Rich Charlesworth unhappy with umpiring
“Two goals that were awarded to Delhi Waveriders are not goals”, says Ric Charlesworth, the chief coach of the Mumbai Magicians.
“One goal was actually foul, for the other one its infringement even before the ball entered the circle” he explained.
On Saturday, Delhi Waveriders established a 4-1 lead before defeating the visiting side 4-3 in a thrilling match, which saw a fluent hattrick was struck by losing team’s Sandeep Singh.
“Its not easy to be 1-4 and then win. I at the same time appreciate my boys for their courage, conviction and the way they played”
Dwelling on the issue of umpiring, he felt that rival captain Sardar Singh kicked the ball into the circle, which a moments later was struck for a goal. The third goal too, accordingly to him, a foul was committed but the umpire did not notice, he allowed the play go on.
“I don’t think we played bad at back, meaning our defence was sound, but when umpires make such mistakes, it costs the teams”, the Australian said.
The both goals he mentioned was awarded by Austrian umpire Michale Eilmer.
“This is a big league, a globally watched one. Absence of referral system is felt increasingly. I sincerely feel there should have been provision for referral. In that case, such blunders won’t occur”, the crestfallen coach went on to explain.
Ric’s team lost their sixth continuous match when Delhi, playing them third time in the Hockey India League, beat them against full, vocal stands.
Ric also conceded the fact that it is frustrating for him and his team to continuously lose, but he feels the players are a motivated lot.
“yes. Its frustrating the results have gone this way. We did not expect, but many things have happened that we did not expect”.
First round of HIL is completed on saturday, with each team have played first six matches. In the next round another six matches await them. Each team meets the other thrice before a team loses out on the semifinal.