A war of words between City coach John van ’t Schip and Aloisi in the lead-up to the clash added to the matchday tension.

City fans jeered the Roar coach throughout, but it was the actions of the opposition bench which disappointed Aloisi.

The former Socceroo and World Cup veteran declined to name the players but said: “I’ll be honest, if my players sledged the opposition coach I’d be disappointed.

"I think that’s a lack of respect, that’s my opinion. Others can run their football club the way they want.

“I would never allow my players to abuse the other coach especially when the coach hasn’t abused them.

“What I say about our team or things in the media, that’s got nothing to do with the players...they don’t need to come over and abuse or do gestures from the opposition bench to tell me to be quiet so the crowd can see it.

“That’s inciting a little bit, I thought that was poor, that’s my personal opinion, I wouldn’t want my players to do that.”

Goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis celebrated towards the Roar bench after Nicolas Colazo (54’) restored parity after Jamie Maclaren’s opener (38’).

“I don’t know exactly what he (Bouzanis) said, I just thought it was a bit poor to run all that way and have a go at me,” he said.“He wasn’t having a go at Ross (Aloisi) he was having a go at me.”

Aloisi also defended his comments made during midweek, stating he was simply answering questions honestly.

“I know people are saying I make comments so I influence the referee – I can’t influence the referee, let’s be honest,” he said.

“The thing is when I get asked a question, I worked a bit of media so I know how it is… when I get asked a question I answer it with all honesty because if I don’t answer it then I’m going to look like… it’s boring, a boring interview.

“I’ll give my honest opinion, so when I get asked if a player holds another player, ‘do you think this is the case?’ and I say ‘yes’, that doesn’t mean I’m trying to influence the referee.

“Do I agree with players going down too easily? No. I’ll have a word with my players if I see that, but I’ll protect them and have a word with them.”

In the pre-match build-up Aloisi questioned the physicality of City and was called a whinging baby by van ‘t Schip.

“(Phoenix coach) Ernie Merrick thinks it was a penalty, and I get asked, I say ‘no’… but Ernie doesn’t get called a cry baby.”