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Socceroo Jason Culina Scores On Gold Coast United Debut
The Australia international has opened his account with the newcomers, albeit in a pre-season clash.
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Jul 2, 2009 4:15:20 AM
Jason Culina has wasted no time in announcing his arrival as a Gold Coast United player, the former PSV Eindhoven man scoring on his debut as the A-League newcomers swept past the Singapore Under-23s by a 4-0 scoreline.
Coming off the bench for a cameo appearance in the last 20 minutes, Culina smashed a 30-metre drive into the back of the net with two minutes remaining after Steve Fitzsimmons’ cross was only half cleared by the home defence.
The game had been postponed for 24 hours after the team’s private jet was delayed in Port Headland as engineers waited for a maintenance part to be transported from Perth, but it was worth the wait for United coach Miron Bleiberg, who paired strikers Shane Smeltz and Joel Porter together for the first time since the latter joined the club from English side Hartlepool.
Matt Osman and Daniel Piorkowski both started and Jess Vanstrattan continued in goal as his quest for match sharpness gathered pace, although he was merely a spectator for much of this outing as United dominated on a warm, balmy night at Hougang Stadium.
Bleiberg’s men started well and controlled possession from the opening whistle with Zenon Caravella his usual busy self in midfield and young gun Tahj Minniecon looking menacing in his role behind the strikers.
The Smeltz/Porter combination showed early signs of a promising future, as the duo linked well several times to threaten the Singapore goal.
Their bright opening was rewarded in the 27th minute when Porter’s cross was turned in for an own goal by Abdil Qalyyim, who succumbed to pressure from the lurking Smeltz. The same player was later shown the first caution of the game after flooring Osman with a heavy challenge.
Eight minutes later, Osman’s free kick from the right was met forcefully by the head of Michael Thwaite, who powered home to make it two goals in two games for the former Melbourne Victory man.
The visitors were rarely in danger during the first period thanks to another dominant defensive performance from Dutch import Bas van den Brink, ably supported by the classy Adam Griffiths.
On the stroke of half-time, Smeltz almost added a third with a curling, 25-metre free kick that sneaked just past the upright.
Right after the break, Caravella was left frustrated when his header form Porter’s cross rebounded back off the crossbar.
However, it only took United until the 51st minute to confirm their dominance, thanks to the ever-dangerous Porter. Osman’s deep corner was met by Thwaite, whose effort came back off the post, but the United vice-captain rallied to clip a far-post cross towards the unmarked Porter, who made no mistake with his well-placed header.
Culina entered the fray in the 67th minute when he replaced Steve Pantelidis. The Socceroo midfielder’s class was evident immediately as his darting runs and clever use of the ball caused further grief for the home defence as United pressed for more goals.
His stinging low drive left Singapore ‘keeper Jasper Chan helpless as it flew into the net - a fitting introduction for Culina as he wore the gold and blue of United for the first time.
Following the emphatic win, Bleiberg’s men left for Hong Kong directly to prepare for their hit-out against Hong Kong FC on Friday evening, the final game in their two-match stint in Asia.
Singapore U-23 0
Gold Coast United 4 (Qalyyim [og] 27’, Thwaite 35’, Porter 51’, Culina 88’)
All the Australian soccer coverage you need on the Goal.com Australia homepage!
Coming off the bench for a cameo appearance in the last 20 minutes, Culina smashed a 30-metre drive into the back of the net with two minutes remaining after Steve Fitzsimmons’ cross was only half cleared by the home defence.
The game had been postponed for 24 hours after the team’s private jet was delayed in Port Headland as engineers waited for a maintenance part to be transported from Perth, but it was worth the wait for United coach Miron Bleiberg, who paired strikers Shane Smeltz and Joel Porter together for the first time since the latter joined the club from English side Hartlepool.
Matt Osman and Daniel Piorkowski both started and Jess Vanstrattan continued in goal as his quest for match sharpness gathered pace, although he was merely a spectator for much of this outing as United dominated on a warm, balmy night at Hougang Stadium.
Bleiberg’s men started well and controlled possession from the opening whistle with Zenon Caravella his usual busy self in midfield and young gun Tahj Minniecon looking menacing in his role behind the strikers.
The Smeltz/Porter combination showed early signs of a promising future, as the duo linked well several times to threaten the Singapore goal.
Their bright opening was rewarded in the 27th minute when Porter’s cross was turned in for an own goal by Abdil Qalyyim, who succumbed to pressure from the lurking Smeltz. The same player was later shown the first caution of the game after flooring Osman with a heavy challenge.
Eight minutes later, Osman’s free kick from the right was met forcefully by the head of Michael Thwaite, who powered home to make it two goals in two games for the former Melbourne Victory man.
The visitors were rarely in danger during the first period thanks to another dominant defensive performance from Dutch import Bas van den Brink, ably supported by the classy Adam Griffiths.
On the stroke of half-time, Smeltz almost added a third with a curling, 25-metre free kick that sneaked just past the upright.
Right after the break, Caravella was left frustrated when his header form Porter’s cross rebounded back off the crossbar.
However, it only took United until the 51st minute to confirm their dominance, thanks to the ever-dangerous Porter. Osman’s deep corner was met by Thwaite, whose effort came back off the post, but the United vice-captain rallied to clip a far-post cross towards the unmarked Porter, who made no mistake with his well-placed header.
Culina entered the fray in the 67th minute when he replaced Steve Pantelidis. The Socceroo midfielder’s class was evident immediately as his darting runs and clever use of the ball caused further grief for the home defence as United pressed for more goals.
His stinging low drive left Singapore ‘keeper Jasper Chan helpless as it flew into the net - a fitting introduction for Culina as he wore the gold and blue of United for the first time.
Following the emphatic win, Bleiberg’s men left for Hong Kong directly to prepare for their hit-out against Hong Kong FC on Friday evening, the final game in their two-match stint in Asia.
Singapore U-23 0
Gold Coast United 4 (Qalyyim [og] 27’, Thwaite 35’, Porter 51’, Culina 88’)
All the Australian soccer coverage you need on the Goal.com Australia homepage!
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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