Western United manager Mark Rudan insists that his side were “robbed” of two points in the recent 0-0 draw with Melbourne Victory.
The Wyndham club were playing their first home game at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium – the Victory stronghold – while they wait for theirs to be constructed in Tarneit.
While Grant Brebner’s men showed good intent and played a positive first-half, their former striker Besart Berisha had found the back of the net only to have that written off as Connor Pain was adjudged to have been offside using VAR technology.
Meanwhile, the decision made by the linesman to raise his flag to rule out a goal scored by Dylan Pierias in the 77th minute was at the forefront of Rudan’s unhappiness. The former Wellington Phoenix boss insisted that refereeing was not up to scratch and took a swipe at VAR technology in the process.
“I just thought we were robbed today – simple as that,” Rudan said.
“We dropped two points – should never have.”
While VAR appeared to show that the referee made the right call, the decision was a lot closer than one would have thought initially.
But Rudan claimed that the number of cameras being used for VAR technology meant that it is not as accurate as it is supposed to be.
He added: “Keep your flag down. You’ve got the ability to go back and have a look at VAR – if you need it.
“He chose not to do that and they bring the goal back and disallow it for offside.
“I couldn’t believe that at such a huge turning point of the game.
“Technology’s killing us. Any other day of the week that stays onside because you’ve got to go with the attacking side.”
Western United will travel to take on Central Coast Mariners in Gosford next Sunday.
