A-League 2020: Sydney FC beat Wellington Phoenix 3-1
Sydney FC all but sealed the Premier’s Plate on the opening night of the A-League’s return, but FFA’s decision to shelve the VAR for the rest of regular season didn’t help Wellington Phoenix.
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Football Federation Australia’s decision to shelve the VAR for the rest of the regular season proved costly to Wellington Phoenix in the return of the A-League after a 116-day absence.
The plucky Phoenix were beaten 3-1 by competition leaders Sydney FC, who all but sealed the Premier’s Plate at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Friday night.
Two late goals to substitute Trent Buhagiar secured the Sky Blues all three points, however the Phoenix could count themselves unlucky after leading 1-0 via a Reno Piscopo penalty in the 66th minute.
Wellington had three crucial decisions go against them that arguably would have been overturned had the VAR been in use.
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The first came in the 14th minute when an Alex Rufer volley smashed into the arm of Sky Blues defender Rhyan Grant.
Phoenix players appealed for a penalty, however referee Chris Beath waved play on.
Grant’s arm was not in a “natural position” so it would have been no surprise had the spot kick been awarded if the VAR was in use.
Then in the 76th minute, Sydney striker Adam Le Fondre equalised with a penalty after referee Beath pointed to the spot for a handball against Phoenix substitute Ulises Davila.
Again there was doubt over the decision, with the ball seeming to hit Davila’s chest before deflecting into his arm.
Soon after with scores level, the Phoenix thought they went ahead via substitute Gary Hooper.
The referee’s assistant ruled Hooper was offside, however video replays suggested Hooper was onside with he guided the ball past Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay said the VAR should not have been scrapped.
“Sometimes it happens in a game, they make calls that don’t go your way, and sometimes I believe the wrong decisions that influence the game, and I believe tonight there were some decisions that influenced the result,” Talay said. “I was quite pleased with the VAR the way it worked (when it was used) and I believe it should be there.”
Sydney coach Steve Corica felt the correct decisions had been made.
“I think the referee got them right,” Corica said.
Earlier, there were few genuine chances in the first half, however Sydney midfielder Luke Brattan twice forced Phoenix goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic into saves with long-distance strikes in the 15th and 23rd minutes.
Brattan was also involved in a heated incident in the 38th minute when he was collected by a high boot from Rufer. Tempers flared briefly, with referee Beath calming the situation before showing a yellow card to Rufer.
Le Fondre had a great opportunity to give his side the lead in the 58th minute after being set up by his attacking partner Kosta Barbarouses.
However, Le Fonde directed his shot straight at grateful gloveman Marinovic.
The Phoenix went ahead via a Piscopo penalty eight minutes later after a needless and clumsy tackle from Sydney defender Ryan McGowan sent Wellington wing-back Liberato Cacace crashing to the turf.
Originally published as A-League 2020: Sydney FC beat Wellington Phoenix 3-1