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Johannesburg - Following their MTN8 quarter-final defeat to Bidvest Wits last Friday, Bloemfontein Celtic head coach Ernst Middendorp criticised referee Victor Gomez for what he believes was a poor performance.
After a goalless stalemate, Celtic lost 4-3 on penalties to the Clever Boys at Bidvest Stadium.
Middendorp, however, believes that the match referee on the day, Gomez, had a bad day at the office.
Middendorp said his charges did not deserve to lose the encounter and furiously pointed fingers at the 2012/13 Premier Soccer League (PSL) referee of the season.
“We played very well in the first half and we created (a) few goal-scoring chances,” said Middendorp.
“Then came the second half, we continued dominating possession. But we didn’t kick the ball into the net. We didn’t do it. The opponents came out six times in a row and stopped, then technically fouled our players.
“Mr Gomez was not acting, he was not stopping the game. It took more than six fouls to make him act. We had more than six possibilities to counter but he didn’t do his job, he never acted.
“In the end my team, our team, the team of new owners, a team of a new sponsor (Kappa) and the team sponsored by MTN had to lose. We didn’t deserve to lose the game.”
The German tactician further hinted that Phunya Sele Sele are capable of beating any PSL side, should the PSL take action against officials who aren't on par.
“Yes we can beat anybody,” said Middendorp. “We are capable of beating any team. If rules and regulations were applied together in each and every game, we can beat anybody. We can play against all the best but we can beat anybody, it doesn’t matter. Congratulations to the winner (Wits) for advancing to the next round.”
Celtic's next game is against Mpumalanga Black Aces in the ABSA Premiership at Free State Stadium this coming Sunday (15:00 kick-off).
After a goalless stalemate, Celtic lost 4-3 on penalties to the Clever Boys at Bidvest Stadium.
Middendorp, however, believes that the match referee on the day, Gomez, had a bad day at the office.
Middendorp said his charges did not deserve to lose the encounter and furiously pointed fingers at the 2012/13 Premier Soccer League (PSL) referee of the season.
“We played very well in the first half and we created (a) few goal-scoring chances,” said Middendorp.
“Then came the second half, we continued dominating possession. But we didn’t kick the ball into the net. We didn’t do it. The opponents came out six times in a row and stopped, then technically fouled our players.
“Mr Gomez was not acting, he was not stopping the game. It took more than six fouls to make him act. We had more than six possibilities to counter but he didn’t do his job, he never acted.
“In the end my team, our team, the team of new owners, a team of a new sponsor (Kappa) and the team sponsored by MTN had to lose. We didn’t deserve to lose the game.”
The German tactician further hinted that Phunya Sele Sele are capable of beating any PSL side, should the PSL take action against officials who aren't on par.
“Yes we can beat anybody,” said Middendorp. “We are capable of beating any team. If rules and regulations were applied together in each and every game, we can beat anybody. We can play against all the best but we can beat anybody, it doesn’t matter. Congratulations to the winner (Wits) for advancing to the next round.”
Celtic's next game is against Mpumalanga Black Aces in the ABSA Premiership at Free State Stadium this coming Sunday (15:00 kick-off).
