Leeds United lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in an action-packed and feisty encounter at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Danny Ings scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot but the major talking point came in the second half as a John McGinn tackle forced Archie Gray to be stretchered off.
Here’s a look at the few moments you may have missed.
Gerrard and Marsch
Before the game both sets of teams made their way out onto the Suncorp pitch to assess the turf and take in their spectacular surroundings. Leeds’ players could be seen feeling the firmness of the ground, knocking a ball about and having a general chin wag on the turf.
Read more: Steven Gerrard gives his take on John McGinn's challenge on Leeds United's Archie Gray
While the players were gathered in their respective groups in the middle of the park, Steven Gerrard and Jesse Marsch were deep in conversation on the touchline. The pair spoke for about five minutes before heading down the tunnel together, flanked by two of Villa’s rather large security guards.
The pair were in the MLS together during Gerrard’s time with LA Galaxy and it was clear they have a great deal of respect for each other.
Kristensen’s protests
After playing well for the opening half an hour or so, Leeds could have fallen behind in the first half as they conceded a penalty for a very suspect handball call on Tyler Adams. The ball seemed to bounce up towards the American’s arm at the time, but replays failed to show the midfielder handling it in the penalty area.
As such, Leeds were entitled to protest the decision and Rasmus Kristensen was clearly outraged as a man who had a good view of the incident. After arguing the referee, he made his way over to the fourth official to continue.
Leeds will have felt justice was served, though, as Illan Meslier came up with a phenomenal save to deny Philippe Coutinho from the spot before getting up to save the rebounded effort, too.
Watkins’ disbelief
Meslier had a big say in this moment, too, as he produced another special play to tip Ollie Watkins’ effort over the bar in the first half. Following a defensive mix-up, Coutinho played Watkins through the line and as he entered the area, he tried to lift the ball over Meslier’s head.
However, the Frenchman somehow managed to get a hand to it and the ball landed on the roof of the net. The England international could hardly believe it and he was visibly astounded as he stood, hands on hips, and watched the replay back on the stadium’s big screen.
Crossbar challenge
A moment of real magic came at the half-time interval as the organisers of the Queensland Champions Cup invited a Leeds fan and a Villa fan onto the pitch for a game of crossbar challenge. With three balls lined up around the penalty spot, the Leeds fan went first and clattered his first effort off the woodwork.
He then skimmed his second effort off the top of the bar before hitting it again with his third, much to the amazement of those still in their seats and watching the competition unfold. It was a remarkable moment and the Leeds fan certainly milked it.
Marsch's McGinn words
The biggest talking point of the game came in the second half as John McGinn clattered into 16-year-old Archie Gray and appeared to catch him high on his ankle. The youngster received treatment on the field before being stretchered off the field and down the tunnel at the Suncorp Stadium.
Jesse Marsch could be seen shouting onto the field while the youngster was on the floor and McGinn ran over and appeared to explain himself and his actions to the Leeds boss. It wasn’t an aggressive chat but Marsch had been upset by the incident.
Fortunately, Gray’s injury doesn’t appear to be as bad as first feared with Marsch claiming the injury was nothing more than a sprain.
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