W-League star Ellie Carpenter has sparked a sportsmanship storm after scoring a goal while the opposing goalkeeper was down injured.
The Canberra United player scored into an open goal after Western Sydney Wanders keeper Jade Whyman fell to the pitch with a knee complaint.
Whyman had left her box to make a clearance but suffered an injury in the process of kicking the ball away.
She went down immediately and players around her stopped as the ball bounced towards the sideline – but Carpenter had sprinted to save it.
The 18-year-old ran further into Western Sydney’s half and lofted the ball over the defence and into the open goal.
Carpenter barely celebrated the goal and was seen waving away complaints as the referee checked on Whyman.
The goalkeeper shook off the injury to complete the match.
Football fans immediately began debating the controversial goal, with opinions divided:
Call me old-fashioned, but that is classless – Carpenter is protected by the letter of the law, but that is just not a good look for mine #Wleague #WSWvCAN
— Peter (@nutwals) December 7, 2018
That's poor by Ellie Carpenter. Fantastic player but I reckon she will regret that. #WSWvCBR
— Chris (@lastnite__) December 7, 2018
Ellie Carpenter had every right to go for that. Defenders should’ve reacted and ran to the line immediately. Glad to see Jada is okay though #WSWvCBR
— Angus Bird (@A_Bird04) December 7, 2018
wowee. switch on the tv after getting in from a run and Ellie Carpenter is chipping into an open net with the goalkeeper down injured. well then.
— Lachy France (@lachyheel) December 7, 2018
Yea I was watching and was Abit taken aback 😂 Controversial for sure, the age old question of spirit of the game I suppose
— Kelsey Reade (@kelsey_reade) December 7, 2018
Geez, just saw the Carpenter goal.
That's certainly in a…moral grey area. #WSWvCBR
— James McGrath (@james_r_mcgrath) December 7, 2018
I’ve got no problems with Carpenter taking the shot with the keeper on the ground. Not a head injury. Play the whistle, 3 WSW players standing around – not going to the injured player or back to o defend the goal line. #WSWvCBR #WLeague
— andrew (@melatonii) December 7, 2018
Play the whistle, listen to the umpire, thats what we get told when we play sport. Good game awareness by Carpenter to score the goal #WSWvCBR #WLeague
— JenJen (@JenJen3187) December 7, 2018
It’s not about what you get told, it’s about sportsmanship.
— Sof (@hidinghopeless) December 7, 2018
Carpenter’s strike was the first of the match.
The Wanderers equalised through Leena Khamis 13 minutes later but fell behind again with an own goal in the 85th minute.
However, Western Sydney struck back soon after as Kylie Ledbrook secured the team’s first point of the season.