Irate Muscat's SCG grass attack "unsafe" after Antonis' injury



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Antonis slammed in the middle of the second half of the A-League's 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC, after having collapsed innocently.

Subsequent reruns showed that Antonis seemed to have collapsed to the edge of a redone spot in the middle of the ground.

Muscat was not able to make an early diagnosis on Antonis' injury and was reluctant to find excuses for his team's performance.

But he was scathing in his badessment of the surface, which, according to broadcasters, was partially elevated to where Antonis fell.

"In the middle, it was ridiculously difficult and dangerous for me," Muscat said.

"The fact that players participate, no matter what you call it, is a shame."

Any potential layoff for Antonis would only aggravate a heartbreaking defeat after Victory conceded the match winner, Milos Ninkovic.

Ninkovic was hooked to a center in central Siem de Jong in the 93rd minute and his shot rushed against a defender of Victory before overtaking the goalkeeper Matthew Acton.

The victory leaves the Sky Blues in pole position to take second place, a crucial position, allowing them to earn four points on Victory, third.

It also reduces the gap between them and Perth, first in the standings, three points with three games to play, although the Glory have a game in hand.

Ninkovic 's winner was presented in front of 14,155 spectators after Kosta Barbarouses canceled Brandon O'Neill' s opening opener during an entertaining first half.

But what promised to be a captivating finale between the rival archers was a grim affair after the break, until the injury of Antonis and the end of Ninkovic's exploits.

Sydney FC spent most of the race early and almost had the lead in the game when Adam Le Fondre 's chip hit the crossbar.

But the local team was quick to be rewarded for its bold play, symbolized by O'Neill's bold effort at long range in the sixth minute.

The opposing midfielder was 23m from the goal when Anthony Caceres was reduced before overtaking Acton's outstretched hand.

Sydney FC's desire to maintain the tempo also paved the way for victory for Victory, and Keisuke Honda charged them for his installation for Barbarouses.

His free-kick split two defenders and left the Victory shooter face to face with Andrew Redmayne, who was sidelined by the Barbarouses chip.

The goal of Barbarouses was remarkable: he scored 10 goals in 11 games, but visitors were not able to finish several opportunities in the second period.

"It's nice to score three points – we deserved the win – it's good to beat them," said Sydney FC coach Steve Corica.

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