Smeltz leads Gold Coast to victory

Who needs Socceroo Jason Culina when you've got Shane Smeltz?
Gold Coast defeated Sydney FC 2-1 in the 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 had predicted 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 - making his
tally a remarkable eight goals from just five games - sealed victory against an
ordinary Sky Blues.
Smeltz, who won the Golden Boot Award last season with 12 goals, now has more goals
himself this term than the total number scored by any other A-League team.
Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg will be delighted with the convincing victory,
especially taking in the fact another attacking weapon, Joel Porter, spent most of
the game on the sideline.
Porter was in the thick of the action until forced off in the 19th minute with a
calf injury.
Brazilian import Robson, back after a three-week absence due to a knee injury,
performed admirably as Culina's replacement in front of another poor crowd of 6,406.
Robson's compatriot Milson, Zenon Caravella and speedster Tahj Minniecon were also
superb as they made Sydney's defence look pedestrian.
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 was directed at 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.
Sydney game themselves a chance of pulling off an unlikely draw when substitute
Steve Corica headed home a Cole cross in the 75th minute.
There were some heart flutters when Aloisi had an 89th minute free kick from just
outside the box but the ball slammed into United's wall.