Soccer: Cardozo homes in on 100-goal milestone

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Northern Spirit striker Pablo Cardozo is a goal away from becoming the 13th player to score 100 NSL goals.

A fingertip save by Brisbane Strikers goalkeeper Jason Kearton from a Cardozo freekick denied him that milestone in the entertaining 1-1 draw at Ballymore.

After a scoreless first half, Cardozo put the Sydneysiders ahead 20s into the second spell when Kearton succeeded only in parrying Cardozo's left-foot shot into the Strikers' net.

A late goal from Paul Foster maintained Brisbane's unbeaten start to the season and kept them to within five points of leaders Perth Glory, who beat Sydney United 2-1.

Brisbane have the chance to close the gap at the top of the table this week as Perth sit out the bye. Brisbane are away to fourth-placed Parramatta Power.

The fifth round was notable for a spate of draws, with the points shared in four of the six games.

The Football Kingz could take some heart from their battling 2-2 draw in Wollongong, with Jonathan Perry and Andy Vlahos finding the net.

The Kingz are second equal in the goalscoring stakes with eight. Only Perth (16) are ahead of the Kingz and Brisbane.

For the third time in four matches, South Melbourne failed to score as they lost their home game - played at Colonial Stadium - with Melbourne Knights 1-0. Steve Horvat knocked in the winner.

Newcastle United retained their unbeaten start to the season but lost ground on the leaders when they finished 2-2 in Adelaide after being 0-2 down.

In the other game - another 2-2 draw - Parramatta picked up a valuable away point in their game with the Olympic Sharks.

In sixth-round feature games, Newcastle are at home to the Sharks in the only match on Saturday.

In Friday action, the Kingz play Sydney United away and Melbourne Knights have home advantage against Marconi.