Selections, tactics and Smeltz - Sydney vs Gold Coast review

Gold Coast have redeemed themselves after losing last week to Newcastle by beating a solid Sydney team 2-1. Shane Smeltz was the decisive factor, heading home the opener and showing a display of class composure to slot away his second. The lethal Kiwi took his tally this season to 8 goals in 5 games. Pure destruction.

The Gold Coast dominated the first 15 minutes comfortably, controlling the tempo and direction of play, giving Sydney FC youngster Rhyan Grant no time on the ball - The presence of the experienced Terry McFlynn obviously missed.

But it was no coincidence that when Alex Brosque joined the party, Sydney FC began to control the game a little more. Grant and Kisel looked a little more comfortable with their passes although they couldn't really get into the game. They managed to deliver some decent balls out to Brosque, Gan and Bridge. But Sydney were too deep, and Aloisi was isolated up front which halted any attacks in the final third. It was bland. It was unattractive, and that long ball tactic just simply was not working.

Were we thinking how lucky we were to be going into the break with the game still at 0-0? Damn straight. Maybe that's why Smeltz scored on almost the last kick - or head, if you will - of the game. A beautiful ball in from a set piece found Smeltz with pin point accuracy, and Smeltz showed even better accuracy with his head, as he lobbed the ball over helpless goalkeeper Clint Bolton as the ball sailed into the far corner. 1-0 Gold Coast.

Not to long into the second half, Danning came on for Bridge which moved Brosque into the center attacking role and Gan out onto the other wing. It worked a treat and the NAB young player of the month (Kofi Danning) combined with Shannon Cole to add flexabilty to the attack. Suddenly, the attack and crosses in from the right hand side applied plenty of pressure to the Gold Coast defence and Sydney looked the most likely of the two to score. Substitutes 1, Lavicka (Sydney FC manager) 0.

But the central midfield in the form of Grant and Kisel still looked shaky, and when Kisel misfired a pass it couldn't of fell at the feet of a worse person then Shane Smeltz. Unlucky son - but you just cost us dearly. 2-0 Gold Coast.

Off goes Kisel, on comes Corica.

We look even more likely.

Corica scores.

Substitutes 2, Lavicka 0.

Gold Coast 2-1 Sydney FC.

In McDonald we trust. Preview: Australia vs South Korea

A Cahill-less Australia is a lacking Australia. An Australia that lacks leadership. An Australia that lacks attack. An Australia that lacks drive. An Australia that lacks creativity, and ultimately, an Australia that lacks goals. Unfortunately for Australian fans, that is the Australia that will line up against South Korea on Saturday night. And if that's not enough, you can throw in Kewell, Carney, Wilkshire and Invincible in the list of players which will not take part in the friendly match.

Harry Kewell has an ankle problem, Invincible a back problem, Carney is settling into his new club and Wilkshire, in the words of Veerbeek, "has played plenty of football in the previous two months".

Josh Kennedy will take part in this fixture after being given the opportunity to settle into club life in Japan. His huge presence up front will be a great asset to the squad and could make up for the loss of Cahill.

South Korea are unable to select any domestic players in their squad as a full program of fixtures will take place the day after the match. As a result, memories will be jogged when players such as Ahn Jung-hwan, Kim Nam-il and Cha Du-ri will take their place on the pitch. Although, the squad is still a strong one with 4 EPL players in the line-up including Park Ji-Sung.

The Australians are going to have a tough game - I can see us losing 2-1 -and if there is one man we need to stand up in order to beat South Korea, it is Celtic striker Scott McDonald. The man we are all waiting on to score, eagerly sitting on the edge of our seats when an opportunity arises him, will need to take responsibility in this fixture and combine with Kennedy to lead Australia to victory.

McDonald has been speculated to a move to the EPL to join Wigan. His Celtic manager has taken it into his own hands to fiercely shoot down and kill the rumours, claiming the Australian was not leaving. Mowbrays desire to keep the forward in the green and white stripes must say something about his quality, and it's only a matter of time before he lands his first in the green and gold.

1 quality ball.

1 quality first touch.

1 quality strike.

That's all he needs.

In McDonald we trust.

Sydney's biggest challenge arrives.

At the end of this week, as we prepare for our weekend of football from leagues world-wide, there will be no game more eagerly anticipated in Sydney and the Gold Coast than the match that will kick off at 5pm on Saturday afternoon. The two glamour clubs collide in a clash of the titans, the winner taking the all vital 3 points which will place them high above the other teams on the top of the A-league after 5 rounds.

The new boys use a flamboyant style of play easy on the eye, a team for the neutral - their star studded line-up toying with the opposition before hammering the goals; 11 in total after 4 rounds. The other team, the underachievers of the last few years, have taken a more defensive approach - their defence is their form of attack. Sydney have not conceded in their last 3 matches.

Gold Coast and Sydney have both only conceded 2 goals - but Sydney are undoubtedly the team to beat, the only without a loss. They come into this game with all the momentum after polishing off a very professional performance against Wellington on Sunday at the football stadium. They had a few scares and Wellington managed to keep themselves in the game until Sydney scored the opener towards the back half of the game with a fiery header from Brendon Gan. A brilliant piece of play which involved Brosque playing in a beautiful chip pass to Aloisi who sealed the match with a show of clinical finishing.

Gold Coast were brought down back to earth - also on Sunday - away to Newcastle. The Jets, who are coached by Gold Coasts Jason Culinas dad, put in a very good performance which was capped off by a brilliant goal by Rooney. Rooney managed to draw the defender in before beating him and finishing it off with a powerful strike.

The teams are likely to cancel each other out, with Gold Coast racking up scores of 3-1 and 5-0 and Sydney more 1-0 and 2-0. Sydney like to work the opposition down with long balls from their defence - Keller has been greatly criticised for this - to the likes of Brosque up front. The amount of chances they make are of plenty, but the finishing could be better.

Gold Coast, with strike Shane Smeltz, have been on top goal scoring form and may be able to break the Sydney defence. Grand Finalist Adelaide came close but fell just short (1-0 loss) and you would be a brave man to argue their attack is more formidable then Gold Coast. The home crowd will undoubtedly make a massive contribution, but Sydney are great travellers and will be out in force.

Regardless, when the two teams walk out onto Skilled Park, all recent results will be forgotten and tempers will flare as Sydney and Gold Coast fight it out for a top of the table position.