Head Coach Grant Brebner believes Elvis Kamsoba’s red card in Victory’s 3-0 defeat against Sydney FC was a harsh decision by the A-League officials.
Victory went down to ten men in the first half at AAMI Park, after the forward was shown a second yellow for a challenge on Sydney’s Paulo Retre.
Ten minutes later, Bobo broke the deadlock for the away side before Sydney added two more through Kosta Barbarouses and Alexander Baumjohann.
Following a difficult night against the Sky Blues, Breber shared his thoughts in the post-match press conference.
On Kamsoba’s first yellow card…
“Possibly they are both yellow cards. Where I sit, I have no problem with the fourth official intervening to suggest a yellow card but at what point do we draw the line. Will the fourth official step in for every tackle now and give his opinion. I understand if it is a straight red but to stop the game and tell the referee it should’ve been a yellow – then it needs to happen every time.
“A few weeks ago, Marco Rojas broke his nose for something a lot worse than Elvis’ challenge and I didn’t see the fourth official say anything.”
On Kamsoba’s red card…
“I’m not going to tell him not to tackle. I don’t think it was a bad tackle. There wasn’t much in it but it was it was harsh to go down to ten men and the manner of the two yellow cards.”
On the match…
“It was a cagey affair. They hit the post. Adama Traore hit the post. At that point, 11 vs 11 and us playing at home – I think we had a very good opportunity to win the game. It just becomes a real uphill battle when we lost a man.”
On team spirit…
“We’ll keep fighting. We need to find a way. It’s another difficult result for us to take tonight and the manner of goals as well. There’s a game next week against Newcastle and we will give it our all.”
On injured players…
“Marco is a huge loss for us as well. We’re looking to get Rudy Gestede back for next weekend. Leigh Broxham we’re hopeful. Marco Rojas is still a number of weeks and Ryan Shotton is a number of weeks.”
