Perth Glory has rallied behind star import Adrian Trinidad after the Argentine was the focus of an ugly tirade from Newcastle coach Gary Van Egmond and several Jets players following a 2-2 draw at Members Equity Stadium on Sunday.
Perth Glory has rallied behind star import Adrian Trinidad after the Argentine was the focus of an ugly tirade from Newcastle coach Gary Van Egmond and several Jets players following a 2-2 draw at Members Equity Stadium on Sunday.
Trinidad was one of the architects in Glory-s late equaliser which secured a point for Perth in injury time against the reigning Hyundai A-League Champions. Referee Matthew Breeze awarded a penalty after Trinidad and Jets captain Jade North collided in the box and Eugene Dadi stepped up to convert from the spot.
Van Egmond let his frustrations be known after the final whistle when he stormed onto the pitch, initially confronting Breeze before turning his attention to Trinidad.
“We-re disappointed that the Jets coach vented his own frustrations at one of our players,” said Glory CEO Scott Gooch.
“In our view, and the view of the referee, there was a penalty there and that is what was awarded.”
Football Federation Australia yesterday informed Newcastle that authorities are reviewing Van Egmond-s post-match response while Perth officials have sent a letter to FFA expressing their disappointment in the events following the final whistle.
“If he (Van Egmond) was claiming that one of our players was showing a lack of sportsmanship he probably needs to look a little bit closer to home,” Mr Gooch said.
“Adrian knows that we-re supporting him fully, he goes out and performs within the spirit of the game and gives everything for Perth Glory and our fans.
“The players are a tight knit group and they-re all giving their support to Adrian. He is a fantastic character and enjoying his time here in Perth. From a club point of view we recruited Adrian as a quality player and he-s a quality person to match,” said Mr Gooch.
Trinidad, who joined Perth in the off-season and speaks limited English, is a passionate professional who has a deep love for the game. He insisted that any allegations of simulation were well off the mark and his only intent on the pitch was to achieve positive results for the Glory and to do so within the spirit of the game.
“I-m a professional and I try to do my best for the team,” Trinidad said.
“I play the game fairly and I-m disappointed if people think of me in another way.
“I didn-t think it was right for the Jets coach to come out on to the ground. He was saying a few things, and there were other players saying a few things, but I didn-t understand too much.
“I was focused on the ball and I felt that I was fouled. It was in the penalty area and the referee made his decision and that was the end of it for me,” said Trinidad.
Team mate Adriano Pellegrino said the squad have given Trinidad their full support and together turned their attention to the club-s next challenge against Queensland in a fortnight.
“Adrian was a bit upset because everyone was barking up at him after the game,” Pellegrino said.
“It is hard for Adrian, he doesn-t speak a lot of English and the Newcastle boys were having a word to him after the penalty happened.
“At the end of the day he (Jade North) has made contact with Adrian in the box and the ref has given it, the penalty was awarded and that-s all there is to it.”
