Sydney FC striker Shane Smeltz has expressed his remorse after inflicting a serious facial injury on Newcastle goal keeper Mark Birighitti, however, the Kiwi has vowed not to change his style.
The prolific striker hospitalised his friend due to an ugly collision that left Birighitti with blood pouring out of his mouth and his front teeth broken.
"I've thought about that (changing the way I play), I don't think it will. I've always been the same player and I don't need to change it in any way," Smeltz said.
The veteran striker came under heavy criticism for attacking a ball already smothered by the Jets' shot-stopper but insists he never intended to make contact. Concerns for Birighitti's welfare never left his mind as Smeltz called the player early on Sunday.
"How many times do you see and how many times have strikers and goalkeepers collided? Nine times out of 10, it's just a collision where the striker falls over the goalkeeper and nothing happens. It's part of the game, sometimes these things happen and nobody goes into games with the intention to cause harm," he said.
Read more at SMH.com.au
