Adelaide United head coach Carl Veart said Nestory Irankunda must quickly learn to keep his emotions in check after his fiery outburst sparked a melee in his side’s 3-2 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Teenage star Irankunda was held back by Calem Niuewenhof as he made a break up field late in Friday’s Isuzu UTE A-League showdown, before twice lashing out at the Wanderers midfielder.
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Niuewenhof’s cynical foul and Irankunda’s push and shove sparked an all-in fracas that culminated in Wanderers captain Marcelo being sent off for putting the 17-year-old sensation in a headlock.
Wanderers head coach Marko Rudan was ropeable that Irankunda wasn’t dismissed by referee Shaun Evans and said Marcelo’s reaction was directly linked to his tough upbringing in Brazilian slums.
Veart implied that his teenage maestro was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card and said the winger, who recently spent a week in Socceroos camp, must not be baited into a reaction.
“Nestory needs to learn to be a bit more cool-headed,” Veart said after Adelaide extended their undefeated streak to 11 matches as they closed within a point of league-leading Melbourne City.
“He can’t allow himself to get the way he did and it all got a little bit out of hand.
“He can’t react like that, that’s not how you should play football.
“He’s still young and he’s learning, that’s another thing he needs to learn from tonight because some of the other referees might have sent him off.”
Veart took delight in how his players united in standing up to Marcelo, who is likely facing a suspension.
“That is our biggest asset in this team,” said Veart, whose side cut Melbourne City’s lead to just one point.
“We are a solid team and we’ll back each other up and when someone needs help we’ll step up for them.”
Rudan said he had no issue with Marcelo’s actions but queried why Irankunda wasn’t also dismissed.
“Marcelo is a Brazilian that was brought up in the favelas,” Rudan said. “That’s what disappoints me, he’s got a big personality and he’s a strong leader who defends and protects.
“He’s done it numerous times where has put his arm around people’s heads.
“I need an explanation as to where the red card came from.
“Had Calem gone down then it’s retaliation, because he holds his feet… what’s the difference? There’s still retaliation.”
