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Who needs Socceroo Jason Culina when you’ve got Shane Smeltz?
Gold Coast defeated Sydney FC 2-1 in an intense top-of-the-table clash at Skilled Park on Saturday night to overtake the Sky Blues on the A-League ladder.
United were missing their talismanic captain Culina, away on Socceroo duty in Seoul, and some predicted – having lost to Newcastle last weekend – they would struggle against a previously unbeaten side.
Stand up and take a bow Mr Smeltz.
His classy header just before halftime and a 56th minute solo goal – increasing his tally to a remarkable eight goals from just five games – sealed victory against an ordinary Sydney side.
“I think tonight was probably the biggest challenge we’ve had so far without Jason,” said Smeltz, who has scored more goals so far this season than any other rival A-League team has totalled.
“It’s just pleasing that we’ve managed to step up and put in a good performance.
“It shows that we’ve got depth in the side.
“Without saying it, I think everyone knew we needed to lift.”
Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg was delighted with the victory, especially after attacking weapon Joel Porter limped from the field in the 19th minute with a calf injury.
Brazilian import Robson, back after a three-week absence due to a knee injury, ran the show from midfield as Culina’s replacement in front of another disappointing crowd of 6,406.
Robson’s compatriot Milson, man-of-the-match Zenon Caravella and speedster Tahj Minniecon were also superb as they made Sydney’s defence look pedestrian.
“We feel like it’s a horse race – they put extra weight on them (the players) to stop us but even then they can’t stop us,” said the charismatic Bleiberg.
Alex Brosque should have scored for the Sky Blues in the 30th minute following a clever one-two move with John Aloisi but the attacking midfielder sprayed his shot wide.
Just three minutes later Caravella’s shot shaved the left post.
It took a piece of magic from reigning Johnny Warren medallist Smeltz just before halftime for the small but vocal crowd to erupt.
Matt Osman’s free kick went to Smeltz, who looped a high header into the corner of the net, giving goal-keeper Ivan Necevski little chance of making the save.
In the 56th minute Smeltz finished off the contest by beating Shannon Cole to an awful Karol Kisel back-pass and calmly slotting the ball past the keeper.
“Smeltzy one-on-one with the keeper, you can go and have a cigar,” joked Bleiberg.
Sydney gave themselves a chance of pulling off an unlikely draw when substitute Steve Corica headed home a Cole cross in the 75th minute.
“I have to say they proved they’re a good side without Jason (Culina),” said Aloisi.
“We showed that we weren’t going to give up and we put up a fight.
“We probably didn’t deserve anything out of it but we tried.”
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