Match Report: South Island United 3-3 South Melbourne

It was a six-goal thriller at the Santos National Football Stadium, as South Island United drew 3-3 with South Melbourne FC.

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United started off sharply, pressing the Australian side's into mistakes early on. The opener came through Haris Zeb, scoring for the second match in a row. Lewis Partridge's cross was read poorly by goalkeeper Shalamanov-Trenkova, who failed to claim the ball under pressure from Ryan Feutz. The ball fell to Zeb, who slotted it home to give his side the lead.

South Melbourne responded in the 18th with really was their first significant chance of the game. It was a lovely through ball played by Jack Lampard towards Yuki Uchida, whos ran in behind Jacob Krayem and placed the ball beyond Steven Van Dijk to equalize.

Things got worse for United just before the break, as Steven Van Dijk's collision with Uchida was deemed to be a penalty. Max Mikkola stepped up and smashed it into the top right corner to give Hellas the lead at half time.

Just like the first half, South Island United came out flying, this time searching for an equalizer. That search didn't last long, with Haris Zeb taking on the opposing full back and playing the ball across the box to David Yoo to score his first ever South Island United goal.

It got even better in a matter of moments for Rob Sherman's men. They won the ball straight from kick off, sending David Yoo in behind. Shalamanov-Trenkova denied the midfielder, but Jaylen Rodwell was not to be denied. as the ball was cleared away, the ball was taken down calmly by Rodwell, who then thundered the ball into the top left corner from almost 30 yards out. An early contender for goal of the season for sure. What a hit from the New Zealand born Niuean.

Unfortunately for South Island United, they could not hold onto the slender advantage. After losing the ball in midfield, Grover was beaten fro pace down the wing by substitute Arran Cocks, who played it across for Jordon Swibel to equalize.

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The draw leaves United with 4 points from their opening 3 matches, with a match against currently winless Solomon Kings on Wednesday afternoon.

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