Canty Dragons claim league leaders scalp
Two goals within a three minute span carried Canterbury United to a vital 2-0 victory over competition leaders Eastern Suburbs.
Attacking midfielder Andre de Jong was at his mercurial best for Canterbury as they delivered their finest showing of the Stirling Sports Premiership season at Christchurch’s English Park on Sunday.
De Jong was the architect of the win, putting them ahead 1-0 just after the halftime break with a 25-yard screamer and then having an instrumental hand in the second.
It was just the performance coach Willy Gerdsen demanded after back to back losses and a poor past month, where they only gained four competition points.
De Jong rated the stunning volley as one of the best of his young career.
‘‘There was good build-up play and it popped out. I thought why not. We always knew we’d start to fire up front. To keep a clean sheet against a top team like that puts us in very good stead.’’
The victory will provide Canterbury with confidence ahead of next Sunday’s final match before the Christmas break against defending champions Team Wellington in the capital.
Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs lacked their usual bite in the attacking third with Canterbury producing a strong defensive effort across the field to hand them just their second loss of the season.
Their frustrating afternoon was summed up when Anthony Hobbs was shown red in added time for his second bookable offence.
Canterbury’s build-up to the match wasn’t ideal with right back Brock Messenger and Papua New Guinea striker Nigel Dabinyaba both heading offshore for trials at professional clubs.
Messenger is trying his luck in Finland, while Dabinyaba, who only played two matches for Canterbury, has joined Malaysian Super League club, FA Penang. De Jong said their departure seemed to rally the squad and unite them even more.
‘‘I think to lose those two was a bit of a shock mid-week. It sort of almost brought us together. We’ve got a good team culture and it showed.’’
If the players are unsuccessful with their trials, they will return to Canterbury and link back up with the Dragons, a club spokesman said.
Canterbury have frequently stated they’re keen to see players further themselves and play the highest standard of football possible and will never stand in their way.
Gerdsen praised his team’s energy and commitment, lauding fullbacks Aaron Spain and Andreas Wilson, who set the tempo.
‘‘We deserved to win against the top of the table team with a lot of former and current All Whites,’’ Gerdsen said. ‘‘Our approach was good, our attitude was good.’’
De Jong produced a finish of the highest order to open the scoring, just after halftime. He unleashed a screamer from 25 yards out, which sailed into the top corner, giving goalkeeper Silvio Rodic no chance.
It was a brilliant finish from the former Junior All White, who needed to step up after a quiet start to the season by his own high standards.
He helped set up the second goal when he was brought down in the box by Luke Adams, three minutes later, after an incisive run. Aaron Clapham sent his spot kick down the middle for his fifth penalty of the season and sixth goal overall.
Scoring chances were limited in the first half with the match played mostly in mid-pitch. Defender Tom Schwarz had the best opportunity of the first half but sent his shot wide in the 20th minute.