Australia

Australia player slams penalty decision in World Cup qualification play-off with Syria

Robin Kruse slammed penalty decision against Australia that led to Syria’s late equaliser in the AFC 2018 World Cup play-off on Wednesday.

The Socceroos have missed a chance to take a decisive advantage into their home leg of the play-off by succumbing to a penalty in the 85th minute in the first leg in Malaysia.

“It was evident to everyone it wasn’t a penalty,” Kruse pointed to Iranian referee Alireza Faghani, as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald.

“He’s won the header clear as day and he’s headed it outside the box. The guy is six foot five and has fallen down quite easily.”

“You expect that from this referee, we’ve had him before. I think he wanted to give it as soon as he made contact. It’s disappointing and we didn’t deserve it.”