Smeltz Sinks Sydney with Spot-on Header

By: Michael Turner | November 8th, 2009

Jason Culina Sydney have been defeated by the Gold Coast United side on Saturday in front of 5,000 fans at Skilled Park. A Smeltz header from a great Culina cross made the difference, however Melbourne’s heavy loss keeps Sydney on top of the A-League ladder.

Bleiberg has reverted back to his original 4-2-2-2 formation that brought him great results at the start of the season. Miron also brought back Kristian Rees, Joel Porter and Zenon Caravella into the starting squad. Jason Culina has moved back into a more attacking role next to the returning Caravella. The gap left by Traore has been filled by former Flamengo player Anderson.

Moving on to Sydney, the side remains unchanged for the 5th time this season. The FoxSports commentator coined it perfectly, saying “if it aint broke, don’t fix it.” Keller is back from his knee injury, however started on the bench. Lavicka has been great offensively this last five weeks, with the Brosque and Bridge combination. Stuart Musialik has been an outstading player for the Sky Blues, crafting some great moves from the midfield and giving Sydney that lightning spark that they have been needing for years.

One of the first real attacks fell for the Gold Coast United side, with Anderson sparking it with a cross which was headed away by Musialik. Fitzsimmons then put the ball back in before Smeltz missed the header by a whisker, being put under pressure by the Sydney defence. Gold Coast fans would have felt hard done by, as the replay suggests that Cole had taken Smeltz off the ball illegally.

Crowds jpeg Soon after however (36′), Colosimo’s poor ball was intercepted, Caravella then playing it to Culina who ran at full pelt down the wing, before playing a pin-point cross to Smeltz who scored, giving Bolton no chance to save. Gold Coast 1-0.

Gold Coast were not letting off, with a pin-point ball to Porter, whos’ cross was deflected away by a sliding Ryall, before the ball fell directly in front of Caravella and the goal, with Bolton pulling off a top class save with his legs, to deny a second for Gold Coast.

At the beginning of the second, Gold Coast were still pushing forward, with a Porter forcing a good diving save from Bolton, two minutes into the half.

Gold Coast had another claim for a penalty on the 54th minute, with Sydney’s Byun handling a cross after chesting the ball down.

Still pushing forward, Culina had a freekick just outside the box on the 68th minute. His low cross was very powerful, however a simple save by Clint Bolton.

On the 71st minute, Anderson’s powerful shot was extremely awkward for Bolton, however the Blues custodian did well to keep the ball out.

A minute later, great ball work between Osman, Caravella and Thwaite, opened half a chance for Gold Coast, however Osman’s shot went just wide.

Sydney had half a chance on the 82nd minute, with a free-kick going to Kisel, who layed the ball off the Brosque, who couldn’t deliver, shooting off target.

On the 89th minute, Sydney had another chance, with Colosimo’s early cross going to Bridge, who shot his powerful shot straight at Higgins, giving Gold Coast all three points.

Gold Coast rounded off a horror fortnight, winning the the battle of the Glamour clubs.

Match Detail

Gold Coast United 1 (SMELTZ 37′)
Sydney FC 0

Gold Coast: 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 9. Jason CULINA (c), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER (15. Tahj MINNIECON 80′), 16. Kristian REES, 23. Steve FITZSIMMONS (17. Matthew OSMAN 71′), 24. Anderson Alves DA SILVA (28. Mitchell BEVAN 89′).

Substitutes Not Used: 30.Jerrad TYSON (gk).

Yellow Cards: 9. Jason CULINA 39′, 2.Steve PANTELIDIS 89′.
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: Shane SMELTZ 37′.

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.

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk).

Yellow Cards: 15. Terry MCFLYNN 24′, 12. Shannon COLE 25′, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK 39′.
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: Nil.

Referee: Ben Williams
Crowd: 5,364 at Skilled Park, Robina.

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