Defence: The Wanderers attempt to block Ismael Valadez's shot on goal during the Club World Cup match in Rabat, Morocco. Photo: AP

After being sent off in a match-changing moment in extra-time during Western Sydney's clash with Cruz Azul at the Club World Cup, Nikolai Topor-Stanley says he'd have changed his approach if he'd have known he was on a yellow card.

A calamitous state of affairs unfolded during the quarter-final, with Topor-Stanley booked for a foul that he had no involvement in - the referee mistook him for left-back Seyi Adeleke, who brought down Cruz Azul striker Mariano Pavone in the first half as he charged towards goal.

But Ivory Coast referee Noumandiez Doue booked Topor-Stanley instead - and the Wanderers captain said he had no idea he'd even been shown a yellow card until a second was produced and he was sent off in the first half of extra-time.

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Soon after, Cruz Azul pounced and were able to grab the goal they needed through Mariano Pavone, with a late penalty converted by Gerardo Torrado to seal the result for the Mexicans.

"I didn't even know that first yellow card was given to me in the first place. I had no knowledge of that. The referee didn't tell me. Had I known, I'd have altered my decision-making, as anyone does when they're on a yellow card," Topor-Stanley said. "Clearly I thought that was my first yellow. I'm speechless, really."

Coach Tony Popovic wanted Topor-Stanley to stay on the field and the player was caught in a bizarre situation where the referee was trying to send him off while the coach was instructing him to remain.

"Yes, that's what 'Popa' was telling me and it's because he thought the referee had made a mistake," he said. "I also thought the referee had made a mistake. We all did. There was just confusion everywhere.

"I thought I'd seen it all but this is another reminder that football is unpredictable at the best of times. What do you do? We have to cop this on the chin, somehow, and find a way to move on."

The other main talking point of the night was the conditions, with the rain-soaked Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium virtually unplayable for both sides.

While the match was completed without players receiving an injury due to the conditions, the game was badly stifled by the wet and - arguably - should have been postponed.

Wanderers defender Matthew Spiranovic pondered whether the game would have gone ahead if the Club World Cup's drawcard side - Real Madrid - were having to front up.

"I don't know what the criteria is from FIFA, but it's questionable whether, if Real Madrid were playing tonight, the game would have continued," Spiranovic said. "It was the same for both teams, but I don't think I've played in conditions as bad as that in my whole career. It was dangerous.

"You come to a Club World Cup to play footbal - that wasn't really football out there. We had to play the conditions and unfortunately it was well short [of expectations]. The players are very disappointed. Everyone's in a little bit of shock."

After being sent off with 17 minutes to play, Spiranovic is ruled out of the fifth-placed play-off against ES Setif, who were defeated by Auckland City 1-0 earlier in the night. While some may view the match as inconsequential, the club is determined to leave Morocco with something to show for it.

"Of course it matters, we take every game seriously and we're at a Club World Cup," Spiranovic said. "We're on the world stage, representing the club and Australia so we want to put our best foot forward. We'll regroup and prepare well for the next game."