neumann, who copped a suspension-earning fifth yellow card for the season during the heated encounter, which was decided by Bruce Djite’s opportunistic goal in the 26th minute.
The loss of Jeronimo is a blow but Gombau believes the gap can be adequately filled.
“This (Jeronimo’s suspension) is a problem,” Gombau said.
“But Fabio (Ferreira) is coming (back), Isaias is doing very well, (and) we have young players that play in the Youth (League) that are doing very well.
“We have a space for these players, who can show what they are doing and what they are working on.
“On Friday we have a very important game, probably without some important players that are injured.
“We have to work a lot this week to prepare for the game.”
