The relationship between FC Pune City coach Ranko Popovich and the referees of the Indian Super League has become more and more complex as the Serbian was sent off for dissent in the 2-1 loss against Kerala Blasters FC on Friday. This was his second game after the four-match suspension by All India Football Federation. A stoppage time blinder from CK Vineeth snatched the much needed three points for the visitors in an exhilarating competition.
Popovic’s outburst was not unreasonable. Pune’s new signing Marko Stankovic was brought down in the box by Lalruatthara and it looked like a certain penalty but the referee denied it.
On the other hand, the Pune gaffer was lucky enough to not see his playmaker Marcelo Pereira not being sent off for a two-footed.
Like any other manager, Popovic went straight to the fourth official who stood beside him to make a point and the referee was near him too. After an argument, he was signalled to grab a seat in the stands and not the player’s dugout.
After Jackichand Singh opened the scoring for the visitors, it looked like they might seal a 1-0 win but to their surprise it was a penalty awarded to Pune in the 77th minute which was successfully converted by Emiliano Alfaro. A 93rd minute winner from Vineeth bothered the assistant coach of Pune the most.
“I want to say just one thing, we did not deserve to lose the game today. In football, come everything may. Next game we will come back. Today, I think a draw was the right result. But they had one shot and goal. Maybe it’s the first time in his (Vineeth) life (that he scored such a goal) and it was 2-1. We must think about the next game now,” said Vladica Grujic.
In order to make it to the top four, Kerala needed all three points and they did what they had to. Sandesh Jhingan guarded the last line of defence with sharp resilience and Jackichand along with Vineeth were equally good up front.
Apart from the penalty shootout, where Stankovic was brought down, there were a few moments where a spot-kick could have been awarded to the hosts but the referee decided to not blow the whistle.
“Kerala wanted to win more. They played strong, they played long balls. Maybe... maybe I’m not sure, but in the game we had two or three chances where we should have got penalties. And now the coach got sent off and he will miss the next match,” said Grujic. “I don’t want to say we lost because of the referee but it is true. Our coach is gone for the next match maybe. Kerala was very strong but we did not have to lose, a draw was fair,” he further added.
FC Pune City is placed at number three on the points table. A win could have taken them to the number one spot but it was their opponents who needed these three points more desperately. They have climbed to number five from seventh, while Mumbai City FC have plummeted to number seven after this game.
