3 minute read

A controversial red card proved crucial in Wellington's 1-1 A-League draw with Macarthur at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday.

Playing with 10 men, Wellington have extended their winless A-League run in NSW after a controversial 1-1 draw with Macarthur at Campbelltown Stadium.

The draw marked their seventh-straight game without a win in their adopted home state, while the Bulls are also yet to score a win in front of their new home fans.

Early dominance looked promising for the Phoenix, however, the game was marred by a controversial red card to Wellington's Alex Rufer for kicking out at the legs of midfielder Denis Genreau in a contest.

With the Nix leading 1-0 after 62 minutes, Genreau appeared to fall awkwardly but the VAR called for a review of the incident, and the referee deemed it dangerous enough to give Rufer his marching orders.

It proved crucial for the Nix who conceded soon after, Spaniard Markel Susaeta finding space and beating keeper Stefan Marinovic to level the scores.

"In my opinion it was a very soft red card," said a restrained Wellington coach Ufuk Talay.

"I know my players quite well and Rufer isn't that type of player.

"I wish he was that type of player, but he's not that type of player.

"It changed the game. We were quite comfortable in the first half and into the second half."

Bulls coach Ante Milicic would not comment on the call, saying he didn't see the incident closely enough.

He was however happy with an improved performance by the A-League's newest franchise.

"Today we got a point and it's a starting point with our supporters," he said.

"We definitely let them down six days ago (in the loss to Central Coast). We had an opportunity today to get it right but in the end we came home well."

There were injury concerns for the Nix late in the match when Marinovic went down with a groin injury. He will be assessed on Sunday.

Earlier, Nix star David Ball gave his side the lead with a goal after a sharp pass from James McGarry.

The Wollongong-based side have now been in Australia since the start of November, but due to border closures across the country will not play another game until January 24 when they face Newcastle at WIN Stadium.

The two-week break will be a hurdle for the side who are still developing match fitness just two games into the A-League season.

Meanwhile, Macarthur will also play the Jets in their next clash at McDonald Jones Stadium on January 17.