“Wanderers Boss Outraged by Derby Decision ‘I’ve Never Seen Before’”

Western Sydney Wanderers’ coach Alen Stajcic is convinced that his team didn’t receive the breaks they deserved during Saturday night’s Sydney Derby, as they allowed a late two-goal lead to slip, resulting in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Sydney FC.

A fortunate own goal from Rhyan Grant and a brace from former Sky Blues youth player Zac Sapsford had the Wanderers in a strong position, leading 3-1 as the match neared its conclusion.

However, late goals from substitute Adrian Segecic and Anthony Caceres saw the Sky Blues steal a point in a gripping encounter witnessed by a substantial crowd at Allianz Stadium.

Ultimately, the Wanderers could have and perhaps should have secured a much better outcome, having controlled significant portions of the match against their rivals. Stajcic expressed his disbelief over some refereeing choices that he felt were pivotal.

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One particular moment that drew Stajcic’s ire was the failure to award a penalty for what appeared to be a handball by Sky Blues captain Grant in the 58th minute.

“We experienced a handball incident with (Jack) Clisby against Melbourne Victory, which was previously clarified to us earlier in the season, and that’s why I’m confused about the handball rule now,” Stajcic mentioned during his post-match press conference.

“Jon Moss, our Head of Referees, provided us with a clear example stating that such handballs weren’t considered penalties. It was nearly identical to Clisby’s case, and we suffered a late penalty that cost us two points. Rhyan Grant’s incident today mirrored that one closely for me.”

“I fail to see how they’re treated differently. That was 3-1, potentially 4-1, and it would have made it a lot more challenging for them to stage a comeback. These are key decisions in matches like this.”

“I’m not sure what the final foul count was, but this season we’ve consistently lost out on that front, to the point where I can’t keep track,” Stajcic remarked when questioned about the match incidents.

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“However, I can say that in the final 20 minutes, it was easily seven or eight to one in their favour; it felt like every decision went their way, which gave them the momentum they needed.”

He added: “That yellow card for the goalkeeper came out faster than any I’ve seen this year,” referring to referee Shaun Evans’ booking of keeper Lawrence Thomas for time wasting in the 85th minute.

“We had that ridiculous match against Brisbane, where their players wasted time for all of 45 minutes, and here Lawrence Thomas gets a yellow card for taking three seconds to move the ball from one side of the pitch to the other.”

“I thought Speedy Gonzalez was out there, given how quickly the card was brandished.”

“I haven’t seen anything like that all season. In our last encounter with Sydney FC, (Andrew) Redmayne took 15 minutes for each goal kick, and it was similar at Wanderers as well.”

“It’s absurd that Lawrence Thomas could be booked for merely moving the ball in a matter of seconds. I genuinely don’t understand how such inconsistencies can occur.”

“Such inconsistency is simply unacceptable. It should not happen in a match of this magnitude.”

The draw leaves the Wanderers in eighth place on the ladder, just two points adrift of the top six.