Western Sydney have been forced to settle for a point after German Ferreyra’s match-winner against Macarthur FC was disallowed for offside.
Western Sydney have been left fuming after German Ferreyra’s first-half goal was disallowed in a stalemate with local A-League Men rivals Macarthur FC.
Ferreyra had seemingly drawn first blood in the ninth minute at a rain-soaked Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday night, but a lengthy VAR review found the Wanderers defender to be offside.
Coach Ufuk Talay couldn’t contain his anger on the sidelines, with the decision denying the visitors back-to-back wins following last week’s 5-2 triumph over defending champions Auckland FC.
Last season’s wooden spooners, the second-placed Wanderers (1-2-0), at least remain undefeated to continue their revival under Talay.
Macarthur, who are led by new coach Sasa Ognenovski, are also undefeated after one win and two draws, and sit third below Western Sydney on goal difference.
The visitors dominated the first half, with Wanderers young gun Miguel Di Pizio setting the tone by forcing a save out of goalkeeper Alexander Robinson in the opening minute.
Di Pizio had been involved in Western Sydney’s disallowed goal, his curling shot from outside the box hit the far post spilling to a well-positioned Ferreyra.
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The Wanderers still had the better of chances and would have surely drawn first blood before halftime if not for a quick-thinking Robinson, who matched it with proven match-winners Di Pizio, Nicolas Milanovic and Brandon Borrello.
The Bulls flipped the script in the second half thanks to the much-needed introduction of former Western Sydney winger Ryan Fraser and midfielder Musa Toure in the 60th minute.
The Wanderer’s momentum was stifled further when Milanovic was forced out of the game in the 71st minute with cramps, replaced by Hiroshi Ibusuki.
And after three minutes of added time, but in a wet-weather scrap, neither side could conjure the match-winner.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 31: Liam Rose of the Bulls competes with Nicolas Milanovic of the Wanderers during the round three A-League Men match between Macarthur FC and Western Sydney Wanderers at Campbelltown Stadium, on October 31, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
The Red and Black Bloc (RBB), the club’s active supporter group, notably staged a 20-minute silent protest against policing for the clash.
The group claimed to have been directed by NSW Police to surrender their drums, megaphone and banners two hours prior to kick-off.
Fans also held banners that read “Stand Up For Fans. Not Police Demands” as a message to the Australian Professional Leagues.
After attendances nosedived during last season’s wooden spoon campaign, the Wanderers enjoyed a large contingent of travelling fans in Campbelltown off the back of a five-star performance against Auckland.
