Gooner Caitlin

Sunday, 22. April 2012, 13:03

That was cheating of the highest order by Berisha

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Shane Smeltz's wife Nikki has revealed the Perth Glory striker needed more than 50 stitches following the sickening injury he received in today's A-League grand final loss to Brisbane Roar.

Smeltz was caught in the face by Roar skipper Matt Smith elbow midway through the first half.

After lengthy treatment, a bloodied Smeltz was bandaged up and he carried on until late in the second half, despite coach Ian Ferguson saying the player had been struggling breathing and that he considered taking him off at half-time.

Smeltz went to hospital straight after the game where he was told he would require plastic surgery.

"Ok we're out of hospital and @ShaneSmeltz has over 50 stitches! As Bad as a car accident injury! Tough man... If I say so myself," tweeted Nikki Smeltz, who also put a picture of Smeltz on the social network site.

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Distraught Perth Glory midfielder Liam Miller last night spoke about the contentious penalty decision which destroyed his side's chances in the Hyundai A-League grand final at Suncorp Stadium yesterday.

Brisbane Roar's Albanian striker Besart Berisha, under pressure from Miller, went to ground after taking an air shot - only for referee Jarred Gillett to award the home side a decisive penalty just seconds from the final whistle.

Berisha scored from the spot to secure a 2-1 win for the Roar as they became the first side to clinch back-to-back A-League titles.

"I'm devastated. In my opinion, any contact with him wasn't enough for him to fall over and get a penalty," Irishman Miller told thewest.com.au.

The former Celtic and Manchester United playmaker joined most of his teammates in the Tinbilly Travellers pub after the game as a way of saying thank you to the hundreds of Glory fans who had flown over to cheer the side on

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With 94 minutes on the clock and the scores locked at 1-1, Roar striker Besart Berisha found himself with the ball at his feet in the opposition box after some impressive build-up play.


But when his first attempt at a shot was blocked and the Albanian forward was presented with a second chance, he spectacularly missed the ball under pressure from Liam Miller and landed face-first on the deck.


However, to Perth’s horror, the referee pointed to the spot after he had adjudged Miller to have made contact with Berisha, who composed himself for long enough (after wildly celebrating the penalty award) to slot home the winner.


After Sunday’s game, a shameless Berisha insists his conscience is clear, and refutes suggestions he conned the ref.


‘I just saw again some pictures this morning and you can see clearly the touch from the Perth player and I lost my balance,’ Berisha said.


‘It was clearly a penalty.'

Whatever you say, champ...

He continued: ‘I never made a penalty during the season. I do not do that.


‘You can see the touch from the defender and then I lost my balance. I am very happy the referee gives the penalty.


‘If not for sure I would have hit the ball if I had not been out of my balance.


‘This is the way it is in football. It is not easy to lose. I understand Perth is upset.’


Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddballs/897031-besart-berisha-wins-a-league-title-for-brisbane-with-controversial-penalty#ixzz1svkmC6Hx