Harry Kewell, the former Liverpool player and current manager of Yokohama Marinos, expressed his frustration with the referee after his team’s defeat in the AFC Champions League. Kewell claimed that his side was “robbed” due to the referee’s poor performance.
Yokohama Marinos had made it to the final of the AFC Champions League, the most prestigious club competition in Asian football. Unlike the European version, this final is played over two legs, allowing both teams to play at home. The first leg took place at Yokohama Marinos’ home ground, where they finished with a 2-1 advantage.
However, in the second leg held in Abu Dhabi, Yokohama Marinos suffered a devastating defeat, losing 5-1 to Al Ain. The overall aggregate score ended at 6-3 in favor of Al Ain.
The turning point in the match came when Yokohama Marinos’ goalkeeper was sent off, leaving them with only 10 players for the second half. Kewell was outraged by the referee’s decision, claiming that he fell for Al Ain’s theatrics.
Despite his disappointment, Kewell praised his players for their fantastic performance. He criticized the refereeing decisions, describing them as shocking and terrible. Kewell also expressed his disappointment that the game was not fair enough to put on a good show for their traveling fans.
Looking at the statistics, the referee awarded nine fouls against Yokohama Marinos and eight in their favor. Additionally, two yellow cards were shown to Al Ain’s players. However, these numbers did little to ease Kewell’s frustration.
In the end, it was Hernan Crespo, the coach of Al Ain, who lifted the trophy. Interestingly, this victory came exactly 19 years after Crespo and Kewell faced each other in the Champions League final in Istanbul.
While Kewell’s comments may raise questions about his sportsmanship, it is important to consider the emotions and disappointment that come with a defeat in such a high-stakes competition. Refereeing decisions can have a significant impact on the outcome of a match, and it is not uncommon for managers to voice their frustrations in the heat of the moment.
Nevertheless, Kewell’s criticism highlights the importance of fair officiating in football and the need for referees to make unbiased decisions. It also underscores the emotional investment that managers, players, and fans have in these competitions.
As Yokohama Marinos reflect on their journey in the AFC Champions League, they can take pride in reaching the final and recognize the areas where improvement is needed. The experience gained from competing at such a high level will undoubtedly benefit the team in future endeavors.