Riveiro Speaks on Pyramids Draw – “That VAR Goals…”

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has shared his views on the Video Assistant Referee [VAR] decisions that disallowed two Pyramids goals on Saturday evening. Pirates and the Egyptian side played to a 0-0 draw in the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg at FNB Stadium.

Former Yanga SC striker Fiston Mayele thought he had netted the opening goal on the stroke of half-time. But the goal was adjusted to be offside by VAR.

Pyramids thought they had scored again through Sodiq Awujoola, but the goal was disallowed due to a handball. Head coach Jurčić also expressed his displeasure with the VAR decisions, saying his team should have won against the Buccaneers.

ORLANDO PIRATES COACH SATISFIED WITH VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE DECISIONS

But in the post-match conference, Pirates coach Riveiro feels the decisions to disallow the goals were correct.

“No, no goals. If the referee said that there are no goals, then no goals. We can’t speak about disallowed goals,” Riveiro told journalists.

JOSE RIVEIRO UNDERSTANDS THE FRUSTRATIONS OF HIS PYRAMIDS FC COUNTERPART

“So obviously it’s something new for us now. We are not used to playing with the VAR. I also understand the frustration of the opponents. But I am sure that once they have the opportunity to check the actions carefully, they will realise that the referee was correct.

“Unfortunately for them, this time the decision was good for Orlando Pirates. But no, it’s a good warning for us to do it better, especially in the second one, in the set pieces, to analyse what happened and try to do it better next time,” he added.

“But I think it’s not going to play a role to play with this type of technology as well, and I think that in this case, the referee and his assistant did a good job.”

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