News
Last Home Game of Regular Season for Gold Coast United
Thu Feb 4 2010
United’s five wins in their last seven outings, including the scalps of Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, have taken Miron Bleiberg’s side to second place on the ladder, level on points with Melbourne with just two rounds remaining.
Smeltz said although the training ground atmosphere is relaxed and jovial, the professional focus of the playing group has sharpened in recent weeks as the end of season tension kicks in.
“There’s a really good vibe around the club at the moment and everyone is performing well,” Smeltz said.
“All the players realise how important it is to finish in the top two, but our aim all along has been to finish first. We’re right in the mix for that and have worked hard to get ourselves in this position, so we don’t want to let it slip now with only two games to go.
“Our record is good at Skilled Park, the crowds have been building and creating a great atmosphere, so we have to be confident heading into what is another big game. With what we are aiming to achieve games don’t get any bigger than this and we’re all looking forward to it.
“The last two matches (Wellington at home and North Queensland away) are ones that we feel we can win if we play well and stay on top of our game. This is our last home fixture and we want to end our home season on a high and give the fans a good performance to enjoy.”
The Hyundai A-League’s leading scorer with an impressive 19 goals, the New Zealand international has drawn a blank in front of goal in the last four rounds, but says the fact that other members of the side have been finding the net of late is a good sign for the club.
Smeltz’s four-game dry spell equals his quietest run this term, but given his lethal record in United colours few would bet against him finding the net once again this Sunday.
“My job is to go out there and try to score every week and I’m really looking forward to the game,” he said.
“It’s good for the club that other players have been getting a few goals and over the last couple of months we have really come together as a squad which has resulted in some nice football.
“This is the best time to hit the kind of form we have be showing, so hopefully it can continue. We all know that it will be yet another tough game this week, as they all are at the moment, but we’re keen to put on a good performance and get the result we need. Three points are crucial and we know what is at stake.”
Having famously suffered their heaviest defeat (6-0) at the hands of Wellington back in round 12, Smeltz insists that he and his team-mates have put that result behind them, no matter how often they are reminded of it.
With points more important than pride this week, the 28-year-old striker says the sole objective versus Wellington is secure another vital win, not to exorcise any lingering demons against the only side United have failed to beat, or score against, this year.
“A lot of time has passed since that bad result in Wellington and it came in a bad patch for us. It’s in the back of our minds but that’s it – we’ve moved on since then and are showing some good form now.
“Consistency has been the key for us. A lot of players who were troubled with injuries have come back well and it’s helped that we’ve had a settled side for a while.
“Coming into this part of the season everyone is buzzing about playing in finals football and that has created a lot of competition for places, which is what you want. Everyone wants to play and everyone wants to do well.”
In other news, Gold Coast have released Brazilian midfielder Jefferson from the remainder of his one-year contract with the club. After suffering a serious knee injury earlier in the season, Jefferson has returned to Brazil to continue his rehabilitation, with his place on United’s permanent roster to be occupied by wing-back Anderson.
Hyundai A-League Round 26 - Sunday 7 February 2010
GOLD COAST UNITED v WELLINGTON PHOENIX
At Skilled Park, Robina
Kick-Off: 6.00pm (local), 7.00pm (AEDT)
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD & 1 and Sky Sport 1. To purchase tickets for the big game visit www.ticketek.com.au.
Gold Coast United Squad:
1.Jess VANSTRATTAN (gk), 3.Michael THWAITE, 5.ROBSON, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Jason CULINA (c), 11.Charlie MILLER, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 17.Matt OSMAN, 18.James BROWN, 19.Andrew BARISIC, 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk), 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 36.Dino DJULBIC.
*three to be omitted
In: James BROWN (promoted), Andrew BARISIC (promoted), Matt OSMAN (promoted), Steve FITZSIMMONS (promoted).
Out: Steve PANTELIDIS (suspended – 5 games).
Unavailable: Adama TRAORE (ankle injury – 2 weeks), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite).
Wellington Phoenix squad:
40.Liam REDDY [gk], 2.Manny MUSCAT, 3.Tony LOCHHEAD, 4.Jon McKAIN, 6.Tim BROWN, 7.Leo BERTOS, 8.Paul IFILL, 9.Chris GREENACRE, 11.DANIEL, 13.Troy HEARFIELD, 14.Adrian CACERES, 15.Eugene DADI, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 20.Reece CROWTHER [gk], 22.Andrew DURANTE (c).
*one to be omitted
In: Vince LIA (return from suspension)
Out: DIEGO (omitted)
Unavailable: Mark PASTON [gk] (leg – season)
Head-to-Head:
All matches (played 2): Gold Coast United wins 0, Wellington Phoenix wins 1 (1 draw)
