Postecoglou ‘wrong’, Tottenham boss blasted by ex-FIFA official for what he said
Ange Postecoglou was wrong with his comments about Lucas Bergvall’s yellow card in the Tottenham win against Liverpool, says Mark Halsey.
Spurs secured a 1-0 win in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final thanks to a controversial strike from the Swede, just minutes after he could have been sent off for a second yellow.
In response to this decision, shared by BBC Sport (9 January) the Australian said: “We’ve been told consistently that if we play advantage, as long as it’s not a cynical foul, then the player does not get cautioned.”
Despite this, former FIFA official Halsey has slammed the Lilywhites’ boss, describing the 18-year-old midfielder as “extremely lucky” in his column for The Sun (10 January, page 51).
He said: “Postecoglou was wrong in what he said about a yellow card not being awarded when advantage is played if not a reckless challenge.
“Whenever a player is going to receive a second yellow card, the game should be stopped immediately, unless a goal is about to be scored.
“But Liverpool were not going to score directly from that attack, so Spurs midfielder Lucas Bergvall was extremely lucky not to have been sent off. It was a mistake on Stuart Atwell’s part. It was a reckless challenge on Kostas Tsimikas.”
Ange Postecoglou slammed by Mark Halsey for Tottenham v Liverpool comments
The Spurs head coach has cut a frustrated figure in recent weeks, particularly in press conferences.
Regardless of this, it is fair to say that he will be pleased to see a decision go in his side’s favour, especially after the non-handball from Joelinton against Newcastle United.
There is no doubt that Bergvall’s second challenge was probably deeming of a second yellow card but the first decision left a lot to be desired.
There was little to no contact from the Swedish midfielder which made it all the more bizarre why he picked up a booking so early on in the game.
Although Halsey sees this as a lucky moment for the North London outfit, Postecoglou and Co. won’t mind now that the game is over and they’ve taken a positive result.
The Lilywhites can now look forward to the reverse tie at Anfield with a view to earning a place in the final at Wembley in March.
In other Tottenham news, Randal Kolo Muani has been given assurances as a loan move has moved closer.
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