Mixed pre-season results for Hyundai A-League's latest
There was mixed fortunes for the Hyundai A-League’s newest teams overnight, as they continue their preparations for the upcoming season. North Queensland Fury went down 1-0 in a hard fought game against Perth Glory in Mandurah, Perth while a ten-man Gold Coast United scored twice in the final ten minutes to claim a dramatic 2-2 draw against Central
Meanwhile, Wellington Phoenix kicked off their Pre-Season tour of China with an encouraging 2-2 draw with Chinese Super League team Tianjin Teda.
In Perth, Jamie Harnwell-s 17th minute proved the difference in a match that produced a number of firsts, mainly for the home side.
Qantas Socceroos defender Chris Coyne made his debut for Perth and turned in a commanding performance as he was paired with former English Premier League defender Andy Todd in the heart of Glory-s defence. Also playing his first game was striker Branko Jelic coming on as a second half substitute and showed enough to suggest that he could well prove a significant signing for the Glory.
The only goal came early in the match, when Victor Sikora stole the ball on half way and sent in a great cross to the far post which Sterjovski headed back into the danger area and Harnwell pounced to bundle a header over the line.
That was to be the only highlight for Harnwell though as he was later forced from the field with a hamstring injury, suffered while going for another header at goal in the 36th minute.
North Queensland marquee player Robbie Fowler entered the fray at half time and again looked on song in just his second match for the Fury. The former Liverpool star had two great opportunities late in the game to find an equaliser but just missed with both attempts.
On the Gold Coast, the home side overcame going down to ten-men for almost the entire second half, to fight back in the final ten minutes and snatch a draw with the Mariners.
Early second half goals from Pedj Bojic and Adam Kwasnik gave the Mariners a two-goal lead after United were reduced to ten men following Michael Thwaite-s 48th minute red card.
Facing the prospect of their first defeat of the pre-season campaign, United rallied and Shane Smeltz buried a last-gasp equaliser after Adama Traore had begun the fight-back, firing home with nine minutes remaining on the clock.
United had the better of the opening chances but the visitors could have taken an early lead had Michael McGlinchey not missed the target from close range in the second minute.
As Bleiberg-s men settled they produced a glorious move that began with Adama Traore-s precise pass to Zenon Caravella on the edge of the box. After some neat footwork Caravella found Shane Smeltz who fired a goal-bound shot towards Danny Vukovic, but the Mariners- custodian finger-tipped the ball past the post.
Both sides exchanged good chances in the first half, but were unable to find the target.
United suffered a double blow at the start of the second period when Michael Thwaite was red-carded for pulling back his opponent on the edge of the penalty area. If that wasn-t bad enough for United, from the resulting free-kick Bojic smashed the ball past Jess Vanstrattan to put the Mariners in front.
The visitors capitalised on their one-man advantage within minutes and doubled their lead when Adam Kwasnik tapped home from close range in the 53rd minute with Vanstrattan stranded.
Despite playing almost the entire second half with only ten men, United continued to press forward at every opportunity and reaped reward when Adama Traore halved the deficit with ten minutes remaining. A superb 50-metre cross-field ball from Culina found the Ivory Coast Under 23 international on the left touchline. Weaving past his marker, Traore sped towards goal before firing a deflected shot past Vukovic.
With the clock ticking down, United made the most of their final chance of the match when Culina-s pin-point free-kick was met by Shane Smeltz who made no mistake with his powerful header.
In Tianjin, Wellington blew a two-goal lead against Tianjin, but will Phoenix coach Riki Herbert was impressed by his teams effort.
Goals to Tim Brown and Ben Sigmund saw Phoenix take a 2-0 lead into the halftime break before Tianjin drew level through two late goals.
Phoenix head coach Ricki Herbert was impressed with the efforts of his men, who only arrived in China on Friday after the marathon journey from Wellington.
The Phoenix started brightly and early pressure resulted in the opening goal when Leo Bertos- 14th-minute free kick was turned back by striker Chris Greenacre to Brown, who smashed his shot from the six-yard box past the Tianjin keeper.
The visitors- second also came from a set-piece, with Bertos again the provider in the 36th minute. Bertos- corner was met by defender Sigmund, who nodded the ball in on the near post.
Herbert emptied his bench throughout the second half to ensure all squad members - including trial striker Anderson Potty, who replaced Greenacre in the 68th minute - got playing time.
But the sapping conditions took a toll on the Phoenix and Tianjin opened their account in the 74th minute from the penalty spot before leveling the scores with 10 minutes left.
Phoenix will wrap up their two-match tour of China against Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday and then return via Dubbo in NSW, where they will play Central Coast Mariners, to conclude their pre-season preparations.