TEXI4898

Isabel Gomez in action for the Central Coast Mariners against Perth Glory in Round 19 of the 2024/25 A-League Women season. Photo: Texi Smith

Central Coast Mariners have secured their place in the A-League Women Grand Final after defeating Melbourne City 1-0 in the second leg of their semi-final meeting. 

The goal, scored by Isabel Gomez, that put the Mariners up 3-2 on aggregate was a controversial one to say the least. 

The play in the 121st minute of the game started with Mariners keeper Sarah Langman launching the ball into the middle of the park where Peta Trimis tipped it onto the run of Gomez, who chipped City’s keeper Malena Mieres, who was caught off her line. 

The only problem with this was that Gomez was offside.

“I’m going to be honest with you. I knew it was offside, but the flag didn’t go up and that’s football,” Central Coast Mariners coach Emily Husband said.

On the other side of the pitch, Melbourne City’s coach Michael Matricciani echoed Husband’s confession.

“Of course it’s offside. I could see from the dugout 45 metres away on a 45 degree angle,” he said.

In a league that does not have Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in place, even for finals, despite the A-League Men competition having VAR available for all games during the regular season as well as in finals, where does it go from here?

Having such a huge moment decided by an incorrect officiating call does every person involved in the league, from player to fan, a disservice. 

There’s no way to tell who would have won the game had it gone to the penalty shoot-out that looked like it was approaching, but it would have been the fairest result possible. 

All that is left now is for Central Coast to make their first ever A-League Women Grand Final appearance against Melbourne Victory on Sunday at AAMI Park at 3:15pm AEST, while for Melbourne City, they will have departed the country bound for Wuhan, China, hours before the Grand Final kicks-off, to appear in the semi-finals, and potentially final game of the Asian Women’s Champions League, which will have VAR available.

In the A-League Women Finals series where everything is on the line, having an extra set of eyes available through VAR is the least that could be done to ensure an unbiased and just result is awarded, especially when VAR is readily accessible for every A-League Men game played, final or otherwise.

But despite the fact his side was knocked out, the City coach seemed to have made peace with the decision.

“These things happen. Everyone makes mistakes,” Matricciani said.

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