Source: Radio New Zealand
Ifeanyi Eze of the Phoenix AAP / Photosport
The Wellington Phoenix have questions.
The Phoenix came back from 2-0 down at halftime to draw 2-2 with Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney, thanks to a maiden A-League goal from All Whites defender Bill Tuiloma and an eighth of the season from golden boot leader Ifeanyi Eze.
However, after the final whistle the Phoenix were still perplexed by a decision head coach Giancarlo Italiano believed could have influenced the outcome.
The Phoenix feel they should have been awarded a penalty early in the second half when defender Matt Sheridan was brought down in the Wanderers box.
Despite the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) instructing referee Adam Kersey to take a closer look at his decision not to give a penalty, Kersey upheld his decision.
Italiano was left confused by the officials’ decision making.
“The fourth [official] said there was no contact so then they’re reviewing the process so there is contact, but then they said there wasn’t a foul or intention,” Italiano said post-match.
“I’m not really sure what was seen or said and that’s the frustrating part.
“If there’s no contact then obviously VAR doesn’t review but they must have seen contact. And then for me if there’s contact then it’s a foul.”
Italiano was happy with the team’s “bounce back” in the second half.
“I’m not sure how many teams are coming back from 2-nil down away from home and they’re (Wanderers) are playing for their season.
“We made some changes at halftime… and I thought the players that came on gave us the difference.
“I feel like we probably could have won that in the end.”
Italiano made three changes to the side from the Waitangi Day defeat to Melbourne Victory, with Sarpreet Singh making his first appearance for the club in the best part of seven years.
However, he was forced from the field just after halftime with a knee injury.
Fit-again club captain Alex Rufer and Sheridan also returned to the starting side.
The draw lifts Wellington up one spot on the ladder to 10th, three points outside the top six.
The Phoenix’s next game is against Auckland FC in the sixth New Zealand derby.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
