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

Adelaide United moved past Western Sydney to second place on the A-League ladder on Friday night with a 3-2 win over Wanderers, but it was the game’s wild ending that provided the main talking point.

Wanderers captain Marcelo was sent off after placing 17-year-old Nestory Irankunda of Adelaide in a headlock during a fight in which players from both sides were quick to get involved.

The incident came just days after the teenager was recruited by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold for two friendlies against Ecuador this month.

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

The defining moment of the game came in stoppage time when both sides battled for a late goal. Wanderers’ Kusini Yengi had leveled the scores 1–1 before half time after Ben Warland headed Adelaide up front.

Warland’s second goal from a corner and a well-executed goal from Hiroshi Ibusuki gave Adelaide a two-goal margin, 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 very critical of the referee’s handling of the situation and called for consistency in refereeing. 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 for it to be a red card?’ Rudan said.

Marcelo of the Wanderers fights with Lachlan Barr of Adelaide United as both teams got involved

Marcelo celebrates a goal with Marko Rudan that brought them back to one goal before the flaming shot

The Wanderers coach was also not happy because the melee started without any immediate intervention from the referee.

“A stronger referee wouldn’t let that happen, we didn’t have consistency today,” he said.

“That’s what bothers me, the lack of consistency with the officiating.”

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

“Nestory needs to learn to be a little more collected,” Veat said.

“He can’t afford to get the way he did and it all got a little out of hand.

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

He added that his team’s greatest asset was solidarity and a willingness to support each other through difficult times.

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

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

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

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

‘So who is the real instigator in this situation? It clearly shows Irakunda looking for it, that’s just my opinion. This ref is not A-league standard. He probably would have sent off Marcelo, Irakunda and the other Adelaide player locked up with Marcelo,” said one.

It’s not unlike Yeni’s red in the derby. Irankunda should have been sent. Ibusuki jumping off the bench to push players is red, he gets nothing,” said another.

‘What a disgrace. Marcelo is a 40-year-old day laborer,’ added another.

“Mass ban coming up otherwise integrity compromised,” posted another.

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

The result means Adelaide United now trail City by just one point in the A-League Men’s table.