News
Smeltz winner puts Gold Coast back in title hunt
Mon Nov 9 2009Hyundai A-League Round 14
At Skilled Park, Robina
GOLD COAST UNITED 1 (Smeltz 36)
SYDNEY FC 0
HT: 1-0
Referee: Ben Williams
Crowd: 5364
SHANE Smeltz again proved to be thorn in Sydney FC’s side as he registered his 11th goal of the campaign to give Gold Coast United a hard-fought 1-0 win over their southern rivals at Skilled Park.
After scoring twice against Sydney earlier in the season, Smeltz headed home Jason Culina’s pin-point centre in the 36th minute to end United’s losing streak, and Sydney’s winning form, in an entertaining game between two evenly matched sides.
Despite the loss, Sydney retain top spot, but the result leaves Gold Coast just two points behind the Hyundai A-League leaders and only one point adrift of second-placed Melbourne Victory.
Both teams showed early attacking intent and it was the visitors who fashioned the first opportunity when some neat interplay on the edge of the United penalty area found Alex Brosque in space. Brosque placed his shot towards the corner of the goal, but his strike lacked power and Scott Higgins made a comfortable save down to his right.
The visitors were dealt a blow midway through the first half when captain and influential playmaker, Steve Corica, succumbed to injury, with Brendan Gan coming on as his replacement.
Sydney were patient with their build up play and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession for the first half an hour, but it was United who had the home crowd on their feet in the 36th minute when they opened the scoring with a superb goal.
Jason Culina’s purposeful run down the right flank culminated in a laser-guided cross to the far post, finding Sydney nemesis Shane Smeltz, who powered home his header.
Gold Coast visibly lifted and dominated the rest of the half. Midfield dynamo Zenon Caravella would have doubled United’s lead had he been able to connect cleanly with Joel Porter’s cross, but Clint Bolton was equal to his effort, saving with his legs.
Miron Bleiberg’s men ended an entertaining first half on a high and continued their high-tempo play at the start of the second period. Porter ran on to a fine through ball from Culina and forced Bolton into a smart low save with the first attack of the half.
Chasing the equaliser, Sydney brought on striker John Aloisi on the hour and the former Socceroo made his aerial presence felt, challenging United ‘keeper Scott Higgins at every opportunity as the visitors threw cross after cross into the United box.
At the other end, a bullet-like free-kick from the excellent and tireless Culina kept Bolton on his toes, and soon after Anderson tested the Sydney gloveman again with a stinging 20-metre drive.
With 15 minutes to go Sydney threatened with a Mark Bridge drive across the face of the United goal, then Brendan Gan powered a drive straight at Scott Higgins who saved comfortably.
In the final seconds Higgins was solid once more as Bridge sent another drive towards goal but United held firm to register three vital points.
It was a welcome return to form for Gold Coast who looked solid in defence, busy in midfield and threatening in attack.
“Every win is a good win, especially when you play against the team at the top of the ladder,” said United Coach, Miron Bleiberg.
“If Sydney had won today we would have been eight points behind them, so it was an important win for us.
“We worked hard; we frustrated Sydney and varied our game when we needed to. I’m pleased and proud of our performance.”
Gold Coast United:
20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Jason CULINA (c), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER (15.Tahj MINNIECON 79), 16.Kristian REES, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS (17.Matt OSMAN 70), 24.ANDERSON (28.Mitch BEVAN 90).
Unused subs: 30.Jerrad TYSON [gk].
Yellow cards: Culina 39, Pantelidis 90.
Red cards: none.
Sydney FC:
1.Clint BOLTON [gk], 2.Sebastian RYALL, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 6.Karol KISEL, 8.Stuart MUSIALIK, 10.Steve CORICA (c) (7.Brendan GAN 19 [3.Stephan KELLER 85]), 12.Shannon COLE, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 15.Terry MCFLYNN (9.John ALOISI 60), 19.Mark BRIDGE, 22.Sung Hwan BYUN.
Unused subs: 20.Ivan NECEVSKI [gk].
Yellow cards: McFlynn 24, Cole 25, Musialik 39
Red cards: none.
