Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic criticised his side’s defensive display as Melbourne City advanced to the FFA Cup semi-finals with a 4-1 triumph at AAMI Park.
Speaking to media after the match, Popovic was typically blunt in his summary: “It wasn’t to be. We had a poor start, we conceded sloppy goals and it was very difficult to come back after that.”
“We’re disappointed with the result. We wanted to go through – further than we did last year in the quarter finals.
“We’ve had a good pre-season. Today was a game where the opponent started much better than us and got their rewards. After that 15-20 minute period where you could see we were getting on top, we started controlling the game, and then unfortunately we conceded a second,” Popovic said.
REVIEW | Talking Points: Melbourne City 4 Western Sydney 1 – New signings steal the show | #MCYvWSW #FFACup https://t.co/1ZSSHMLAEC
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After the hosts started brightly, the contest was effectively decided when central defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley was sent off after denying a goalscoring opportunity, while Tim Cahill converted from the spot to give City a 3-0 lead.
On his defender’s moment of madness, Popovic had no qualms with the decision, but said of his player: “I don’t know what he (Topor-Stanley) was thinking at that time.”
“He made the foul, I’m sure if you look back he’d rather have not made that challenge.”
Topor-Stanley will now miss the Sydney derby in round 1 through suspension, a match which takes place on October 8 at ANZ Stadium.
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