Hyundai A-League Week 20
At AAMI Park, Melbourne

MELBOURNE HEART 1 (Babalj 79’)
GOLD COAST UNITED 0
HT: 0-0
Referee: Alan Milliner

MELBOURNE Heart took the points but Gold Coast United’s young troops will surely take the plaudits after a determined and gritty performance at AAMI Park that belied their tender years.

Although Eli Babalj’s 79th minute goal sealed the win for the home side, United’s kids will go away with their heads high from a match in which they were good value for at least a point.

In the end it was a moment of experience that counted for Heart. When the wily Fred clipped a ball to the far post Matt Thompson kept his head to keep the ball alive, leaving Babalj with a simple tap in.

The move began after Gold Coast gave up possession too close to their own goal and couldn’t recover their positions in time to prevent the decisive strike. To be punished for one of the few defensive mistakes they made all night perhaps typifies United’s luck this season.

Central defensive pair Zac Anderson and Kristian Rees were steady and commanding throughout, tightly marshalling the home attack and looking to play out of defence whenever they could.

Fielding their youngest ever starting side, and with only veteran Rees on the field to raise the average age, Gold Coast can be proud of their performance against a far more experienced Melbourne engine room.

United’s teenage midfield trio of Josh Brillante, Jake Barker-Daish and Mitch Cooper battled from the first whistle to the last and showed plenty of promise for the future.

Heart dominated possession in the first period as some understandably nervous touches from United turned the ball over too often, but the home side did little with it.

Germano headed straight at Gold Coast keeper Jerrad Tyson and Fred failed to capitalise on a good opportunity close in as United continued to frustrate Heart with their solid defensive shape.

It was the visitors who had perhaps the best early chance when Chris Harold’s shot was blocked in the box as they looked to spring a surprise in the opening stages. Despite going on to see less of the ball than their opponents United posed a threat of their own with Golgol Mebrahtu enjoying his best half of football in a Gold Coast shirt.

Mebrahtu’s pace and balance with the ball continued to open up space and worry the Heart rearguard. So much so that in just the fifth minute Brendan Hamill was fortunate to receive only a yellow card for a scything challenge on the United forward.

Gold Coast started the second period brightly and more good work from Mebrahtu set Halloran on a run that culminated in a decent effort that Clint Bolton collected comfortably.

Midway thought the half United had Ivorian defender Adama Traore to thank for keeping the scoreline blank when he produced a superb goal-line clearance. Rutger Worm whipped in a corner that was met strongly by Simon Colosimo and although his header had Tyson beaten, Traore saved the day by reacting well and nodding clear.

With young full-back Daniel Bowles getting forward whenever possible and Halloran trying desperately to create an opening, United fought to the end but were beaten by both the clock and the moment of quality from Fred and Thompson that decided the match.

Gold Coast will have little time to lick their wounds though with the visit of table-toppers Central Coast Mariners to Skilled Park coming up next Wednesday evening.

Gold Coast United:
20.Jerrad Tyson [gk], 2.Josh Brillante, 4.Zac Anderson, 5.Kristian Rees, 7.Golgol Mebrahtu, 11.Jake Barker-Daish (21.Daniel Severino 84’), 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 17.Chris Harold, 28.Daniel Bowles, 33.Mitch Cooper (c).
Unused subs: 30.Brendan White [gk]. 26.Ambes Yosief, 31.Daniel Bragg.
Yellow cards: Bowles 24’, Halloran 75’, Harold 83’.
Red cards: None.

Melbourne Heart:
1.Clint Bolton [gk], 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4.Simon Colosimo, 5.Fred (c) 7.Rutger Worm, 10.Wayne Srhoj (6.Matt Thompson 70’), 11.Alex Terra (19.Eli Babalj 56’), 13.Jonatan Germano (26.Paul Reid 46’), 15.David Williams, 27.Craig Goodwin.
Unused subs: 30.Sebastian Mattei [gk].
Yellow cards: Hamill 5’, Marrone 45+1’, Reid 67’.
Red cards: None.