Queensland 1 Gold Coast 3
BRISBANE - Prize recruits Jason Culina and Shane Smeltz ensured Gold Coast United celebrated their A-League debut with a cherished derby triumph at Suncorp Stadium.
Marquee man Culina and Kiwi Smeltz, the A-League's player of 2008-09, made an instant splash with a goal apiece to set up for a richly-deserved 3-1 victory over a frustrated Brisbane Roar last night.
There was never any doubt billionaire owner Clive Palmer's money wasn't well spent but skipper Culina's inspirational performance and Smeltz's class deep in attack showed United would be true to the early-season hype.
They also had plenty of support acts with Joel Porter setting up both their goals, Adam Griffiths and Robson toiling strongly and central defenders Michael Thwaite and Sebastian Van den Brink shutting down a host of dangerous Roar opportunities.
It was a particularly sweet victory for Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg against his former club and successor Frank Farina.
Farina had wished to end Palmer's quest for an undefeated premiership run before it started but the competition's big-talking new boys showed far more composure and polish in a sometimes fiery clash.
Ten players were booked, five from each side, including both skippers Culina and Craig Moore.
The 10th yellow card, in the 90th minute against United keeper Scott Higgins, gave the Roar a sniff of an unlikely win with Sergio van Dijk converting from the spot for a 2-1 scoreline.
But Brazilian midfielder Robson almost immediately killed off the home side, ending their six-match winning streak at Suncorp, by taking advantage of some lax defence for a solo dribbling goal.
Smeltz, last season's Johnny Warren Medallist and leading goalscorer, originally gave the visitors the ascendancy in the 17th minute by timing a beautiful run into the box and expertly inside heeling a Porter cross past Liam Reddy's left hand.
The New Zealand international provided server for Culina's 59th-minute goal with a counter-attack down the right before finding Porter who unselfishly flicked on to the Socceroos midfielder.
The crowd figure of 19,902 was also a moral victory for the Coast who had protested the FFA's switch of venue from the 27,000-capacity Skilled Park in the belief they would gain a bigger attendance in Brisbane.
The Roar was as fired up to put the new boys in their place as coach Frank Farina promised pre-match, but were also easily frustrated.
Dutchman Van Dijk wasted the two best Brisbane chances of the half, missing narrowly to the right after a Robbie Kruse intercept and then later failing to convert after smothering a terrible clearance by Higgins.
United, undefeated in the pre-season, looked far more composed but Culina was keeping a lid on the excitement.
"I must say we have a lot of work to do," he said. "There's a lot of improvement."
- AAP
