By Jordan Lim (@jordanlim24)

Both ‘keepers were in sparkling form as Dandenong City and Box Hill United played out an entertaining 0-0 draw at Frank Holohan Reserve. 

With the momentum see-sawing both ways throughout the contest, the game always looked likely to produce goals but Box Hill United’s Alexander Pavlidis and Dandenong City’s Marko Stevanja both stepped up when called upon. 

Box Hill’s returning winger Amgad Marieh had the first real chance of the evening, but he saw his low struck effort smothered by Stevanja in the eighth minute.

The City custodian’s work wasn’t done there as he remarkably kept out Alex Schroen from point-blank range to make it two saves in as many minutes.

Defender Steven Topalovic then went on one of his trademark runs from defence, using his frame to hold off all on-coming players before forcing Alex Pavlidis into a decent diving save.

The centre-back again pushed forward, this time opting to lay on a pass for Goran Juzeljic – who’s night was cut short with a suspected broken nose – only thwarted by the steely palms of the opposition ‘keeper.

Despite the weight of chances for both sides, the closest the first half came to an opener was through City defender Joseph Sieh, who had an afternoon to forget.

Under no pressure and with Stevanja coming to collect a loose ball in the box, Sieh passed the ball beyond his ‘keeper and towards goal. 

Captain John Carroll spared the left-back’s blushes as he cleared off the line towards safety.

Winger Keegan Ziada worked his way into the contest as the game wore on with a strong second half contribution setting the benchmark for his teammates. 

It was his drive on the left side of the box that set up the first chance of the second term, but his strike was put behind by United’s shot stopper.

The next chance was possibly the best of the game as Kenjok Athiu tapped past Stevanja, only to see his cutback inexplicably headed over by substitute Chris Irwin. 

He was almost made to rue the miss as Ziada’s fizzing ball from the right went agonisingly close to the far post.

With the game approaching its conclusion, the unease from both sides grew and it seemed that the match was going to finally give way one way or the other.

Stevanja clearly had a different idea as he made yet another world class save to deny Schroen.

The goalkeeper almost telepathically dived to his right to stop Schroen’s shot from six yards.

He was proving himself City’s hero as he dived at the feet of the Box Hill forward to scupper yet another attack moments later.

Not to be outdone, Pavlidis made a sharp double save to keep the game at a deadlock with 15 minutes left in the contest.

Remarkable the game ended without either side troubling the scorers, with Box Hill’s Michael Gerace wasting the afternoon’s final chance, scuffing his lines in the dying moments of the clash.

Ivan Duzel was full of praise for the 19-year-old ‘keeper after his man-of-the-match performance between the sticks. 

“He’s a quality goalkeeper and look at what he saved today,” Duzel said.

“Every game he always makes one or two sensational saves and obviously we all praise him.

“I believe the chance we’ve given him to get better [by playing in] the senior XI. He was very good and I hope it’s going to continue.” 

Box Hill United weren’t available for comment.

MATCH DETAILS: 

Dandenong City 0 drew with Box Hill United 0 at Fran Holohan Soccer Complex. [HT 0:0]

Dandenong City: 1. Marko STEVANJA (GK), 6. John CARROLL, 10. Sean SEAVILL, 8. Steven TOPALOVIC (15. Graham HILL 57’), 11. Joseph SIEH, 19. Nicholas GLAVAN, 23. Goran JOZELJIC (14. Karim El Hilali 26’), 9. Damien MISKULIN, 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC (21. Danijel BUHIC 83’), 7. Keegan ZIADA, 5. Alex ROJAS

Unused Sub(s): 31. Dennys MARTIN

Yellow Card(s): Ziada 45’

Box Hill United: 35. Alexander PAVLIDIS (GK), 23. Josh VALADON, 26. Aaron PORCARO, 22. Nick KOKOLAKIS, 14. Kenjok ATHIU, 12. Adrian DEL MONACO, 29. George HOWARD (4. Chris Irwin 50’), 2. Nikola SURDOSKI, 8. Amgad MARIEH (9. Michael Gerace 64’), 7. Damien PETERS, 5. Alex SCHROEN (10. Rinor Muriqi 70’)

Unused Sub(s): 1. Alexander Connell, 16. Christian LAR

Yellow Card(s): Schroen 34’, Peters 76’

Image credit: John Punshon/Goal! Weekly