Melbourne Victory boss Jim Magilton has criticised referee Regis Queffelec for not sending off Gold Coast gloveman Jerrad Tyson in the first half of their 1-1 draw.
Melbourne Victory boss Jim Magilton has criticised referee Regis Queffelec for not sending off Gold Coast gloveman Jerrad Tyson in the first half of their 1-1 draw on Saturday night at Skilled Park.
Tyson, who is injured first-choice custodian Glen Moss’ understudy, clattered into Victory striker Archie Thompson just outside his own box early in the match when the visiting side were on the break.
Victory officials were incensed that the young shot-stopper wasn’t shown a red card by Queffelec, who did not even whistle for a foul.
The incident had a massive impact on the result, as Tyson stayed in the game and pulled off a string of remarkable reflex saves that salvaged a point for bottom-placed United.
“But whether or not he should have remained on the park is another question,” an unhappy Magilton said after the match.
“I thought it was a poor decision. To say we’re disappointed is an understatement.
“Their keeper comes out for the ball, Archie touches it, and he smashes into Arch. If the keeper’s not there Archie is through on goal.
“What can I say? After that, he makes a wonderful save from Archie Thompson. The referee is on top of the game and for him to wave that off … he’s there, I thought it was a poor decision.”
The Northern Irishman said nerves were no excuse for first-game ref Queffelec.
“He shouldn’t be (overcome by nerves on his debut), and if he is, he shouldn’t be refereeing at this level, simple as that,” Magilton said.
The draw on the Gold Coast leaves Victory in serious danger of missing out on the finals.
The club now sit in eighth spot on the ladder with 26 points, four behind sixth-placed Melbourne Heart, who are yet to play this round.
With four matches to go in the regular season, time is of the essence for Magilton and Victory, and the coach acknowledges that a stalemate with the bottom-placed side is not good enough.
But the former QPR gaffer insists his men will not give up until it is mathematically impossible for them to make the top six.
“It’s a missed opportunity, there’s no doubt about that. But we are still in it,” he said.
“And we will go there for the last four games and we are going to go for it. Bring it on. We have got better and better, and we relish the opportunity of playing against Newcastle, who are again on the up.”
Magilton confirmed left fullback Fabio is likely to miss next Saturday’s home fixture against the Jets, while the club is still reeling from losing captain Adrian Leijer (hip) for the rest of the season.
