COACH John Aloisi said a lack of camera angles at AAMI Park potentially cost Western United a decisive penalty before spectacular strikes from Hamza Sakhi and Terry Antonis consigned them to a 2-1 ALM defeat to Melbourne City.<\/p>\n
Leading after Michael Ruhs’ 13th minute opener, United appealed for handball against Scott Galloway three minutes into the second half following multiple Daniel Penha attempts on goal<\/p>\n
The incident, however, passed without referee Ben Abraham being called over to review it on the pitch-side monitor.<\/p>\n
“The beginning of the second half was a clear handball but [Abraham and fourth official Adam Bavcar] said there were not enough camera angles to see if it was a handball or not,” Aloisi said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a definite handball because his arms are out. I don’t know how many camera angles you need.”<\/p>\n
Sakhi equalised for City just three minutes later, lacing a 25-metre half-volley into the top corner after United failed to clear a corner.<\/p>\n
Antonis then won the game in the 83rd minute when he rifled in a first time effort from the top of the box.<\/p>\n
“I think anyone that was watching knows that we deserved more out of that game,” said Aloisi.<\/p>\n
“We were good, we were very good against a very good side.”<\/p>\n
United had logged a promising start when Angus Thurgate ghosted behind City’s lines, swivelled to face goal and dropped a cross onto Ruhs at the back post.<\/p>\n
Their compact midfield and well-organised defence, meanwhile, were making it difficult for City to fashion high-quality chances only a week after they’d romped to an 8-1 win over Brisbane.<\/p>\n
“We were terrible in the first half but that was due to some great pressure, great work and great intensity from the opposition,” said City coach Aurelio Vidmar.<\/p>\n
“For the purist, probably wasn’t the greatest of games. But we found a way to win and I think that’s important.”<\/p>\n
Unbeaten in eight matches, City rise to fourth on the table but will now sweat on the fitness of Sakhi and Marin Jakolis after both limped off.<\/p>\n
United, meanwhile, remain bottom of the league with two wins and nine losses.<\/p>\n
“I don’t understand how we’ve lost nine games, I really don’t,” said Aloisi. “But, we have, so we have to deal with it and try and make sure that we rectify it.”<\/p>\n