Phoenix ask FFA for ‘please explain’
The Wellington Phoenix are seeking a ‘please explain’ after star Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha was cleared to play in today’s A-League catch up match in Wellington.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) officials decided to overturn the red card given to Berisha in controversial circumstances during Friday night’s 3-2 win over Brisbane Roar.
Berisha, the A-League’s record goal scorer is free to play in today’s game, which was postponed because of an earthquake in New Zealand last year.
The Phoenix are understood to be unhappy Berisha’s ban was rescinded and are seeking a ‘please explain’ from the FFA.
Berisha was given his marching orders by referee Chris Beath on the say-so of an assistant referee after he was judged to have come into contact with Roar defender Luke De Vere’s head in the second half of the tempestuous clash at AAMI Park.
Replays suggested the contact was minimal and short-lived. However De Vere recoiled back, doubling down and clutching his face, although he later tried to argue that he had done nothing to get Berisha sent off.
Victory was incensed by the decision and on Sunday the FFA’s independent Match Review Panel (MRP) – chairman Simon Micallef, Con Diomis and Adam D’Apuzzo – met to decide whether the straight red card, for violent conduct, was justified.
‘‘In reviewing the incident, the MRP considered an Obvious Error (Red Card) Application submitted by Melbourne Victory on behalf of Besart Berisha,’’ the FFA said..
Beat Marco Rojas and the highflying Melbourne Victory and all of a sudden the Wellington Phoenix will be in the top six.
Easier said than done of course, with the Victory soaring at second place on the Hyundai A-League ladder and 17 points clear of the Phoenix on the back of a six-game winning streak.
But considering the poor form that resulted in Ernie Merrick’s decision to resign, coaches Des Buckingham and Chris Greenacre have got the team back in to a position to strike and they should be able to produce a much improved performance after being embarrassed 6-1 in their previous meeting with a rejuvenated team.
That is why this busy stretch, playing three games within the space of a week, is so important to their playoff hopes.
Midfielder Michael McGlinchey said the team is targeting a nine point week. After beating the Central Coast Mariners 1-0 courtesy of the All White’s early goal in his comeback from injury, they have ticked the first box.
But there’s still tougher tests to go, starting with the Victory at Westpac Stadium on Tuesday night - the round seven game rescheduled following the earthquake damage to the stadium in November. If they can upset the Victory then they will jump one point ahead of the Newcastle Jets and go level with the Perth Glory in fifth place.
‘‘We all knew this was going to be a huge week for us and we spoke it about it before the Central Coast game. Lucky we got off to a good start and got the three points and we want to continue that now. We see this as nine points to get this week and we’ll be sitting nice in the table from there,’’ McGlinchey said.
The Victory have won six games in a row but McGlinchey said the players believe they can upset the form team in the competition, especially with himself back fit and Roy Krishna returning from suspension.
Throw in the midseason arrival of Shane Smeltz and all of a sudden there’s plenty of competition for places at the Phoenix.
‘‘You want to see good players missing out because there’s so much competition so we’ll be pushing each other on the training pitch to get your name on that first team,’’ he said.
Greenacre said reintegrating Krishna would be no issue, the Fijian marksman likely to partner Smeltz up front.
‘‘He’ll either start or feature very heavily in the game,’’ Greenacre said.
‘‘It’s a selection headache for the first time this club has probably had in a while. It’s a good time to be at the club when you can call upon Gui Finkler on the bench.’’
Greenacre and Buckingham have done well to lift the Phoenix back in to the position they are in, but he knows the next two games, also facing the Brisbane Roar on Saturday, are crucial.
‘‘I think at the end of it if you can get results, and it’s hypothetical, then you’re back in the top four and the season has turned on its head and everyone is saying the Phoenix are where they need to be.
‘‘That’s not looking forward too early thats the reality of having a game in hand.’’
The Victory are built on a fearsome attack, spearheaded by Besart Berisha, who escaped suspension after his red card from the weekend was rescinded.
Berisha has scored a leaguehigh 12 goals while Rojas, returning to his former home, has netted 11 times.