Grant Brebner believes that Melbourne Victory did not steal a point due to refereeing decisions during the 0-0 draw with Western United.
The men in blue played well and with positive intent in the first-half, but were unable to capitalise on the chances created in the attacking third. But following the break, it was United who established dominance in a game of two halves.
During that evening, United skipper Alessandro Diamanti was denied by the crossbar on two occasions, while VAR ruled out efforts from Besart Berisha and Dylan Pierias.
Pierias’ effort in particular caused the Wyndham outfit’s manager Mark Rudan to believe that his side had been “robbed” of a point on the evening.
“Do I think we’ve robbed a point?” Brebner told reporters, when quizzed about his opposite number’s post-match reaction.
“Was it [Pierias’ goal] offside?
“We’ve come in at nil-nil [0-0]. We’ve spent long enough looking at the videos. Why would I think any different?”
Victory were at the receiving end of a VAR decision earlier in the season during the 3-1 defeat to Brisbane Roar, as the first goal of that game – scored by striker Scott McDonald – had seen the linesman flag for offside.
However, VAR later showed that defender Nick Ansell had in fact played the ageing forward onside, as the initial decision was reversed and Brisbane took the lead in a game that would end 3-1 in favour of the Roar.
Brebner added: “We’ve had a VAR decision against us this year. It went against us when the decision was the other way.
“That’s what it is for.”
Melbourne Victory travel to take on Brisbane Roar at the Dolphin Stadium on Saturday.
