Soccer: Loss hurt more than nose blow - Smeltz

Shane Smeltz needed around 50 stitches after suffering a horrific gash under his nose. Photo / Getty Images

All Whites striker Shane Smeltz has posted a photo on Twitter following plastic surgery on his nose after suffering a bloody blow during Perth's A-League final defeat to Brisbane on Sunday.

The A-League's all-time leading goal-scorer bravely played out 80 minutes of the decider after a horrific gash under his nose due to a sickening collision with Brisbane Roar skipper Matt Smith.

Smeltz copped an accidental elbow from Smith in the 15th minute of the Glory's dramatic 2-1 loss which saw his skin split from his nose to his lip and also inside his mouth. 50 stitches were later needed to reattach part of his nose during plastic surgery.

The All White posted a photo on Twitter today with the message: "My girls weren't too keen for kisses this morning #whereisthelove".

Smeltz told the West Australian that losing the match hurt more than a gruesome nose injury.

"When the equalising goal went in it was like another kick in the teeth to be honest," he said. "And losing it like that hurt more than anything. It breaks your heart.

"To be honest, adrenaline kept me going. It was hard to breathe and I got a little bit of dizziness at times. But we were trying to win the grand final."

Perth coach Ian Ferguson admitted he almost replaced the New Zealand international at halftime as he struggled to breathe.

Yesterday Smeltz's wife Nikki posted a graphic picture of his face on Twitter with the post "getting ready for plastic surgery!"

With a bandage wrapped around his nose and lip, the All Whites striker unsurprisingly failed to make the impact expected as Perth didn't have a shot on goal all match.

The Glory hit the lead in the 51st minute through an own goal by defender Ivan Franjic after a dangerous build-up by Billy Mehmet and Travis Dodd.

- AAP/HERALD ONLINE