Auckland FC will be missing two crucial players, Louis Verstraete and Nando Pijnaker, for their upcoming fixture against Central Coast Mariners following the suspensions announced by Football Australia’s independent Match Review Panel (MRP).
Verstraete received a direct red card during Sunday’s 1-1 stalemate with Newcastle Jets in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
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The Belgian midfielder was sent off with just 15 minutes left to play at McDonald Jones Stadium, having caught Newcastle’s Charles M’Mombwa with his studs in a controversial challenge in the middle of the park.
Upon reviewing the weekend’s events, the MRP determined that Verstraete had committed an offence classified as “Serious Foul Play (e.g. when challenging for the ball)”, resulting in a minimum one-match suspension.
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Consequently, the 25-year-old will be sidelined for league-leading Auckland’s clash against reigning champions Central Coast on Sunday, but he will be back in the mix for the match against Brisbane Roar on March 30.
In addition to Verstraete, Auckland manager Steve Corica will also be without Pijnaker, who has received his fifth yellow card of the season.
Like his teammate, Pijnaker will be eligible to return for the showdown with Brisbane after completing his one-match suspension.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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