Graham Arnold admitted he is “as concerned as everybody else” by the standard of A-League refereeing and is praying another howler doesn’t decide Sunday’s semi-final against Melbourne Victory.
The Central Coast Mariners coach wants the microscope to be on the performance of players not match officials as the Mariners seek to make home advantage pay against Ange Postecoglou’s side at Bluetongue Stadium.
All eyes will be on man in the middle Strebre Delovski after the admission by A-League chief Damien de Bohun that whistle-blowers Jarred Gillett and Chris Beath had both been dropped after clangers in the two elimination finals.
Gillett came under fire for missing the handball from Andrew Nabbout in the incident which led to a last-minute penalty for Melbourne Victory and a red card for Steve Pantelidis – all but sealing Perth Glory’s fate at Etihad Stadium.
Beath, meanwhile, failed to punish reckless challenges by Brisbane’s Stef Nijland and Adelaide United striker Tomi Juric in Roar’s win over the Reds.
Arnold, who will have all his big guns back for the Victory clash after resting a raft of senior players for the luckless 2-1 AFC Champions League loss to Guizhou Renhe on Tuesday, said: “People have been talking a lot about the referees this year and they have been making some big calls, which have been hurting teams.
“I am as concerned as everybody else is about that. You really don’t want to be talking about the match officials but we have seen a lot of decisions this year that have provoked that debate.
“Perth Glory had reason to cry foul against Melbourne Victory. After the game you had ex-referee Matthew Breeze dissecting bad decisions on TV rather than the players and coaches taking centre stage – and that’s not something you want to see. That’s says a lot and in the end I had to turn it off.
“I just hope that on Sunday, the game is decided the right way and we end up looking back at the performances of the players, not the match officials.”
Arnold’s performance in his 26 months in charge of the Mariners has brought only plaudits – and he was this week linked by the Chinese media with Chinese Super League Guangzhou R&F.
Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth said he knew nothing of any approach but reiterated he believes Arnold - who has a year remaining on his contract - will be inevitably be poached by a European or Asian club.
“I am certain what he has done as this club has not gone unnoticed,” he said.
The former Socceroos player and coach acknowledges the lure of an overseas gig is tempting.
“I take a lot of pride in the fact that some people say myself and Ange Postecoglou have helped lift the tactical level of the A-League and I would like to test myself now overseas, either in Europe or Asia,” he said.
“It would be a question of finding a club willing to look outside the square and give an Australian coach a go, rather than looking just for the tried and trusted.
“It’s a bit like a young player wanting to go abroad and further their career, in a way I am no different. As a player I thought I was at the maximum of my ability until I went to Holland and was able to progress to another level. I think as a coach that may also be the scenario.
“By the same token, if nothing happens then I am happy to stay with the Mariners for another few years yet. I know they would not stand in my way, just as this club doesn’t stand in the way of players who want to move on and better themselves.”
On the business of overcoming a Victory side which the Mariners crushed 6-2 in round 22 at Bluetongue Stadium - a ground on which they have lost just once this season - Arnold said: “I think home advantage is important and I am feeling confident. We’ve won 12 of our 13 home games and we’ll be ready.
“But I have huge respect for Ange and his team. People say they were lucky against Perth. But they took their chances when they came.”