Macarthur FC have secured a point with a 1-1 draw against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday afternoon at Campbelltown Stadium.
The Bulls second home match in successive weeks will be remembered for a controversial VAR decision, after Wellington’s Alex Rufer was shown a red card midway through the second-half for kicking out at the legs of Bulls midfielder Denis Genreau.
Down 1-nil at the break, the 61st minute VAR decision proved pivotal. Just 5 minutes later the Bulls would draw level with the boot of Markel Susaeta slotting away the clubs first goal on home soil, after a neat ball from Beñat Extebarria.
Macarthur FC Head Coach Ante Milicic said after the match he was pleased with determination and commitment to push for the win, but admitted the Bulls missed the jump for consecutive weeks.
“We started very slowly. We couldn’t get out of our own half for the first 10 minutes.”
“It was a slightly nervous opening 15 minutes, but we eventually settled. We created a lot of chances against a very well drilled side but conceded the opening goal at a poor time.”
Milicic said he was happy with the number of chances created, as the team kept pushing for the match winner.
“When they went down to 10 men, we went to a back three, and pushed a little harder for a goal, but it’s difficult to create against a team with a deep block. I’m happy with the number of chances towards the end of the match.”
“We’ll keep improving and continue to have a better understanding of each other and the way we want to play, the more time we spend on the pitch.”
Macarthur FC’s inaugural signing Tommy Oar made his club debut as did Antonis Martis coming on in the second half.
“Tommy Oar was another body we’ve got back after a limited pre-season; the two Spaniards are getting fitter with more match minutes in the legs each week.”
“A lot of our players haven’t played football since before the COVID lockdown, so it’ll take time. We know we have potential and know we will improve each week. We need to do it quickly and pick up points along the way.”
“We need to be more aware in transition moments, and that’s something we’ll continue to work on.”
When asked post-match about the importance of the Bulls supporters at home matches, Milicic said.
“A win at home or away in always important. We won’t be a team that sits back and invite pressure or hit teams on the counter.”
“We let our members and supporters down 6 days ago and we had opportunity to get it right today. We came home well, looking for the win. Hopefully next opportunity we can send them home satisfied with the 3 points.”
