Socceroos teenager Nestory Irankunda at centre of wild A-League melee between Adelaide and Wanderers

Adelaide United leapfrogged Western Sydney into second place on the A-League ladder on Friday night with a 3-2 win over the Wanderers but it was the game’s wild finish that provided the major talking point. 

Wanderers captain Marcelo was sent off after placing Adelaide’s 17-old-old Nestory Irankunda in a headlock during a brawl that saw players from both sides rush in to get involved. 

The incident came just days after the teenager was drafted into Socceroos coach Graham Arnold’s squad for two friendlies against Ecuador this month. 

Western Sydney coach Marko Rudan criticised referee Shaun Evans for failing to red card Irankunda, who shoved Wanderers midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof before Marcelo’s intervention. 

The game’s defining moment came in stoppage time as both sides scrambled for a late goal. Wanderers’ Kusini Yengi had levelled the score at 1-1 before halftime after Ben Warland headed Adelaide in front. 

Warland’s second goal from a corner and a well-taken goal from Hiroshi Ibusuki gave Adelaide a two-goal cushion, but Marcelo pulled one back for Western Sydney. 

However, his joy was short-lived as his aggressive reaction to Irankunda’s push saw him sent off.

Rudan was highly critical of the referee’s handling of the situation, calling for consistency in officiating. He felt that Irankunda should have received a red card for his retaliation, and that Marcelo was only defending his teammate. 

‘It’s retaliation, does a player have to fall over in order for it to be a red card?’ Rudan said. 

Marcelo of the Wanderers brawls with Lachlan Barr of Adelaide United as both teams became involved

Marcelo celebrates a goal with Marko Rudan that brought them back to within a goal before the fiery finish 

The Wanderers’ coach was also unhappy that the melee started without any immediate intervention from the referee.

‘A stronger referee wouldn’t let that happen, we didn’t get consistency there today,’ he said.

‘That’s what irks me is the lack of consistency with the officiating.’

Adelaide coach Carl Veart defended his player, saying that Irankunda needed to learn to control his emotions but that he was young and learning. 

‘Nestory needs to learn to be a bit more cool-headed,’ Veart said.

‘He can’t allow himself to get the way he did and it all got a little bit out of hand.

‘He can’t react like that, that’s not how you should play football.’

He added that his team’s biggest asset was its solidarity and willingness to support each other in difficult moments. 

Irankunda of Australia and teammates warm up before the soccer friendly match between Australia and Ecuador in Sydney this week

Milos Ninkovic of the Wanderers is tackled by Nestory Irankunda during Adelaide’s vital A-League win over Western Sydney

Veart was pleased with his team’s performance and their resolve in securing a valuable win that cut Melbourne City’s lead at the top of the table to just one point.

Fans were divided over the incident, with some blaming Irankunda for his rash actions, while others felt that Marcelo’s reaction was excessive. 

‘So who the real instigator in this situation? It clearly shows Irakunda looking for it, that’s just my opinion. This referee isn’t A-league standard. I probably would have sent off Marcelo, Irakunda and the other Adelaide player locking in with Marcelo,’ one said.

‘No different than Yeni’s red in the derby. Irankunda should’ve been sent. Ibusuki sprinting off the bench to push players is a red, gets nothing,’ said another.

‘What a disgrace. Marcelo is a 40 year old journeyman,’ added another.

‘Massive ban coming up, otherwise the integrity is compromised,’ posted another.

The Wanderers captain will now face a suspension, leaving his team’s chances of catching up to Melbourne City in doubt.

The result means Adelaide United now trails City by only one point on the A-League Men table.