Smeltz & Adelaide

Let's get down to business<!-- author --> <!--dt><img src="/images/author.jpg" border="0" alt="Greg%20Buckle" /></dt--> By Val Migliaccio
<!--strong>Former Australian Captain</strong -->October 27, 2007 <!-- // author -->

WELLINGTON striker Shane Smeltz says his heart still lies with New Zealand despite Adelaide connections tugging on his emotions ahead of tomorrow's fixture against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The New Zealand international married Adelaidelady Nicole and owns a house in the City of Churches but that's where the sentiment comes to a grinding halt.

"I've got some fond memories here (in Adelaide)," Smeltz said at Adelaide airport yesterday.

"It's good to be back.

"But we're here for business.

"We've had an ordinary couple of weeks and it's a good time to correct that."

Smeltz and Phoenix captain - axed Adelaide skipper Ross Aloisi - are just part of a problem which will confront a decimated United tomorrow.

Adelaide's hope of a hat-trick of victories took a monstrous hit when Jonas Salley was ruled out of the clash after succumbing to a knee injury yesterday.

Diego will slot into Salley's holding midfield player's role while Milan Susak will make his run-on A-League debut for Angelo Costanzo, who has a knee injury.

The double injury blow could bolster Wellington's chances of snatching a result.

Phoenix is charged with a super roster that includes marquee striker Ahmad Elrich, five All White internationals, handy Brazilians Daniel and Felipe and Kiwi national coach Ricki Herbert.

Smeltz said it was just a matter of time before Phoenix produced consistent positive results.

The club is sitting six points adrift of Adelaide on the A-League ladder but is playing the best football seen from a New Zealand club side in Australia's competition.

Smeltz, who is the A-League's equal leading scorer alongside Adelaide's injured Bruce Djite with four goals, said there would be no hard feelings despite the fact he's hoping to bury his old club.

Smeltz said he and Aloisi had been looking forward to meeting Adelaide at Hindmarsh since his 87th-minute goal forced a 2-2 draw in Wellington last month.

Smeltz was part of Adelaide's side in 2003 but the skilful striker missed most of the season through injury after signing from Adelaide City.

Smeltz said he had moved on since he was rejected by Adelaide at the start of the inaugural A-League season.

"That's just football," he said.

"It's a case of when I was here in Adelaide at Adelaide United, unfortunately I had an injury that was pretty much around the whole season.

"But I had some good times at Adelaide City and I'm enjoying myself where I am now."

Smeltz forged a career in England with AFC Wimbledon in 2005-2006 after he left Adelaide, scoring 28 goals in 61 appearances before moving to Halifax Town and then on to Wellington.

He made global headlines when he jagged a brace for the All Whites in a 2-2 draw with Wales at Wrexham in May.