Red card spells end for Wanderers

WESTERN Sydney coach Tony Popovic has rued Jaushua Sotirio’s extra-time red card as the moment his side’s ALeague finals hopes went down the drain.

The season is over for the Wanderers after they were beaten 6-5 in a penalty shootout by Brisbane Roar in Friday night’s action-packed elimination final at Suncorp Stadium, with the two sides level at 1-1 after extra time.

Young winger Sotirio, who entered the fray as a 87th minute substitute, was a key figure in the madness. Seconds after he came on, he was shown a yellow card for a foul on Brandon Borrello.

Then, in the 103rd minute, he was given his marching orders by referee Jarred Gillett for clattering into Corey Brown but it was his busy attacking work in between that had Popovic convinced he was the player that could have made the difference.

“For me, the turning point was Jaush being sent off,” Popoviche said.

“We missed the player that really could have hurt them and got us the win.

“We could see his fresh legs and speed was hurting Brisbane. Unfortunately we missed those opportunities once Jaushy went off.

“It’s very difficult after that, you’ve got tired bodies and we lacked that spark once he was off the park.”