 |
|
Queensland coach's blast to test Football Australia [Sun Sep 18th, 2005]
Queensland coach Miron Bleiberg will offer an interesting referee-bashing test case for the A-League after his 10-man side were held to a dramatic draw by Melbourne.
Bleiberg will find out first hand if the Football Federation Australia are as touchy as the AFL and NRL, who both hand out heavy fines for post-match pastings.
Bleiberg left reporters in no doubt that he was upset at the officiating of Canberra referee Ben Williams after the Victory escaped with a 1-1 result in a free-flowing encounter at Suncorp Stadium.
He was particularly appalled by the sending off of standout midfielder Matt McKay in the 39th minute and Melbourne's late equaliser, both of which had him questioning Williams' qualifications and objectivity.
Striker Daniel Allsopp scored in the 88th minute after Queensland had bravely held a 1-0 lead for almost half an hour in front of 15,444 fans.
The goal was clouded in doubt as the Roar defenders hesitated when star forward Archie Thompson returned to the play from an off-side position.
Bleiberg was also aggrieved because, he claimed, the movement was sparked by an elbow jab on Massimo Murdocca which forced a turnover.
But it was Todd Gava's mistake which allowed Vince Lia to pounce and cross for Allsopp to shoot past keeper Tom Willis at close range.
The Brisbane crowd jeered Williams, 28, off the pitch and Bleiberg continued the inquisition, albeit in a measured manner, after play.
"People at home saw (Melbourne's goal) 10 times better than me so who am I to judge? But, according to me, Massimo got punched one metre from the linesman that started the attack and everyone froze for a moment," he said.
"And then ... Archie Thompson, the ball passed by him and he was off-side so our defence stopped and he just moved his body and allowed the ball through for Allsopp to score.
"It was using the new passive offside law to the extreme. It's obviously disappointing - so close, so far."
Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick took issue with criticism of the goal, saying Thompson caused no interference.
McKay's send-off came for a late and clumsy tackle on Steve Pantelidis only 20 seconds after Victory midfielder Richard Kitzbichler hit the right post in the best chance of the first half.
"It was completely unnecessary and basically it's ruined our game," Bleiberg said of the red card.
"We've got from the same referee (in total in three games) two red cards and 11 yellow and if some one would tell us that we are a violent or ruthless team I disagree.
"Either it's circumstances, either he's a good referee and it's just happened ... but he doesn't give us much good luck this referee, and again I didn't criticise him, you are my witness."
Despite the one-man disadvantage, the Roar still attacked, caught the Victory on the hop several times and were unlucky to lose.
Fiery striker Michael Baird broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute when he put the finishing touches on a beautiful counter-attack by Karl Dodd and Alex Brosque.
The shared points allowed Melbourne (3) off the bottom of the table, while the Roar (5) sit in fourth.
AAP
News headlines from around the world.