Soccer: In-form Sharks top NSL

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Defending NSL champions Olympic Sharks warmed up for their transtasman trip to Auckland this week with a 2-0 home win over Brisbane.

The Sharks now lead by a point from Perth Glory who had a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Newcastle United.

Last year's beaten finalists are three points clear of three teams.

The Football Kingz, with their one-win, two-draw, one-loss record, remain in the top six.

Sydney United, who had the bye (and drew 0-0 with the Kingz in the season opener), have the best defensive record, having conceded just one goal in their three outings.

The Sharks, Football Kingz and Melbourne Knights have each conceded two goals.

Playing at home to Parramatta Power, Adelaide City squandered a 2-0 lead as the visitors surged back to claim a 2-2 draw.

Northern Spirit also blew a 2-0 lead, but came back with an injury-time goal to beat South Melbourne 3-2.

The Melbourne Knights scored a 1-0 home win over the disappointing Marconi Stallions, who have just one point from four games.

In this week's feature matches, Newcastle are at home to Wollongong on Friday night and the Kingz play Olympic Sharks at Ericsson Stadium on Sunday.