Australia NewsSpot On Shane Rescues Phoenix |
SHANE Smeltz struck twice from the penalty spot as Wellington Phoenix rescued a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle Jets.
Smeltz was on target twice in the second half of an entertaining encounter which saw Newcastle come from a goal down to lead 2-1 late in the game. But an 89th minute penalty, earned by Leilei Gao and finished off by Smeltz, meant both sides claimed a share of the points.
The public holiday crowd at EnergyAustralia Stadium could not have expected a goalfest when the two teams went into half time without having scored.
But seven minutes into the second half, Vaughan Coveny created the first goal when Daniel Piorkowski brought his charging run into the box to an end in an illegal manner. Smeltz stepped up to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
But seven minutes later, Tarek Elrich backed himself with a long-distance shot. A small but crucial deflection looped the ball over Mark Paston and into the net to make it 1-1.
The momentum switched and on 68 minutes a long ball into the box caught Paston flat footed. Edmundo Zura pounced, getting to the ball first and heading it clear for substitute Kaz Patafta to finish from point-blank range.
However, with the three points beckoning, Newcastle shot itself in the foot when Matt Thompson blocked Gao's run into the box, leaving the referee little option but to point to the spot for a second time.
Ante Covic guessed the right way this time, but such was the power on the penalty, the keeper had no hope of stopping the ball going in.
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