What Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg saw on the field in his side’s 3-0 A-League win over Melbourne Heart on Sunday impressed him. But it is what Bleiberg sees off the field that is encouraging him the most.
A Jason Culina-inspired United (30 points) ended a two-match losing run to move to third spot on the A-League ladder, placing pressure on No.2 Adelaide United (34pts).
It was enough to prompt United goal-scorer Bas van den Brink to claim they had not given up on reeling in runaway ladder leader Brisbane Roar (41pts).
The usually outspoken Bleiberg was not as bold, but believed United would “have a say” in the championship with a full-strength squad.
United did welcome back Culina, John Curtis (both knee), James Brown and Dino Djulbic (both suspension) on Sunday.
But they were still without Michael Thwaite, Kiwi ‘keeper Glen Moss (both ankle), Steve Pantelidis (head wound), Zenon Caravella (ankle) and Joel Porter (hamstring).
Bleiberg admitted United were currently “not as good” as the Roar – but he wondered aloud just how great his side would be with a full complement of players.
And having three games in hand compared to arch rival Brisbane also encouraged Bleiberg.
“I think we played relatively good football today, but we are not playing as good as the Roar,” he said.
“But look at the players we get back next week (against Wellington on Saturday night).
“So we have some depth. And if we produce what we produced (on Sunday) with these five players…Gold Coast United will have a say.
“And we are two or three games behind (Adelaide United and Roar respectively).
“They (Adelaide and Roar) are yet to suffer the mid-season slump, not that I wish it on them, and they haven’t had many major injuries, so we shall see.”
Van den Brink was already looking at United’s Boxing Day clash with the Roar as a championship yardstick.
Brisbane have never beaten United.
“It’s going to be a whole different game I reckon,” van den Brink said.
“Last year we played them three times and won but they weren’t the best of teams last year, this year they have really stepped up.
“And if you look at the points we have…I think we can still catch them.”
Bleiberg said the result was “a bit cruel” on the Heart who all but dominated the first half only to walk into the sheds 1-0 behind following van den Brink’s 41st minute header.
United grabbed a 2-0 buffer in the 58th minute through a Culina penalty after Michael Beauchamp felled Bruce Djite.
And Culina was at it again in the 77th, almost casually converting a Djite cross from point blank range.
The Skilled Park attendance of 1658 was just 26 shy of the now defunct New Zealand Knights’ all-time A-League record crowd low set against Central Coast in September 2006.
But it was the lowest ever A-League crowd on Australian soil – breaking their own record set on Wednesday night when just 1714 spectators saw their 2-1 loss to North Queensland Fury.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Paul Izzo has inspired Melbourne Victory to one of the greatest-ever A-League Men escapes as they rose from the ashes to beat Melbourne City…
After being a goal down and having a player sent off, Victory fought back to level in regulation time and win a shootout, thanks…
Departing the club at the season's end, the Melbourne City skipper picked up a second yellow card for a careless tackle late in extra…
Playing a man down after a first-half red card, Nishan Velupillay levelled the scores with three minutes remaining in regulation time. They appealed for…
Samuel Souprayen gave City the lead before Zinedine Machach was sent off for lashing out with his boot after a tackle.
The goalie flew to deny Leo Natel's shot that looked destined to hit the top corner, then came up with a brilliant penalty save…
