A routine goal celebration cost Tomi Juric the right to play in the first leg of the Asian Champions League semi-final after the Western Sydney Wanderers striker received a one-match ban after being cautioned for making a minor gesture towards Guangzhou Evergrande supporters.

Juric is one of three Wanderers suspended for the first leg clash away to FC Seoul as a result of accumulated yellow cards alongside striker Brendon Santalab and winger Shannon Cole. The second of two yellow cards in the knock-out stage that triggered the suspension for Juric has frustrated the club as his goal celebration – a finger raised to his lips – was deemed as inciting the crowd by referee Ryuji Sato.

Carded: Tomi Juric after scoring his penalty against Guangzhou Evergrande. Credit:Getty Images

Juric slotted the crucial penalty that sealed the Wanderers' progression on away goals at the expense of last year's champions, Guangzhou Evergrande. The striker celebrated as many often do when playing away from home by silencing the home crowd with the gesture of a finger pressed against the lip. Due to the already aggressive and hostile atmosphere within the stadium marked by fans throwing objects at the Wanderers, Sato ruled the context of Juric's gesture as sufficient enough to warrant a caution.

"It was in the heat of the moment and it's unfortunate. I don't even know what the referee gave the yellow card for because Tomi was just doing a normal celebration and he [the referee] has given him a yellow card. It's unfortunate that in the same game Tomi and I get a yellow, but what can you do?" Santalab said.