Under 16s
Paul Nieuwenhuizen
What a difference a week can make! We met our opponents for the 2nd week running and our boys were on a high after the previous week's performance against Heidelberg. Unfortunately our preparation for the game was hampered by players being available and then pulling out, absenteeism, injuries and illness.
We started the game with a fill in goalkeeper in Hakan, after losing Lucas to injury before the game. Despite conceding 5 goals, Hakan gave it his best, with a number of goals scored by Heidelberg caused by sloppy play by us.
The game began with Heidelberg moving the ball quickly, which resulted in us losing our shape and compactness when defending. A couple of position changes soon corrected this situation. We soon found ourselves 1-0 down but credit to the boys they did not drop their heads but lifted their work rate to soon equalise through a well taken goal by Willie. This increased work rate saw the team create a number of chances but were unable to finish them and went into halftime level.
Despite the strong finish to the first half, the second half began with a number of our players giving the impression they did not want to be there and this reflected in their performance and unfortunately the team's also. The poor attitude saw us drop back into old habits and start kicking the ball long in hope rather than keeping possession and moving forward constructively. When we did hold possession we were able to put Heidelberg under pressure and create a few chances but these were far and few between. The kick and hope mentality saw us give 3 goals in the second half, with Heidelberg scoring another through some very good play. With Heidelberg hitting the woodwork a number of times and Hakan making some good saves we were lucky to not concede more goals.
The final score of 5-1 highlighted the teams inability to stay focused for the full game and maintain the right attitude. However, when we come up against teams with a full squad of 16 players of similar skill level and interchanging 4 players at a time, the ask soon takes its toll on our GV Suns squads.
A big thanks to the Glen & Shane for chasing under 15 players during the week so the under 16s could put a team on the park. A thanks to the 15s who kept their word and played - Fergus, Kaine, Callan, Bowdie and Hakan. Also thanks to Liam for dropping back from the under 18s. I would also like to thank Pat Kielty for collecting Hammed after all places on the bus were taken, influencing players to make themselves available after saying no; and performing the task of marshall along with Joe Crupi
The team has shown in patches over the last few games that they can match the metro teams. They just need to remember that it needs to be shown for 80 minutes.
Under 18s
Pat Kielty & Shaban Mehmet
We attended this game with a severely depleted squad of nine players in total which included two goal keepers, two players with the flu and one playing for the first time in three weeks and still injured. We had to rely on two of the under 16 squad who had just finished their game to make up the starting eleven and then use five other members of the 16’s to give us a bench.
Heidelberg are a top three team and with the squad we had it was never going to an easy day. The boys tried their best but we were under the cosh for the majority of the first half. If not for the goalkeeper and the back four the first half score would have been embarrassing. As it was we finished half time down three nil.
The second half was much the same and Heidelberg went up another goal but due to the relentless pressing of Alou and Kiwi we forced an error from their goalkeeper which Alou duly dispatched. Shortly afterwards fantastic pressure from Kiwi resulted in us being awarded a penalty which Kiwi scored. We were now down 4 - 2. At this stage we believed we could get another but then the earlier game took its toll on the 16’s. Elia came off sore and injured as did TC, Willie, Liam and Alou. Some went back on but through no fault of there own they were not able to perform to their usual standard and eventually we lost 6 - 2.
With a fit and full squad we would have matched them. All in all a very frustrating and depressing day. Thanks to Willie, TC, Kaine, Liam, Alou, Charlie, Elia for playing a second game. The whole team's workmate and intensity could not be faulted but they can only give so much.
Under 20s
David Davkovski & Matt Maiorano
Regardless of the score line it was a good to see our guys be creative in the final third. The game was played with high tempo in the first half and an awful decision really killed the game late in the first half, a decision that resulted in a penalty for Eastern Lions. Up until this point the game was played with good structure and energy. Our players were tight at the back and we could see our playing style evolve as the game went on.
Because we were down 1-0 at half time my instruction was to go for it. I asked the players before the match to do the same so we really didn’t want to put to many restrictions on them. They definitely went for it but similar to last week it left us quite open at the back. Our boys just wouldn’t give in though even once they scored a second they kept fighting which was something I have asked from the start of the season. Disappointed to cop the goals but well done to the boys that went up like Musafari… well deserved!
Time now for the guys to rest, it’s been a long season and were need some time off. Thank you to all the players, thank you to Matt and Cameron also for their support from Day 1.
A big thanks to Fred and Nick also, I think we have all worked quite well this year to achieve a common goal, results were up and down but development was a constant. I only looked at this year as being a development coach to be honest, we never really set up the team to simply destroy other teams or win at any cost. The outcome was simply to prepare
The boys for seniors and I think we have done fairly well. Good luck to all the players for 2017.
Seniors
Nick Kalafatis & Serkan Aktas
Suns’ draw not a true reflection
Shep News | 6 Sept 2016
Goulburn Valley Suns have split the points with Eastern Lions in the final National Premier League Victoria Two game of the season.
The Suns made a sluggish start in Melbourne and were lucky not to fall behind early as the Lions squandered several opportunities in front of goal.
The war
ning shots prompted a structural change from coach Nick Kalafatis, who handed a senior debut to teenage sensation David Musafiri at left back just before half time.
At the main break Kalafatis demanded his men stay tight in defence and when the Suns returned it didn’t take long for gun midfielder Shaun Kane to put the visitors ahead.
On 55 minutes Jordan Montagner back passed to keeper Monty Algazaly, who bombed it long and put Kane through one on one with the keeper before his classy chip found the back of the net.
The Suns looked in control but a sloppy tackle at the back saw the ref award a free kick and when Algazaly was setting up his wall the Lions went quickly and caught the Orangemen off guard, tapping in an equaliser.
Young guns Riley Hamilton and Tristan Zito came on in search of a winner and though both teams had their chances in the final 20 minutes, there would be no hero as the teams remained deadlocked until the final whistle.
Kalafatis said it had been a disappointing first half but felt his men did enough in the second stanza to claim all three points.
‘‘In the second half I thought we dominated, we deserved to win the game after we went ahead but it was a similar story to the whole season, letting in a cheap goal,’’ Kalafatis said.
‘‘If anything, after Shaun’s goal, we should have gone up by more, we pressed high and moved the ball well but the second goal just never came,’’ he said.
Kane was named man of the match ahead of Frenchman Anthony Gaillard, Matty Lelliott and man of the moment Musafiri.
‘‘He’s only 16 years old and was very good for us on Saturday.
‘‘He’s very quick and a talented kid who I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty more of,’’ Kalafatis said.
The Suns finished a belowpar eighth on the ladder but Kalafatis said the rebuild for next season has already begun.
‘‘This week we’ll relieve some players who are not in our plans for next season and we’re already talking to some potential signings so, in my eyes, next season has already begun,’’ he said.
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.
