Ernst Middendorp was left impressed by the assistant referees’ communication after he overrruled a penalty to TS Galaxy.
Cape Town Spurs were 2-0 up in the match when a penalty was given to Galaxy in the 60th minute after Samir Nurkovic appeared to be brought down inside the box.
Galaxy midfielder Higor Vidal was ready to step up and take the penalty kick when referee Thabo Mkhabela consulted his assistant referee and came back to reverse the decision.
Middendorp was left a happy man, stating that he had the linesman close to him shouting penalty and he was happy that the other assistant “corrected” the referee.
“Justice came in place too, there’s no doubt about it. I’ve seen it first time in 19 years coaching since 2005 in PSL, it’s nearly 500 games,” Middendorp said after the match.
“A huge compliment, I was a bit impressed by the linesman on my side and my eyes are good. I have Johnson and Johnson into my eyes implemented and my eyes are really good.
“He saw it was a penalty, he was shouting ‘penalty! penalty!’ into his mic and obviously the discussion was with the other guy. Thanks God he had another idea and corrected him.
“I think the main referee was also not sure because he was not the one, but anyone it was justice in the right moment.”
Spurs picked up their second successive win to move 10 points on the log, just three behind Richards Bay. They will now face Orlando Pirates in Orlando on Tuesday, hoping to complete the double over the Buccaneers after beating them at home.
