Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says his team deserved a clear penalty in today’s dramatic 2-1 loss to Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium.
Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says his team deserved a clear penalty in today-s dramatic 2-1 loss to Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium.
The controversial call came in the 89th minute when Chris Harold-s header hit the arm of Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant.
“It hit his hand. It’s a definite penalty,” Ferguson said.
“It was a guaranteed penalty and we didn’t get it. I’m gobsmacked.”
Sydney FC coach Ian Crook agreed with his counterpart.
“I couldn-t argue with Fergie and say if I was in the same position then I would-ve been screaming for a penalty, I must admit,” Crook said.
In a pulsating game that Perth Glory dominated in the first half with a slick display of passing and a brilliant solo goal by Travis Dodd, the visitors came unstuck after the break.
A foul by Steve Pantelidis on Brett Emerton resulted in a red card and penalty that was converted by Italian super star Alessandro Del Piero.
Then on 70 minutes, Socceroo Brett Emerton pounced on a rare Glory mistake to give Sydney the lead with a delicate chip.
Despite playing the final thirty minutes with ten men, Perth Glory finished the game stronger and substitute Chris Harold was unlucky not to earn his team a deserved point.
Harold-s pace down the left wing lifted his side and aside from the penalty claim, Harold also had a stinging shot brilliantly saved by Ivan Necevski at the death.
Earlier Dodd had given Perth Glory the lead in the 18th minute with a stunning goal. Receiving the ball just inside his attacking half, Dodd sprinted past the Sydney defence before coolly slotting home past Necevski.
