Shane Smeltz’s four-goal haul will go down as one of the most dominant individual performances in the five-year history of the Hyundai A-League.
Smeltz was simply scintillating in his second outing for United, almost untouchable as he knocked in three goals in a 10-minute period in the second half.
The Kiwi’s 63rd-minute goal gave him his first Hyundai A-League hat-trick and less than 60 seconds later he became just the second man to score more than three in a match.
Only Archie Thompson’s bag of five goals of in the 2007 grand final stands above Smeltz’s showing.
After the match the All Whites striker heaped praise on his playmakers. especially Jason Culina, Joel Porter and Adama Traore.
“The service at the moment is fantastic, there is a lot of movement and a lot of quality in the midfield which is going to cause teams trouble,” Smeltz said.
Smeltz now has five goals in two matches for United and is well on his way to eclipsing the 12-goal mark which won him last year’s Golden Boot.
But the reigning Johnny Warren Medal holder insists that tallying goals is the last thing on his mind.
“I don’t really look to far down the track I just like to concentrate week to week and the next thing on my mind is a big game in Adelaide,” he said.
After losing Adam Griffiths to Saudi Arabian champion Al Shahab last week, United coach Miron Bleiberg knows too well that his star striker’s stunning performance will attract attention worldwide.
“Smeltzy is great striker and unfortunately for us an offer will probably come some time,” Bleiberg said.
“We have an arrangement and when the right offer comes we will congratulate him, he is 27 and we will not hold him back.”
“It is our job to produce good players and help them through their careers.”
