Frustrated Western United coach John Aloisi questioned his side’s horror record under referee Shaun Evans in the wake of a controversial 3-2 loss to Adelaide United at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon.
Officials from the Victorian club were incensed when Adelaide substitute Nestory Irankunda escaped a “clear” sending off before going on to play a key role in helping the Reds overturn a two-goal deficit to win the five-goal thriller.
The 17-year-old winger was shown a yellow card for his challenge on Connor O’Toole but was not handed a second for a tackle on James Troisi a few minutes later.
“The rules state counter-attack, tackle from behind to stop play is a clear second yellow,” John Aloisi said.
“It’s clear. Everyone saw that … Shaun Evans decides not to give it, (Irankunda) sets up the first (Adelaide) goal and changes the game.
“When you’re a little bit anxious for a win, that can hurt you. It definitely did.”
Aloisi added to his press conference comments by expressing his frustrations to Paramount+ moments after the full-time whistle:
“We all know that Irankunda shouldn’t have been on the pitch, simple as that,” he said. “It’s starting to get a little bit frustrating in that sense, because we heaven’t won with this referee. We haven’t. I’m not saying that was the reason why we lost the game, but we know he shouldn’t have been on.
“It did (cost us), because it gave them a lift. The goal gave them a lift. We were comfortable up until then.
“Does that excuse that we didn’t defend better? Of course. We can, we know that, but when things are going against you, you need a little luck going your way – and we definitely didn’t have that.”
Western United looked comfortable after Noah Botic’s first-half opener and a rocket from Aleksandar Prijovic gave them a two-goal advantage they held well past the hour mark.
But Irankunda set up Zach Clough for a goal that halved the Reds’ deficit in the 68th minute before Ryan Kitto tapped home the equaliser from close range after Craig Goodwin’s free kick from a tight angle struck the back post.
Socceroos hero Goodwin scored Adelaide’s decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 86th minute after defender Tomoki Imai’s needless foul on Ben Halloran.
Western United officials surrounded Evans after the final whistle to vent their frustration.
“They were probably asking (why) we’ve had him 12 times and we haven’t won a game,” John Aloisi said.
“That’s the stat … and this is a team that won the championship, mind you, last year.
“Twelve times, haven’t won a game.”
Asked if he was suggesting something untoward going on with Evans, Aloisi replied: “No. I’m just giving you the stat.”
Adelaide coach Carl Veart did not feel Irankunda was fortunate to stay on the pitch.
“Not at all. He’s made a challenge for the ball, he’s made contact with the ball but he’s made contact with the player (as well),” Veart said.
“It’s a foul but I don’t think it’s worthy of a second yellow to send someone off.
“This year far too many red cards have been handed out in the league and ruined too many games.
“We want all players from both teams to stay on the pitch so we can see a good game.”
The result strengthened Adelaide’s grasp on a top-six spot, while defending champions Western United are struggling near the foot of the ladder with just one win in seven outings since Boxing Day.
