On the homeward run....
It's the second half of the season for juniors and seniors with less than ten rounds to go. Wet weather continues to interrupt our training and game day preparations and we would like to thank everyone for their patience and efforts to accommodate change of venues, times and even training nights. On a positive note this week's match wraps have at least two coaches claiming their squads 'played em off the park' so lets enjoy the final rounds of another terrific season.
New junior game times for Sunday
Wet weather has forced changes to game times and locations for Sunday. All games are at Gardiners Creek Reserve - Pitch 1.
| Who’s playing |
Match Time |
| U12 |
8:45 am |
| U13 |
9:45 am |
| U14 |
11:00 am |
| U15 |
12:15 pm |
| U16 |
1:40 pm |
| U18 |
3:15 pm |
Bus for U16 and U18 squads
A bus is available for Under 16 and Under 18 squad members to travel to and from away games. The service is strictly for these squads.
- Eligible players must confirm their seat at Friday night training.
- A charge of $20 return must be paid before or on the day.
- If you fail to turn you will still need to pay the $20 charge.
This weekend the bus will depart Sunday, 9:30 am sharp from McEwen Reserve.
Marshalls and Linesman - please volunteer!
Every weekend we are required to provide 1 linesman and 1 marshal for each game.
- The marshal collects match balls and chaperones the referees too and from the pitch - and you get to wear a high-vis vest! Marshalls must be at least 18 years of age.
- The Linesman role usually involves calling the ball in or out of play and calling player offsides - all other player issues are managed by the Ref. There is no age limit so players can volunteer too!
If you can help for all or part of a game please advise your team manager. If you would like to help but want a little more training please speak with Paul Uniacke and we can arrange a session for you with one of our regulars.
One on One
Gerald Corbo meets Jordan Montagner
This week GV Suns under Under 12s player Gerald Corbo caught up with Senior player Jordan Montagner to ask the tough questions!
Name Jordan Montagner
Height 6ft 3’ in old measure
Weight 90
Age 23
Marital status single
How did you get started in soccer? I started in primary school soccer then when old enough to Shepp south.
Who is your favourite soccer player?
Cannavaro
What advice would you give to young players who want to become GV Suns seniors soccer players?
Dedication, train hard, success comes when put in enough of both
What is your favorite pre-game meal?
Pasta
Favourite movie and why?
Bad boys 2 because it’s funny
What are some of the lessons you’ve learned on your Soccer journey?
It is such a simple yet complex and intriguing game yet always able to learn more from it
What type of music do you listen to?
Hip hop, RMB, reggae
What is your preferred social media? Facebook my handle is Jordan.
GV Suns and Gowrie Street Training Session
Some of our players and coaches helped out with a training session for Gowrie Street Primary School junior teams. We understand everyone had a great time - thanks to our players and coaches!
Under 12s
Tommy Giuliani
What a great performance by the U12s Suns on Sunday defeating Box Hill 3-1! With an interrupted training schedule and a lack of games the boys put in a "Total Football" display. Their first half was superb, the best for the year and what was evident to me was their fierce desire to maintain possession of the ball, be patient in the middle third, control the tempo and then attack quickly. It was a mature display that also highlighted that their game intelligence is also improving.
Ultimately this is all dependent on their core skills, to be able to execute - if they don't it all breaks down and we lose the ball through poor control. This will continue to improve but the weather is hampering us.
When we lost possession our transitions into a compact shape, to press and win the ball back was also top notch. I can see the boys concentration on blocking passing lanes, getting goal side and delaying. They know that 99% of the game is played without the ball at your feet!
They continue to improve their scanning and communication and I thought we really switched the ball well, our centre backs Taya and Corso dropping off and seperating beautifully when we had possession, allowing us to recycle and switch
I couldn't be happier with their development. They are operating in the second tier of club football in Australia and are showcasing their talent. Honestly,we "Played 'em off the park!"?⚽️#SUNSGUNS#SUNSFOOTBALLFACTORY
Under 13s
Matthew Lelliot
A great game for the neutral between us and box hill on Sunday morning. The last couple of weeks we have been working on having controlled possession in the middle third, and after a slow first 10 mins I felt just before half time we were the better side but found ourselves 2-0 down after a dubious penalty and an unlucky one where our keeper fumbled and led to a tap in, we came back and immediately put on the pressure and after a great finish from diesel Batey it finished 2-1.
Great performance from the guys and an improvement from earlier on in the season when Box Hill gave us a touch up. Onto next week and hopefully a win!
Under 14s
Nathan Saron & James Lelliot
Wednesday night trainings the boys have been given the task of toughening up on the BPO side of the game. This week was the first time since Round 13 that we have been able to field our best team.
Our attitude towards the tasks necessary for this game were very good and it showed right from the start as the boys cut passing lanes, pressed and won the ball back Box Hill couldn't play their normal game and only managed a couple of long range shots. Nil all was the half time score although we could of had a lead, quick ball movement through the midfield into attack set up some great chances
that we just missed.
The second half was just as exciting, we were able to scramble a goal from a near perfect set up on a corner and score another from a good strike 20 yards out. 2-0 up was well deserved by the boys, Box Hill pressed late and had a shot or two that narrowly missed until one of their players dribbled our whole defence and slotted one in the corner, from there we won the game 2-1.
Thanks to Billy, Teng and Izaak for coming up to the 14's this week. Well done to all the players on their performances (for the team) it was a great win against the 2nd placed Box Hill.
Under 15s
Glen Wilson
Prior to the game we spoke about doing all the basics well, such as scanning, taking a positive first touch and playing the way we face. We will continue to work on these basics over and over again as we need to create these into habits - this will ensure that they lads do this sort of stuff without even thinking about it = it becomes automatic.
Up to this point I believe we’ve struggled to retain the ball for any length of time, maybe stringing 2 to 3 passes together and at best the occasional 4 to 5.
With our focus on these, we played our opposition off the park in the first 20 minutes, going 2 nil up…..the first goal due to some great play out on the wide right side, in which Alou got around a couple defenders and played a wonderful ball across the keeper to Hakan who then finished in clinical fashion from the back post.
The second goal was also a delight to see - another ball from wide on the right side, played through a couple quick triangles into the midfield and then across to the left side where Hakan made no mistake 1v1 with the Keeper.
I think it’s fair to say – those 2 goals were absolutely perfect, with great lead up play, stringing several passes together and excellent finishes
It was interesting to see the boys reaction – it was like they couldn’t believe how well they were playing. This probably saw us relax a bit and Box Hill rallied well and managed to get one goal back before the half-time break.
The second half started like the first and we managed to get our 3rd in the goal net within a few minutes to take our lead out by 2 again ……there was mention of calling ASADA by someone behind the bench at that stage ……our opponents then rallied again and were putting all they could into getting back into the game and it’s fair to say we lost our composure for a while and went back to old ways of just handing the ball back to the opposition…..thankfully, as they were throwing so many players forward, they left themselves quite open at the back and we got a 4th……….they continued to push forward and after some time got their 2nd goal and with 6/7 minutes left the pressure was on for us to hold on - and we did.
This was a landmark win for us, as the lads now know that if they play well, they are every bit as good (or better) than some of those Melbourne clubs. Bring on the next one – Eastern Lions!
And as we have said to them all season long ………………. ”It’s not about the results, it’s about how we play” …………..but it does feel good and makes us mighty proud when it all comes together like that!
Under 16s
Paul Nieuwenhuizen
With the difficulties of training and playing over the last few weeks the boys were ready to go. The game started at a fast pace and was very congested due to the small pitch. The team soon settled down to play some football. Our forwards worked well to restrict Box Hill from moving the ball out of their defensive 3rd and creating a number of chances caused by turnovers by Box Hill. A well taken goal by Elia saw the team take a deserved lead into half time.
The second half started much like the first with the Suns continuing to put pressure on the Box Hill goal with chances falling to Willie, Hammad, Kaine and Callum. Our defence and midfield worked together regularly interchanging positions to ensure Box Hill were not given any room to shoot at goal. Big thanks to our stand in goalkeeper Ali, who was well protected throughout the game by the entire team.
A well-deserved win that the team can carry forward to this week against the Eastern Lions.
Thanks to the under 15 boys in Conor, Kaine, Fraser, Callum and Hamish who made his debut in the under 16s.
Under 18s
Pat Kielty & Shaban Mehmet
We went into this game with sixteen players despite one of our squad playing up in the under 20’s and one being absent. That is an indication of how our numbers have improved.
Despite losing 3 - 1 we actually played quite well and probably deserved at least a draw. We went two nil down and then Ron Lawrence got us back in the game with an excellent header from a corner. Liam Nash was unlucky not to score from a cheeky chip which had the keeper beaten but was volleyed off the line by a defender. At this point we were in control of the game but then a lazy back pass to our keeper resulted in Sam Varley having to come out of his box and unfortunately he fouled the striker and was sent off. The resulting free kick was converted into their third goal.
We played the remainder with 10 men and could have easily got one back on another day. Despite the loss team the spirit is very good and we remain confident that we climb off the bottom of the ladder in the next few weeks.
Under 20s
David Davkovski & Matt Maiorano
It was 6 points lost not 3 this weekend against the top of the table team. We had our chances but just could not convert. Had we scored more I think a draw was fair as defensively we didn't hold up for the match - this is a part of our game that I'm frustrated with, and it's probably fair to say that we are where we are because we have a knack of switching off.
This component of the team is an issue yes, but with these guys our positives far out weigh the negatives and the effort again was unquestionable.... We were lucky enough to promote 5 players into the first team for our game against Box Hill so there were some real positives shown there.
As I said earlier our application was good. I have not really dwelled on the game too much in fact my focus went straight onto St Albans who beat Melb City on the weekend and trying to prepare for that.
Our squad is at its smallest now with a few injuries and departures in the first team so for the remaining games we should see an influx of 20's getting some time in the seniors as preparation for 2017. I'd like to mention that After our senior match we were treated to some lovely food so thank you girls (you know who you are)
Lastly I watched a few junior games on the weekend and there were some better results, well done to Glen Wilson who's taken over from Shaun Kane mid year!!! Well deserved. Tommys u/12's were knocking the ball around nicely also. Keep up the good work to all players, coaches, parents & volunteers.
Seniors
Nick Kalafatis & Serkan Aktas
GV Suns unable to secure win
Shepparton News - 2 August 2016
The Goulburn Valley Suns have once again let three points slip in the dying stages after they conceded late against Box Hill United on Sunday.
The Suns made a blistering start at Mercury Dve and within 10 minutes had taken the lead through prolific goal scorer Daniel Heffernan.
Winger Carl O’Keeffe made the break down the right flank before finding Mohammed Al-Gazaly with pin-point accuracy who then cut back in Heffernan, leaving the striker to slot home from 18 yards.
It was a tight opening 45 minutes as the sides traded blows through the midfield and scoring opportunities were kept to a minium.
The Suns took their 1-0 lead into the break, the same scoreline when the sides met in round eight, only for the Orangemen to capitulate in the second stanza and lose 4-1.
Coach Nick Kalafatis was not about to let that happen again and stressed to his men that they stay compact at the back in what proved a tough second half.
Neither side gave an inch and it looked as if the Suns would hold on at home before disaster struck in the 85th minute when United found the equaliser.
The Suns went in search of a winner in the closing stages but it would never come as they were made to settle for a draw in the round 23 National Premier League Two East contest.
Cody Sellwood was a late scratching with a tight hamstring, leaving the Suns skipper to watch from the sidelines.
‘‘The boys controlled the first half in a tough contest, but it never felt like we were in any real danger,’’ Sellwood said.
‘‘We came out strong in the second but it was the story of the season when a momentary lapse of concentration saw them score, I can’t even count on one hand how many times we’ve conceded in the dying minutes this season.
‘‘It’s disappointing not to get the win, but there were positives with a lot of our younger boys getting a good run and showing their worth for next year.’’
Kyle Harris impressed in his senior debut, while under-20 players Todd Wallace, James Lelliott, Abdullah Wahidi and Hussein Sumaili all had their moments.
Frenchman Anthony Gaillard was named man of the match.
