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Steinebrunner launches stinging attack on referee

SINGAPORE — Warriors FC head coach Jorg Steinebrunner stormed into the conference room after his side’s 4-2 defeat to Tampines Rovers at the Jurong West Stadium on Saturday night (April 30) and took his seat in front of the assembled media.

Referee Farhad Mohd whose red card to Yazid Yasin infuriated Jorg Steinebrunner. Photo: S. League

Referee Farhad Mohd whose red card to Yazid Yasin infuriated Jorg Steinebrunner. Photo: S. League

SINGAPORE — Warriors FC head coach Jorg Steinebrunner stormed into the conference room after his side’s 4-2 defeat to Tampines Rovers at the Jurong West Stadium on Saturday night (April 30) and took his seat in front of the assembled media.

Without any prompting or hesitation, the 44-year-old immediately lashed out at match referee Farhad Mohd.

“It is sh*t refereeing isn’t it? I am absolutely pissed! How many years have passed and yet this is the standard of refereeing (in S.League matches),” blasted the German.

“It’s a f*****g disgrace what is happening out there.”

A furious Jorg Steinebrunner did not mince his words after the match. Photo: S.League

Steinebrunner was referring to a controversial red card for Warriors goalkeeper Yazid Yasin in the 50th minute that completely changed the complexion of the match.

The nine-time S.League champions were leading 2-1 at that point thanks to late first-half goals from Hafiz Nor and Ridhuan Muhamad after Billy Mehmet had given the Stags the lead, but Yazid was sent off for allegedly bringing down national striker Fazrul Nawaz in the penalty area.

Farhad pointed straight to the penalty spot without a second thought before consulting his linesman on whether Yazid warranted a red.

The duo deliberated for a good three minutes before the 36-year-old was shown his marching orders, much to his dismay, and the fury of his coach.

Star signing Jermaine Pennant, who came on at half time, went on to convert the resulting penalty, sending substitute goalkeeper Zainol Gulam the wrong way for his third goal of the season.

“The team is playing well, we are 2-1 up and he gives a penalty and sends off the goalkeeper, there is nothing else to say isn’t there?” explained Steinebrunner.

“If you want to win a game in football, you just need to have Farhad as the referee and you win the game. It’s a f*****g disgrace in any league in the world. There were five or six players inside the box and he sends him off. Suddenly you are one player less, you have to change formation and personnel.”

He added, “I am going to see what the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) referee’s department is going to do.

“Are they going to keep quiet or do something in the name of football? Because if that happens in Europe, that fellow (Farhad) won’t be refereeing for the next six months.”

When asked, Fazrul felt it should not have been a red card for Yazid but he could not be sure if he felt any contact from the veteran goalkeeper.

“Whether there was contact on me or not, I can’t be sure because I was in a daze as I was not feeling too well prior to this match,” said the 31-year-old.

“However I definitely feel that it is not a red card because there was a defender in the penalty area, so to be fair to Yazid, he was not the last man and it should not have been a red card for him.

“I spoke to Yazid and apologised to him after the incident. In the end the referee and linesman made the decision together.”

For Tampines however, it was a much welcomed win after a miserable last two weeks saw the five-time S.League champions in the news for cash-flow issues, as well as a shocking 3-2 defeat away to Sheikh Jamal DC from Bangladesh that left their hopes of reaching the AFC Cup last 16 hanging by a thread.

In the words of chairman Krishna Ramachandra after the match, “We needed this win.”

His side almost took the lead in the seventh minute when midfielder Izzdin Shafiq shot from 30m out, only for Yazid to get a hand onto his effort and tip it onto the bar.

Warriors midfielder Nikola Rak then had a go from distance in the 15th minute after picking up a loose ball but his effort went way over.

The home side had two golden opportunities to take the lead within the space of a minute.

Fullback Ismadi Mukhtar put in a brilliant cross into the penalty area in the 20th minute but somehow English forward

Mehmet managed to put his diving header wide of goal despite being left totally unmarked.

Moments later, winger Christoper Van Huizen picked the ball up in midfield and attempted a shot from 30m out, but just like Izzdin’s attempt earlier, it rattled off the crossbar.

But Tampines took the lead in the 38th minute when Van Huizen cleverly kept the ball in play on the left wing and picked out

Mehmet unmarked just outside the penalty area. The 31-year-old made no mistake and finished nicely past Yazid.

However, Warriors struck back five minutes later through Hafiz before Ridhuan left the home crowd shell-shocked with an easy finish down the left wing on the stroke of half time.

With the scores level at 2-2 through Pennant’s penalty and numerical advantage on their side, Tampines peppered the Warriors goal.

And it was the most unlikely of players, Hafiz Sujad, who struck twice in the last 15 minutes to seal a vital win for Tampines that took them within three points of league leaders Albirex Niigata with a game in hand.

“Hafiz was well known for his accurate shots from his LionsXII days and so we encouraged him to shoot in this match,” said Tampines head coach V Sundramoorthy.

“In the end it paid off and we are pleased to get the win.”

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