Nix fuming after VAR blunder by officials
Former Wellington striker Tomer Hemed returned to haunt his former A-League football club with a secondhalf winner, rubber-stamped in controversial circumstances by the VAR, as the Western Sydney Wanderers beat the Phoenix 2-0. But the capital club is fuming.
Coach Ufuk Talay was left frustrated after officials failed to spot a foul on Callan Elliot in the lead-up to Wanderers’ opening goal when he checked the tape to see if the ball had crossed the goal-line.
Club operations manager Shaul Gill said yesterday the Wellington side had sent a “please explain” notice to A-League referees boss Nathan Magill.
Wellington were the better side for much of the match at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Friday night but had their pockets picked by a limited but street smart Wanderers side.
Hemed scored the crucial goal in the 66th minute after poor defending from a free kick.
The Wanderers had barely had a chance until then but managed their lead well, before Johnny Koutroumbis scored in injury time, from a swift counter attack after a Phoenix corner, with goalkeeper Oli Sail stranded in the other penalty area.
It brought the club record 13-match unbeaten run, which dated back to April, to an anti-climactic end.
On the balance of play, Wellington deserved at least a point but they couldn't make the most of plenty of pressure, unable to fashion the right final ball often enough, despite plenty of intricate football.
But the Phoenix still look vulnerable to set pieces, and so it proved again.
Meanwhile, the Nix were much happier after an impressive debut showing in their A-League Women’s competition, also in Wollongong.
They ground out a 0-0 draw at WIN Stadium with 18-year-old centre-back Kate Taylor and 17-year-old right-back Zoe McMeeken among the standout individuals.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” coach Gemma Lewis said. “They did exactly what we wanted them to do.”
Wellington Phoenix 0 Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Tomer Hemed 66, Johnny Koutroumbis 92). HT: 0-0.