Jonathan Bead
Wild Brawl in A-League as Socceroos Teenage Prodigy Spark Controversy and Western Sydney Lose to Adelaide
In an intense matchup between Adelaide United and Western Sydney, Adelaide claimed the coveted second stop on the A-League Men ladder with a triumphant 3-2 win. However, the game’s talking point was the brawl that erupted at the game’s end, which saw Western Sydney’s captain Marcelo sent off after placing Adelaide’s Nestory Irankunda, the 17-year-old Socceroos starlet, in a headlock.
The incident came only days after Irankunda’s drafting into the Socceroos coach Graham Arnold’s squad for two friendlies against Ecuador this month. Western Sydney coach Marko Rudan expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee’s handling of the situation, criticising the lack of consistency with the officiating.
The game’s defining moments came in stoppage time as both sides clamoured for a late goal. Wanderers’ Kusini Yengi levelled the score at 1-1 before halftime, but Ben Warland headed Adelaide in front. Warland’s second goal from a corner and a well-taken goal from Hiroshi Ibusuki made for a comfortable lead of two goals.
However, Marcelo’s joy was short-lived as his aggressive reaction to Irankunda’s push saw him sent off. Rudan defended his player, stating that Marcelo was only defending his teammate and that Irankunda was equally deserving of a red card.
Adelaide coach Carl Veart defended his player, saying that Irankunda needed to learn to control his emotions while Rudan criticised the lack of intervention from the referee at the brawl’s onset. The match’s fiery finish had fans divided over the incident, with some blaming Irankunda for his rash actions and others feeling that Marcelo’s reaction was excessive.
Wanderers captain Marcelo faces a suspension in the aftermath of the match, leaving his team’s chances of catching up to Melbourne City in jeopardy. The result has brought Adelaide United a step closer to the A-League Men ladder’s top spot, trailing only one point behind Melbourne City.
Original Post Link
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings