Coaches Tony Popovic and Kevin Muscat were at odds over the penalty that helped Perth Glory beat Melbourne Victory 2-1 in the meeting of the A-League's top two sides.
Perth went ahead when they were awarded a penalty, as Neil Kilkenny's pass into the penalty area struck Corey Brown on the hand.
Brown was close to Kilkenny and didn't move his arm or hand, but referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot and a VAR referral upheld the decision.
Kilkenny took the spot-kick himself and beat keeper Lawrence Thomas, with the league leaders doubling their advantage eight minutes later through Diego Castro's volley.
Muscat said he'd spoken to Gillett after the game and been told full-back Brown had moved his hand towards the ball.
"Clearly Corey's only a metre away and I've watched the replay - Corey hasn't moved his hand," said the Victory coach. "So what it does do now is any time any ball hits someone in the hand in the box, every team's gonna expect a penalty.
"And that gave them a little bit of momentum and it was a goal that could have been avoided from our perspective."
Popovic, whose team have now opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the table over Victory, said he felt the decision was correct.
"I haven't seen the replay, but I did see it on screen and look, I'm not surprised he gave it," he said. "Once he gave it, I didn't expect it to be overturned, so that was it."
With nine rounds left Perth are in prime position to win their first major trophy since the NSL championship in 2004.
Popovic said it was premature to regard the win as decisive in the battle for the Premiers' Plate, despite it being the Glory's second of the campaign away to Muscat's side.
The Glory are 15/8 to win the Grand Final, with the Victory available at 9/4.
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Coaches Tony Popovic and Kevin Muscat were at odds over the penalty that helped Perth Glory beat Melbourne Victory 2-1 in the meeting of the A-League's top two sides.
Perth went ahead when they were awarded a penalty, as Neil Kilkenny's pass into the penalty area struck Corey Brown on the hand.
Brown was close to Kilkenny and didn't move his arm or hand, but referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot and a VAR referral upheld the decision.
Kilkenny took the spot-kick himself and beat keeper Lawrence Thomas, with the league leaders doubling their advantage eight minutes later through Diego Castro's volley.
Muscat said he'd spoken to Gillett after the game and been told full-back Brown had moved his hand towards the ball.
"Clearly Corey's only a metre away and I've watched the replay - Corey hasn't moved his hand," said the Victory coach. "So what it does do now is any time any ball hits someone in the hand in the box, every team's gonna expect a penalty.
"And that gave them a little bit of momentum and it was a goal that could have been avoided from our perspective."
Popovic, whose team have now opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the table over Victory, said he felt the decision was correct.
"I haven't seen the replay, but I did see it on screen and look, I'm not surprised he gave it," he said. "Once he gave it, I didn't expect it to be overturned, so that was it."
With nine rounds left Perth are in prime position to win their first major trophy since the NSL championship in 2004.
Popovic said it was premature to regard the win as decisive in the battle for the Premiers' Plate, despite it being the Glory's second of the campaign away to Muscat's side.
The Glory are 15/8 to win the Grand Final, with the Victory available at 9/4.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com