Western Sydney Wanderers have now beaten derby rivals Sydney FC twice this season and their performance on Friday night should have been about the mini-revival at the club.
Instead, a late kick to the head of Sydney substitute Marco Tilio forced Wanderers fullback Daniel Georgievski to be sent from the field following VAR intervention.
The notoriously passionate Macedonian has a history of getting involved in off-the-ball incidents and this example did not impress Sydney boss Steve Corica.
Corica blasted Georgievski in the sheds post-match and made clear he thought the decision was spot on.
“I thought he deserved his red card for kicking out,” he said.
“He’s a competitor but obviously he has made a mistake.
“We can’t have that, especially in the face.”
Newly-appointed caretaker Wanderers coach Jean-Paul de Marigny was expectedly thrilled with how his side played against the league-leaders.
He showed disappointment in Georgievski but reiterated his competitive spirit as something which is hard to contain.
“Danny’s Danny,” he said.
“He’s a great competitor, he’s a winner, he’s a top pro.
“At times he tends to have a brain explosion and that is all it was.”
When asked if Georgievski’s temper could be controlled, de Marigny was not so certain.
“That is something we’ll discuss with him,” he said.
“Staying calm is a big thing.
“I want to give them (the players) the freedom to express themselves and if that’s the price we pay then I’m prepared to do that.”
On the field, Wanderers captain Mitchell Duke scored the winner against the Sky Blues for the second time this season.
Born and raised in Western Sydney, he is quickly becoming a derby cult hero.
de Marigny insists it’s all due to the enjoyable environment at the club currently.
“He represents the region, the fans, and everyone involved at the football club,” he said.
“He feels every moment of it (the derby).”
Feature image credit: supplied
