Hooper: VAR got it wrong
Prior to Sunday’s controversial loss to Melbourne City, Wellington Phoenix striker Gary Hooper had never experienced the joys of VAR.
So it was quite the introduction for the former Celtic and Norwich City man, when a handball howler potentially cost the Phoenix their first point of the A-League season.
‘‘It was my first game [with VAR] and in my first game they got it wrong,’’ he said.
Phoenix defender Louis Fenton was judged to have handled the ball from a cross despite replays showing it struck his chest, resulting in Craig Noone’s second half penalty.
Hooper said it was super quiet in the Phoenix changing room immediately after the match as the nature of their 3-2 defeat hit home.
‘‘Everyone knew it hit his chest and in the end we lost the game and couldn’t do much about it. It was quite low in the camp but now we’ve got to get back on the training pitch and it’s a big week ahead of us.’’
Ben Waine, 18, who became the Phoenix’s youngest goalscorer by netting in stoppage time, said the VAR controversy took the gloss off what should have been one of the proudest moments of his young career.
‘‘It’s mixed emotions really. Obviously I’m really excited to score my first professional goal and to be the youngest is a really nice achievement personally, but it’s about the result at the end of the day and it kind of overshadowed it in my opinion,’’ Waine said.
Although he was substituted at halftime as Ufuk Talay continues to ease his marquee man into action, Hooper said he felt he could have played on in the second half but was understanding of his coach’s decision.
‘‘I think everyone would say they could go on a bit more but it’s the manager’s decision, protecting me, protecting my legs and I think in the end it was the right decision.’’