Under 12s
Tommy Giuliani
Such a tough 8.45am start for the 12s on Sunday morning away to Eastern Lions.Again as in previous weeks we've had an interrupted training schedule due to the weather and ground lockdowns.In our encounter with the Lions earlier this year we won 6-0.On Sunday we drew 1-1. Three factors influenced the score line
- Early start away,
- I felt a need to start a talented player as a sub due to continual poor punctuality on a day where we only had 12 kids available, and
- Eastern Lions played well and were very, very lucky!
I keep reminding my boys these clubs are all NPL quality - there's no such thing as a poor quality team. In saying that I was mostly pleased with our football. We remain committed to our brand and we continue to develop our habits and skills
We conceded early in the game to a soft penalty.We were very comfortable at the back all day however;the only way they could break us down would have been a self inflicted error like an own goal or a fortunate penalty. And so it happened.
Our second half was wonderful, full of attacking intent. Our two wingers Corbo and Georgiou tearing Eastern Lions apart and Corbo contributing a beautiful assist for Garang Koul to finish with a cheeky flick. We won many corners and young Harrison Mazzella smashed a great strike on the edge of the box into the crossbar. We had complete control of the game and that satisfied me. Brodie Wooster took an important step in his development. He was solid all day and his body shape was great when receiving his first touch. Tutu Taya was the best player on the park by a very long way. He was so relaxed on the ball setting us up from deep. Also Daniel Lintons distribution in goals was 10/10.
Next week we play Nunawading City who play a wonderful brand of football,similar to ourselves but not as attacking and probably a little sterile and indirect. I'm backing my boys to beat them at their own game.I can't wait!⚽️
Under 13s
Matthew Lelliot
(Thanks to Tommy who stepped in to coach the Under 13s while Matty was on seniors duty!)
Tough day for the 13s on Sunday morning losing to Eastern Lions 4-2.After our boys opening the scoring with an early goal,it went downhill quickly thereafter.We were just were unable to retain possesion of the ball,and when we lost the ball our pressing to win it back was below standard.
Our main problems were lack of movement to support our teammates when we were in possesion,to create those triangles and a lack of shape,which makes it very hard to keep the ball or defend the ground when we lose it.
Also our intensity and tempo was down.These boys need to knuckle down and work a lot lot harder to reap the rewards of hard work!
The positives were that they scored two goals and if they can play with width and a high tempo they will turn things around really quickly.
Under 14s
Nathan Saron & James Lelliot
The boys were in with a real chance to win two in a row this week. We started the game on the move and created chances through the first half, taking a 0-1 lead only problem was we allowed Eastern Lions as many chances and they scored in the last minute of the half from a corner to make it 1-1.
We worked harder in the second half shut the opposition down a bit quicker, we were able to score a second goal and hold onto that advantage.
Thanks to Billy and Teng for stepping up this week.
Under 15s
Glen Wilson
Once again we had an imperfect week on the training track with both illness and injuries. I wonder how good we could be if we ever got a sustained run of things. With a depleted team and some playing in foreign positions we got off to a very strong start and if only we could take one or two of our scoring opportunities. Scores were at nil all at the half.
The second half was much like the first and finally through some great team play Fraser was able to put one in the net to give us a lead. Unfortunately our opponents upped their intensity and that caused us to lose a bit of composure on the ball and eventually they managed to equalise in the 2nd last minute!
A result like that can sometimes feel like a loss .... But it's fair to say the game was very entertaining as both teams did play quite well. Keep your heads up lads and keep working hard - the results will look after themselves. Finally, thanks to Moses from 14's for stepping up - an outstanding job young man!
Under 16s
Paul Nieuwenhuizen
With the team on a high from the previous game, our expectations were we could win this weekend. This optimism changed rapidly with a number of players unavailable due to the flu - or just did not show up and so let their teammates down.
We started the match with 5 fresh players and 8 players backing up from the under 15s. Despite the lack of fresh legs in the team we took the lead through a well taken goal by Elia. The team was reminded to stay compact defensively when the opponent had the ball. Despite their best endeavours, the boys conceded 2 goals before halftime due to some poor decision making.
The 2nd half was fairly uneventful with neither side worrying the goalkeeper and both teams turning the ball over through a combination of pressure and skill error.
This was a game that was there to win but proved to be an opportunity lost. I would like to say thanks to the following players, Fraser, Conor, Kaine, Callum, Hamish, Nick & Bowdie for helping fill the void created.
Under 18s
Pat Kielty & Shaban Mehmet
We went in to this game with high hopes but due to a severe case of man flu we only had eight players three of whom also had the flu but were drugged up. We had to call on five younger players who had just finished their own game to make up numbers.
We went down early on to an excellent goal by Eastern Lions and shortly afterward we had a player sent off for a very questionable straight red card. This meant that for all but 15 minutes we only had ten players. The team rallied and we were matching them in every department. We got one back from a good strike from Elia Lulerhe. Shortly afterwards our keeper Clayton jumped and clearly caught the ball in the six yard area and was knocked to the floor from a very heavy challenge, dropped the ball and they scored. In my unbiased opinion it was clearly a free kick but the young referee saw it otherwise.
The first half ended with us down 2-1. The second half remained scoreless for a long period as both teams matched each other. They then had a strike that was missing but deflected of one of their players back into our goal. That was the last time they threatened our goal. We didn’t drop our heads and got one back from some quick thinking by Willie Sauiluma who saw the keeper out of position and scored a long distance shot.
The match ended Eastern Lions 3 GVS 2. Considering the circumstances we did very well and I was very proud of the the team. Thanks to Elia, TC, Charlie, Willie and Kaine for running their legs off and on another day the game would have been ours. Well done boys.
Under 20s
David Davkovski & Matt Maiorano
This week’s game was ok for us considering we went down to 10 men for 75% of the match. Losing your GK is always difficult considering we were not prepared for this outcome. Good to see our senior coach get in the sticks with little to do for the remainder of the match apart from the penalty they scored as a result of the red card.
Leading up to this point defensively we looked very strong and organised each time we transitioned. Our mid field players were super in these moments and we were rewarded with a goal early as a result of this.
I think it’s too easy to point out players week in week out, but when you have all your players ready to play, is a result in itself. Our boys had something to prove against another top opposition as a result of last week. After we went down to 10, we reshuffled to be more defensive and play on the counter and this worked well for us, they didn’t really expose us and we played the game out with possibly more scoring chances then them.
We had some good chances late in the match to win but we again proved we weren’t clinical enough in front of goal. We can’t be too hard on the guys because they simply did everything we asked and they were a little tired trying to cover that extra zone. Another hard match this week against Moreland Zebras who sit second in the NPL2 West division. GO SUNS!!
Seniors
Nick Kalafatis & Serkan Aktas
Firing Saints melt Suns
Shepparton News | 9 August
The Goulburn Valley Suns put in a gallant effort against a determined St Albans outfit but were unable to secure the victory, going down 2-1 in a cross-conference clash.
The Suns came up against a Saints outfit that was firing from the get-go as they aimed to move on to the top of the table in the National Premier League division two west division.
But the Suns were up to the task, matching their higher-ranked opponents in a highly skilled and fastpaced affair.
GV had much of the play for the first half an hour of the game, hitting the post twice before putting the first score on the board.
Anthony Gaillard got the breakthrough at the 29 minute mark of the first half, finding himself on the end of a right cross which the Frenchmen sent into the left corner of the net.
But the Suns would only hold the lead for a minute before St Albans equalised.
A poor clearance from defence resulted in the Saints taking a successful shot from outside the box as both teams headed into the half-time break at one-all.
The Suns did not drop off in intensity in the second half, pressing to create some opportunities as the Saints superb defence ensured they were only minor chances.
Instead, it was St Albans that converted as a shot deflected off a Suns defender and into the net, putting the home side up at the 57 minute mark of the game.
Suns coach Nick Kalafatis was impressed with his side’s ability to keep pressing as they were not resigned to making the trip home with no points to show.
But the sending off of Fahad Alghazaly at the 80-minute mark made creating a strong forward press too difficult.
Alghazaly received his second yellow card of the match following an illegal tackle outside the box and as a result will miss next week’s match against the Moreland Zebras.
Captain Cody Sellwood was exceptional after returning from injury, with Gaillard playing an important role in creating drive for his team.
Kalafatis was extremely pleased with his team’s performance, saying they were a tough opponent for one of the division’s strongest sides.
‘‘Either team could have won, we deserved something out of the game,’’ he said.
‘‘We had some good chances and we’re unlucky not to put them away.’’
He said the team thrived under the high intensity match, as St Albans successfully secured top of the table in their division.
‘‘The boys overall as a team played really well, even under pressure kept the ball well and moved the ball well,’’ Kalafatis said.
‘‘We didn’t give much away,’’ he said.
With everyone at home we will also take updated photos of some our changed or expanded squads - including our elusive Under 20s. If everyone is on time and cooperates it should be a quick and painless exercise - if not...
Every weekend we are required to provide 1 linesman and 1 marshal for each game.
