A-League: Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite says he thought referee should have awarded penalty against Jets
THERE is no doubt in Bruce Djite’s mind that referee Kris Griffiths-Jones missed a dead set penalty call at Hunter Stadium on Friday night.
THERE is no doubt in Bruce Djite’s mind that referee Kris Griffiths-Jones missed a dead set penalty call at Hunter Stadium on Friday night.
The Adelaide United striker was on his way towards goal with just Jets keeper Mark Birighitti to beat when his old teammate Nigel Boogaard flung an arm across the Reds forward’s body – enough to throw Djite off balance.
The incident happened 13 minutes before time in the scoreless draw with Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium.
What was even more baffling was Griffiths-Jones handed the Reds a free kick outside the box when Djite clearly was felled inside.
He didn’t even brandish Boogaard a caution which should have been the very least punishment according FIFA Laws of the Game – it could have easily been a red card due to him being the last defender before Jets keeper Mark Birighitti.
“I certainly think so (it was a penalty),’’ Djite said.
“It wasn’t the greatest of shirt tugs you’ve ever seen but he (Boogaard) definitely pulled me down, I thought it was a penalty but you know we’ve (Griffiths-Jones and I) have agreed to disagree.
“I think we could have won the game Chelo (Marcelo Carrusca) hit the post and hit the crossbar and we were a bit unlucky.
“They also hit the post and they were unlucky as well but a 0-0 draw, it’s disappointing for us and we’ll start again next weekend.”
Carrusca also believes Adelaide was good enough to walk away with three points.
The Argentine, voted as Fox Sports football’s man-of-the-match, was frustrated by the woodwork which he hit from set pieces twice - one in each half.
“It (my free kicks) was close, I’m very disappointed because we deserved to win tonight,’’ Carrusca said.
“We played well we had a lot of chances but we couldn’t score, so now we go home with only one point, it’s not enough.”
Originally published as A-League: Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite says he thought referee should have awarded penalty against Jets
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