Thunder thrives in conditions to hand Werribee defeat
By Brad Hutchings (@BradHutchings_)
Dandenong Thunder has started their PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria campaign by defeating Werribee City 2-1 at Galvin Park on Sunday.
Goals to Yusef Ahmed and Michael Gerace either half of the break sealed Thunder’s well-deserved three points on opening day.
Werribee’s new target man Josh Jokic bagged a home goal on debut to equal the scores for his new side midway through the second half, but it proved to be the only highlight in a disappointing day for the Bees.
It was a match that started in intense heat and sensationally ended in torrential rain as a heavy downpour and thunderstorms hampered the second half.
Dandenong started the first half brighter and had the first chance to open the scoring in the 11th minute, when Veton Korcari’s close-range header forced a smart reflex save out of Werribee keeper Frano Saric.
That chance spurred Dandenong into action, with Yousef Ahmed finishing of a swift counter move to open the scoring just five minutes later.
The goal woke Werribee up, with the home side enjoying the better of the play after going down.
Jokic introduced himself to his new fans in the best possible style as he levelled the game up at 1-1 in the 31st minute.
After the crowd had just finished laying on the sunscreen, they were forced to run for cover at half time as the heavens opened with rain that persisted throughout the second half.
Dandenong appeared to have dealt with the changing conditions better, as they controlled the second half.
A Michael Gerace free kick in the 52nd minute found its way from 30 yards out untouched into the back of the net proved the winner on the day.
Bobby Vidanovski had a glorious chance in stoppage time to steal a point for Werribee but managed to make a mess of his shot right in front of goal.
The day soured for Dandenong in the last minute of the day as Feston Azizi copped a heavy challenge which resulted in what appears to be a serious knee injury.
MATCH DETAILS
Werribee City 1 (Josh Jokic 31’) defeated by Dandenong Thunder 2 ( Yousef Ahmed 16’, Michael Gerace 52’) at Galvin Park. [HT: 1-1]
Werribee City: 1. Frano Saric (GK), 2. Micheal Sims (23. Steve Cudrig 26’), 3. Ryan Filipovic, 4. Simon Colosimo, 5. Aturo Ymeri, 8. Daniel Chaabani, 11. Bobby Vidanovski, 13. Milan Savic (6. Anthony Ragusa 67’), 14. Julien Cassano, 19. Rob Naumoski, 22. Josh Jokic (9. Evan Batsis 79’)
Unused Subs: 18. Gazmund Ajdini, 25. Nobi Tuna
Yellow Cards: Sims 18’, Savic 58’, Naumoski 75’, Ymeri 90+5
Dandenong Thunder: 1. Zaim Zeneli (GK), 2. Jarryd Barnes, 3. Ramazan Tavsancioglu, 4. Adam Petko, 16. Gideon Sweet, 12. Brendan Elmazovski, 8. Lewis Foster, 23. Micheal Gerace (10. Feston Azizi 79’), 9. Vetan Korcari, 7. Yusef Ahmed (Dillon Jakupi 84’), 11. Ayodeji Omoboyne (5. Faisal Sakhizada 77’)
Unused Subs: 20. Sermin Sadikovski, 18. Arial Ritz
Yellow cards: Tavsancioglu 48’, Korcari 90+1
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