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Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic has hit out at the match officials and believes they cost his side all three points against Sydney FC.
Victory are priced at 5/2 to win the 2021/22 A-League grand final and have got off to a solid start under the leadership of their new coach Popovic.
They did however have to settle for a 2-2 draw against Sydney on Tuesday night and an angry Popovic says that is the fault of referee Alireza Faghani and his assistants.
Victory were leading 2-1 with nine minutes to go when Sydney rescued a share of the points thanks to a goal from Brazilian strike star Bobo who struck after the home side failed to deal with a corner.
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Popovic believes his side should have been awarded a free kick before the ball went out for a corner and he picked up a yellow card after venting his anger.
He hadn't calmed down much after the final whistle either and vented his anger to reporters.
"The way it finished in the end leaves a sour taste. We hit the lead and it never should have been a corner in that situation," Popovic blasted.
"The simplest decision of the night, the referee and the linesman between the two of them couldn't make a very, very basic, simple decision.
"That linesman on our side was constantly lifting his flag for a foul he thought the referee didn't see and he thought 'okay, I'll help you out, this is a foul.'
"On that occasion, between the two of them they can't see that it's a clear foul.The simplest decision of the night, and it cost us."
Meanwhile Victory have also been hit by the news Rai Marchan is looking at a decent spell on the sidelines following an aerial head clash with teammate Jason Geria.
As well as concussion, Marchan appears to have suffered facial fractures and Popovic said he will be "out for a while".
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