Bizarre scenes as Cahill red-carded before even coming on
Melbourne City are counting the cost of their dramatic A-League derby defeat with eight key players set for time on the sidelines.
City face an unprecedented test of their depth next Saturday night against Brisbane due to suspensions and injuries incurred after a Melbourne Victory comeback condemned them to a 2-1 loss.
Five players are certain to miss the match due to accumulation of yellow cards - Bruno Fornaroli, Fernando Brandan, Luke Brattan, Manny Muscat and Osama Malik.
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Tim Cahill's red card for dissent will see him watch on from the sidelines next week, while Michael Jakobsen could also be out after he was substituted at half-time with a recurrence of a calf complaint.
Cahill is given his marching orders. Image: Fox Sports
In manic scenes on Saturday night, Cahill was sent off for dissent without making it onto the pitch as Victory jumped off the canvas with six minutes remaining.
After starting on the bench, Cahill was set for a late injection into the match but saw red when referee Chris Beath took umbridge at a comment made on the touch-line.
City coach Michael Valkanis said he had been given no explanation for Cahill's send off.
"There were some things that happened that I've never seen in my footballing career," he said.
"There were contentious decisions that I'm not going to speak about now. We have to look at the video.
