Sydney FC goalkeeper Jada Whyman was perhaps lucky to get away with a yellow card after kicking out at Alex Chidiac in a match that could decide the Liberty A-League Premiership.
With Sydney FC down 1-0 to Melbourne Victory in a match where a win would see them crowned Liberty A-League Premiers, Matildas goalkeeper Jada Whyman produced a moment of madness that made their task significantly more difficult.
After claiming the ball from an Emily Gielnik cross, Whyman kicked out at Alex Chidiac who had stepped into her path and made slight contact.
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Instantly, referee Casey Reibelt produced a yellow card and pointed to the penalty spot, but commentators Grace Gill and Alicia Ferguson suggested there was a case for the goalkeeper to have been shown a straight red card instead.
“A cynical little lash-out from Jada Whyman… I think she may be in trouble here,” Gill explained on the Network 10 broadcast.
“This is unusual. A ball into the box from Gielnik, a really rudimentary save for Whyman. Little shoulder from Chidiac, but as a goalkeeper, you can’t kick out like that can you?
“A huge moment in this Big Blue. A huge moment in this finals race.
“Perhaps Jada Whyman this instance very very lucky to still be on the field.”
Ferguson added: “I’m very, very surprised. I think Jada Whyman is very lucky to only get a yellow card there.
“I think it was retaliation. There was a little bit of contact by Chidiac, I think the assistant referee would’ve had a good view of it… I think personally it is a red card or a penalty depending on what (referee) Casey Reibelt has done.
“Maybe she’s given a yellow card and a penalty so we’re doing that rather than a double jeopardy, but Jada Whyman… what are you doing there?… Just no need to do that.
“I still think it would be a big let-off for Jada Whyman, because if she got sent off, missing the next game of the finals series could’ve been crucial.
“Jada Whyman I think very lucky to still be on the pitch.
“What is more important? Would it be keeping your number one goalkeeper going into the finals series? Or winning your fourth Premiership? A big moment in this game.”
Victory’s Rachel Lowe stepped up and converted the penalty to hand Victory a 2-0 lead in a moment that could provide the biggest twist in the dramatic race for the Liberty A-League Premiership.
Sydney are chasing a record fourth consecutive Premiers Plate, a feat no side men’s or women’s has ever achieved in the A-Leagues, but should they go on to lose this match, Melbourne City would be in position to pip them to the post.
City take on Perth Glory in the late kick off to conclude the regular season and could seal a Premiership triumph that seemed seriously unlikely only a few days ago.
Sydney FC only had to win one of their last two matches to claim the silverware, but were beaten by last-placed Canberra United on Wednesday night and now look in trouble of going down to the Victory too.
