Ferguson questions Ibini winner

Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says Bernie Ibini’s winning goal should not have been allowed after watching his team go down 1-0 at the Central Coast Mariners on Monday.

Ferguson felt aggrieved at the nature of the Mariners’ winner but also admitted his side, who finished the game with 10 men, were their own worst enemy at times in the A-League match.

The decisive goal arrived in the 68th minute, when substitute Bernie Ibini latched onto a cross from Oliver Bozanic.

The 20-year-old striker then got the better of Glory defender Scott Jamieson before controlling the ball with his chest and striking it home with his left foot.

However, Ferguson felt the young forward gained an unfair advantage in the build-up play.

“I felt he (Ibini) was all over Jamieson and he has used his hand to get the ball round to him and score the goal,” he said.

“It’s a tough one for referee to see, and linesman, because they are blind-sided, but definitely a free kick.

“Referees make the decision, I’m just disappointed that we have lost to another bad goal if you like. Probably hand ball, but we don’t get it (the decision).

“To me it was a hand ball … definitely a hand ball.”

Ferguson had no complaints about the 76th-minute dismissal of Glory defender Bas van den Brink, and felt his team were wasteful during the narrow away defeat.

“He (Van den Brink) has not said anything so it’s looks as though it was probably a booking because he never said a word to me,” he said.

“It looks as though the second yellow card has got him sent off.”

“We had a lot of the play and a lot of possession in the first half.

“We had a great chance, a great opportunity for (Shane) Smeltz and he has put it by the post.

“Once he hits one or two the confidence will come back with him and hopefully we can start hitting the target again.”