Did VAR miss another crucial call in Phoenix defeat?

VAR is once again in the hot seat as Wellington Phoenix supporters cry foul over a ‘missed push’ that lead to a game-changing goal during their 2-0 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers.

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It was all Wellington as the clock hit 65 minutes at WIN Stadium in Wollongong. The side, which was looking to continue their 13-game unbeaten streak, was building constant pressure and looking to strike against the Wanderers as the score stood at 0-0.

But as we all know, the game of football can change very quickly and just a few minutes later it was ex-Wellington striker Tomer Hemed who was celebrating with his new team as Western Sydney took a 1-0 lead.

The goal came from a free-kick, bouncing off Bernie Ibini’s head before landing at the feet of Hemed, who for some reason was completely unmarked and had an open goal in front of him.

Goalkeeper Oliver Sail was also nowhere to be seen as he had fallen down while trying to punch the ball away.

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Hemed didn’t mess around, quickly tapping the ball towards the open goal. But just as he seemed to give his team the lead, Phoenix defender James McGarry seemingly saved his team, kicking the ball away just before it crossed the line. Or had he? 

As the game continued Hemed and his teammates made desperate pleas that the ball had actually crossed the line. A few replays on the big screen later and VAR decided they needed to step in to take a look.

This is where things get messy.

After reviewing a couple of angles it was clear that the ball had in fact crossed the line, and the goal was awarded.

However, what caught the eye of Nix fans and players alike is what looked like a push by Hemed on Nix defender Callan Elliot. The claimed push forced Elliot to the ground and also into the landing area of keeper Sail.

Tomer Hemed 🎯#WELvWSW #WeAreALeagues

🎥 – @10FootballAU pic.twitter.com/IoezCDTPcv

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) December 3, 2021

Now if you’re a Nix fan, I’m sure you would argue that this ‘clear’ push not only left Hemed unmarked at the far post but it is also the reason Sail missed his attempted punch as he was taken out by Elliot who fell where Sail was intending to land. 

On the other hand, a Wanders fan would likely disagree claiming that Elliot overplayed the fall and could have easily stayed on his feet. 

However, what seems to be not up for debate is that VAR didn’t even take a look at the push, instead, focusing solely on if the ball had crossed the line or not. 

This lack of effort to even investigate why Elliot had found himself on the turf is what frustrated Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay, who thought that the push should not only have been looked at, but it was clear and obvious.

“In my opinion a poor decision by the referee with a foul on Callan Elliot inside the box that lead to their first goal,” he said.

“It was an obvious call that they got wrong.”

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Now it could be a case of VAR not getting the call wrong, but rather not even noticing the push had happened, as the focus was on if the ball had crossed the line or not. However, if this in fact is the case it is still not good enough in the eyes of the Nix coach. 

“VAR was probably looking if the ball had crossed the line or if it is off-side so in my opinion that is why they may have missed the push,” said Talay.

“There are mistakes in the game, players make a thousand mistakes but I think that in those situations the officials can’t get it wrong.”

Talay also suggested that these VAR mishaps effect more than just the result of one game, that they have an impact on the overall brand of the A-Leagues. He stated that there will be a ‘discussion with the board’ on whether or not the club takes the issue further.

“I think that if we want to showcase great football in this league, the referees and VAR who get to take lots of looks need to make good calls,” he said.

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Western Sydney Wanderers coach Carl Robinson took a much more relaxed approach when discussing the alleged miss-call.

“I’ve not seen the video yet and I don’t know if he’s pushed him,” he said.

“If he has then it is one that has been missed but sometimes you get calls and then sometimes you don’t, that’s football.”

After the goal was given, Western Sydney never looked back, dominating the rest of the match and even adding a second in the final minutes when Oli Sail was forced up field for a last ditch Phoenix corner.

The debate on whether or not Elliot was pushed has already begun on Twitter and other social media platforms. With so much riding on every game it is somewhat disappointing that these debates take place so often

It is not just a waiting game to see if Ufuk and his club take this issue any further but either way Western Sydney walk away with the three points and put an end to Wellington’s unbeaten run at 13.

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