Crucial penalty decision in top of the table A-League clash was wrong, says FA panel
Lachlan Avil 
Neydar Moreno in action for Auckland FC. Photo: Marcus Robertson / Round Ball Australia.
The weekly referees review panel has found that the first penalty awarded on Saturday for Louis Verstraete’s trip on Ethan Alagich should not have been given and that VAR should not have intervened.
In his post-match press conference after their 4-4 draw with Adelaide United, Auckland FC coach Steve Corica said he was more disappointed about “some of the decisions made by the referee” than the fact that his side couldn’t hold onto their lead late on in the match.
“For me, [the penalty decisions] were both soft, and were wrong in my opinion, and that changed the game,” he said.
“I’m pretty sure tomorrow we might get an apology as well, like we did in the first game in Adelaide, when they scored their goal. Should have been a foul on Callen Elliot and we got an apology the next day.
“But it doesn’t take back the four points that we should have had extra.”
Those comments were at least somewhat vindicated on Tuesday. According to a Football Australia statement provided to the New Zealand Herald, the Alagich incident fell below the contact threshold and Daniel Elder’s original call of play on should have stood.
The second penalty on Stefan Mauk was confirmed to have been correct by FA.
What this whole scenario has done is further pour fuel onto the burgeoning rivalry between these two clubs in the early pages of this particular history book.
From two games which have both had top-of-the-table ramifications, we’ve been treated to 12 goals, four in second half extra time, two draws and plenty of additional drama and spirit.
Adelaide’s major regular season fixture against Melbourne Victory, the Original Rivalry, is perhaps the best example of an A-League rivalry that was in large part created by the on-field clashes between the two teams, rather than just a simple cross-town rivalry.
With another clash against each other seemingly probable in this season’s finals series, perhaps Adelaide vs Auckland can be another rivalry born out of on field battles.