Sydney FC head coach Steve Corica was unwavering when asked again about his view on the ‘disallowed goal’ in the Sydney Derby.
The Sky Blues head coach believes Kosta Barbarouses’ 51st-minute header crossed the goal-line before Western Sydney Wanderers’ goalkeeper Daniel Lopar scooped the ball back up.
Mitchell Duke’s 19th-minute diving header decided what was a high-octane first Harbour City derby at a sold-out Bankwest Stadium in Western Sydney’s heartland of Parramatta.
But Corica believes the video evidence available to the officials should have been enough to overturn referee Alireza Faghani’s decision of ‘no goal’.
“I saw it on the big screen, the ball, I thought it was over the line from where I am,” Corica said.
“They have VAR for a reason, the other one I think was a definite penalty.
“There was one of our players right behind him who probably would have tapped it in.
“Especially on the big screen, everyone could see it.
“It’s clear. It’s just disappointing that we didn’t get the result and the decision.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098037471001
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The other incident Corica referenced was a 61st-minute cross from Alexander Baumjohann which appeared to strike the hand on Keanu Baccus.
Barbarouses was behind the Western Sydney midfielder, ready to pounce. The Kiwi international also missed a pair of of clear-cut chances in an intense Sydney Derby.
“It’s a little bit difficult to take,” added Corica.
“I’m proud of the boys, they dominated from the start to the finish, threw everything at them.
“The goals weren’t going in. We created many chances, very good ones as well.
“I give [Wanderers] credit for keeping a clean sheet. They put their body on the line, and did a good job of that.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098014868001
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Markus Babbel believes referee Faghani made the correct calls on both decisions, and the Wanderers coach paid tribute to the heroics of his goalkeeper Lopar, who made a string of excellent saves to preserve a clean sheet.
“I saw [Lopar] many, many times in Switzerland and he was one of the best goalkeepers in Switzerland,” Babbel said.
“For me it was clear, if he comes to us, he will perform.
“I’m so happy for him as well because in the last year he was not playing a lot.
“Like the others, he come with the right reasons. Not because Sydney is a beautiful city, he wanted to play a main part in a team.”
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