Sports

Muscat confused by video review as Victory lose to Wellington

Coach Kevin Muscat sounded simultaneously resigned, disappointed and slightly confused as he discussed the A-League's video assistant review (VAR) process after Melbourne Victory's 2-1 loss to Wellington.

Victory's chances of a win over the Phoenix were cruelled after defender Rhys Williams was red-carded in the eighth minute for his tackle on Andrija Kaludjerovic as Wellington's Serbian striker broke through on goal.

Although Kosta Barbarouses pounced to give Melbourne a 1-0 half-time lead, Roy Krishna's 64th-minute strike and a Mark Milligan own goal secured Wellington's win.

Referee Matthew Conger had initially shown Williams the yellow card, but went to the VAR before upgrading to red after the review showed the central defender's foul had stopped a clear goalscoring opportunity.

"There's no point me analysing that because it's out of our control," Muscat said.

"First and foremost, we'll analyse how we got ourselves into that situation, and why, and how we can get better.

"It's a little bit confusing, but there's no point going on about it."

Football Federation Australia last month sent an edict emphasising that the VAR was in place only to identity "clear and obvious errors", not to re-referee games.

Muscat agreed that, in retrospect, Williams's sending off was correct.

"So are we going to say that ultimately the correct decision was made? Because it was — I don't think Rhys got anything on the ball, and he was the last man," he said.

"But the referee made a decision, he gave him a yellow card."

An offside call against Krishna late in the first half provided a similar example, with a Phoenix goal disallowed after the linesman incorrectly flagged the Fijian striker as offside.

In that situation, Wellington coach Darije Kalezic said an argument could be made for using the VAR.

"Sometimes, for me, it is not understandable why they take such a fast decision when they have the possibility to watch it back," he said.

Muscat agreed.

"The rules state, if they're close, let it go, let the action finish and if he's offside we can come back. Once you blow your whistle, you can't come back," the Victory coach said.

"I'm just saying, that's another error, based on the rules. Maybe there are just too many rules now."

AAP

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