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A-League Gold Coast United Return to the Top

A NARROW 2-1 win over Perth Glory at Skilled Park was enough to send Gold Coast United back to the top of the Hyundai A-League, thanks to Shane Smeltz’s winner ten minutes into the second half.

United Head Coach, Miron Bleiberg, conceded that his side did not produce the performance he was looking for, having been pushed all the way by a Glory outfit who crashed to their first defeat in six games.

“It’s the sign of a good team when you don’t play well but still win,” Bleiberg said.

“Perth played well and deserved a point, but am I crying about that? No,” he added.

“We defended well and we will come back into the form we know we can produce. To get this three points was important and it has put us back at the top, which is where we want to be. After just 11 rounds we have spent a lot of time at the top, so we’re not doing too badly.”

United’s second consecutive win, and third game without defeat, was enough to send them a point clear of Sydney and two points ahead of third-placed Melbourne, but they had goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan to thank for a man-of-the-match performance.

Vanstrattan was at his shot-stopping best to deny the Perth attack on numerous occasions, especially in the second period as the visitors pressed to level the scores.

After a quiet opening United hit the front with their first real threat on the Perth goal. Joel Porter’s positive run was halted 25 metres out and skipper Jason Culina stepped up to take aim with the resulting free-kick.

Culina’s powerful drive struck Scott Neville on the way to goal, leaving Perth custodian Tando Velaphi helpless, the ball in the back of the net and United with a 13th minute lead.

The home side gradually took grip on proceedings and Porter almost made it 2-0 with a low, left-footed drive that Velaphi did well to keep out after the striker skipped past three defenders to make room for the shot.

The Perth ‘keeper was called upon again just minutes later, Porter again asking the questions following a fine through ball from Robson.

Gold Coast led at the break but had Jess Vanstrattan to thank for keeping Perth goalless. The United gloveman saved brilliantly from Wayne Srhoj, who engineered the opportunity skilfully, foxing Michael Thwaite with a clever shimmy.

Perth began the second period well and drew level in the 55th minute, Todd Howarth stealing in on the blindside of Pantelidis and finishing well past Vanstrattan.

But parity only lasted a matter of seconds with United restoring their advantage almost immediately. Two Perth defenders collided when contesting a high ball, leaving Porter free to streak towards goal and lay on an easy chance for Shane Smeltz, who made no mistake from close range.

United defender Kristian Rees saw his point-blank effort smothered by Velaphi as the action continued, while at the other end, Vanstrattan had to be alert to keep out goal-bound strikes from Jelic and Srhoj.

Gold Coast travel to Wellington next weekend in search of another three points to consolidate their place at the top of the Hyundai A-League table.

Gold Coast United:
1.Jess VANSTRATTAN (gk), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 5.ROBSON (23.Steve FITZSIMMONS 69’), 9.Shane SMELTZ (11.MILSON 81’), 10.Jason CULINA (c), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON (7.Zenon CARAVELLA 58’), 16.Kristian REES, 24.ANDERSON.
Unused subs: 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk)
Yellow cards: Pantelidis 85’.
Red cards: none.

Perth Glory:
1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jamie COYNE, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC (14.Eugene DADI 69’), 12.Scott NEVILLE (13.Scott BULLOCH 88’), 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH (23.Andrija JUKIC 77’), 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI.
Unused subs: 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk).
Yellow cards: Pellegrino 69’, C. Coyne 90’.
Red cards: none.