Groningen boss Danny Buijs has blasted fringe Socceroo Ajdin Hrustic for his “stupid” send-off in the side’s 3-1 home loss to AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday.
Hrustic earned his second yellow card moments after AZ took a 2-1 lead in the 76th minute of the clash.
The Australian midfielder was involved in an altercation with AZ’s Albert Gudmundsson as the ball was returned for the restart.
Referee Pol van Boekel immediately gave Hrustic his second booking, leading to his marching orders, reducing Groningen to nine men after Deyovaisio Zeevuik’s earlier red card.
Hrustic, who provided the assist for Groningen’s goal, had been yellow carded in first-half stoppage-time after kicking a water bottle on the sidelines.
After the game, Buijs said: “Ajdin Hrustic hurt his team and the club, with that second stupid yellow card.
“At the end, with two men less, we were still dangerous for AZ's goal. We stayed in the game until the last minute.”
It isn’t the first time 22-year-old Hrustic has been sent off in the Eredivisie, earning a second yellow card for a needless handball against Willem II last season.
Groningen are bottom of the Eredivisie table with just one win and five losses from six games.
Photo Credit: FC Groningen
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