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In-form Gold Coast midfielder Bas Van den Brink scored his third goal in as many weeks and had a hand in another to help United defeat Wellington Phoenix in a very physical A-League clash at Skilled Park.
United outplayed the Phoenix, which received three yellow cards for poor or late challenges and committed more than dozen fouls, to win 2-0 in front 1716 spectators who braved the elements.
The home side was not without its moments receiving four yellow cards in a game marred at times by spiteful and reckless challenges.
It was a well earned Gold Coast victory in wet and difficult conditions and provides them with some breathing space in third spot while also applying heat on second-placed Adelaide United.
Van den Brink’s moment of glory occurred in the 21st minute when he out sprinted defender and Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante to get to a well placed Jason Culina free kick and score with a header.
He also played a significant role in teammate James Brown’s close range goal in the 67th minute when he headed a stray free kick back deep into the penalty box.
The ball landed in front of United forward Kristian Rees who had a hurried shot which was saved by reserve goal keeper Danny Vukovic.
However, the Phoenix goalkeeper was unable to reel the ball in and it bounced in the direction of Brown who simply tapped it in from a couple of metres.
Vukovic was called up in the 45th minute after Mark Paston became a victim of his own courage when saving a Bruce Djite shot at goal.
The United forward try to flick a high bouncing ball over the top of Paston who made a great save but came off second best when Djite’s boot accidentally struck him above the left knee.
Paston had to be taken from the field on a stretcher and it’s feared he may have sustained medial ligament damage.
Phoenix struggled to adapt in the wet conditions early and had just 29 per cent possession in the opening half hour which finished in the mid 40s at full time.
Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg said it was one of their softest victories due to Phoenix playing a very physical game which resulted in numerous fouls against the visiting side.
“It was one of our easiest wins,” Bleiberg said.
“The game was a bit rough.
“It was, I call it, half-football, half-rugby.
“There was no malice. They gave it to us and we gave it back.”
Durante said the surface was not up to A-League standard and it made it difficult for both sides to play at their best.
“It’s shocking,” Durante said.
But Phoenix assistant coach Luciano Trani said the poor state of the pitch did not have any bearing on the result and they were beaten by a superior side.
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