Sabah FK coach Valdas Dambrauskas is not blaming Aden McCarthy’s red card against Viking FK for their 4-1 defeat on Wednesday night, as the Bafana Bafana defender will be suspended for the UEFA Champions League match against FC Barcelona.
McCarthy was shown a straight red for rough play with 12 minutes remaining at Lyse Arena as Sabah remain with just one win in four Champions League outings in this league phase. The former Kaizer Chiefs star had made his fourth consecutive start in this demanding stage in the elite European competition.
But he will not be available for selection when Sabah host Barcelona on November 25. It is a missed opportunity for a monumental test against a Barcelona side likely to feature players like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
It was also going to be a huge chance for the 22-year-old to further impress Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane, who has included him in the preliminary squad for the upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Following Wednesday’s defeat, Sabah remain in the elimination zone of the Champions League phase.
SABAH COACH NOT POINTING A FINGER AT MCCARTHY
McCarthy was shown a red card when Sabah were narrowly trailing 2-1, with huge chances to get back into the contest. But they went on to concede twice after the ex-Chiefs star’s sending-off.
However, Dambrauskas has refused to single out the red card incident as having a bearing on what is their biggest margin defeat in Europe so far this season.
“This is the Champions League, and the matches are tough. We arrived in Norway very well-prepared,” Dambrauskas was quoted as having said by Sport24.az after the Viking match.
“In the first half, the play was completely evenly matched. Both teams capitalised on the goal-scoring opportunities that came their way. The second half saw a more open game. They had the upper hand in one-on-one duels. In matches like these, you have to pay attention to speed.
“Unfortunately, the goal we conceded led to our defeat. Yet, even after being reduced to ten men, we were performing well. As I mentioned, this is the Champions League, and the level is on an entirely different plane. A single minor mistake can result in us conceding a goal.”
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