By Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10)

Moreland Zebras have recorded their second successive win with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Dandenong City at the State Football Centre on Sunday.

Moreland’s second half proved to be the clincher, as goals from Nick Symeoy and James Papadimitriou sealed the three points for the home side.

The match was originally scheduled for Moreland's home ground De Chene Reserve, but the venue was deemed unplayable.

Dandenong striker Goran Jozeljic was the main source of worry for the Moreland backline in the early stages, but couldn’t convert several looping chipped shots in the opening half hour.

But when Moreland custodian Alex Stojanovski was off his line in the 23rd minute, Jozeljic expertly chipped from inside the box to open the scoring for the away side.

Moments before Jozeljic’s chipped goal, James Charalambous found Joel Nikolic with a lovely through ball, but the Moreland attacker fluffed his lines and shot directly at young Dandenong City goalkeeper Marko Stevanja. 

The final chance of the first half fell the way of the home side. A set-piece in the 45th minute was headed wide of the target by defender Adam Centofanti.

The momentum swung Moreland’s way at the beginning of the second period, and a raft of chances began to fall. Evan Batsis turned architect for the equaliser, finding Nick Symeoy to put Moreland back into the contest.

Despite its attacking impetus in the second half, Dandenong continued to find it difficult to get a stranglehold on the game, with its attacks broken down by Moreland’s strong defence led by Johnny Crivelli.

Papadimitriou drew inspiration from Jozeljic’s first-half exploits, catching Stevanja in no man’s land and delightfully lobbing the ‘keeper to put Moreland in the lead.

The goal sealed Moreland’s second win in a row and its third in its past four outings, while Dandenong City was dealt another blow when winger Damien Miskulin was shown a second yellow card in the 83rd minute and subsequently sent off.

Coach Danny Gnjidic said his Zebras deserved the win.

“I think it was probably a fair result, we were the better team even through that first half,” Gnjidic said.

“[Moreland] played some of the better [football] we’ve played this year.

“Rapt for the players that they’ve finally got some reward for their effort.”

Dandenong City has conceded in all its games this season, and coach Ivan Duzel says a lack of concentration and application hurt his side against Moreland.

“[Dandenong] played the first 45 minutes well and deserved the 1-0 lead,” Duzel said.

“In the second half we talked in the dressing room about holding Moreland in the first 10 minutes, but unfortunately we copped a goal in the first minute.

“We have to look for another way to play, to stop conceding and continue to work.”

MATCH DETAILS

Moreland Zebras 2 (Nick SYMEOY 48’, James PAPADIMITRIOU 64’) defeated Dandenong City 1 (Goran JOZELJIC 23’) at State Football Centre [HT: 0-1]

Moreland Zebras: 1. Alex STOJANOVSKI, 7. Scott ROBSON, 16. Mile MEDJEDOVIC, 18. Adam CENTOFANTI, 3. Johnny CRIVELLI, 5. Nick SYMEOY, 15. Evan BATSIS (12. Josh MCMONAGLE-IHASZ, 67’), 14. James PAPADIMITRIOU (13. Mario PIRIANO, 77’), 9. Joel NIKOLIC, 11. Danny CHARALAMBOUS (10. Danillo BONILLO, 87’)

Unused Sub(s): 21. Francesco GRECO, 4. Liam BRIAN

Yellow Card(s): 11. Danny CHARALAMBOUS 76’

Red Card(s): Nil

Dandenong City: 1. Marko STEVANJA, 6. John CARROLL, 10. Sean SEAVILL, 22. Andres JEREZ, 5. Alex ROJAS (11. Raymond LAX, 83’), 8. Dario MATKOVIC (21. Danijel BUHIC, 75’), 19. Nicholas GLAVAN (12. Shaun FILIPOVIC, 79’), 4. Steven TOPALOVIC, 23. Goran JOZELJIC, 9. Damien MISKULIN, 7. Keegan ZIADA

Unused sub(s): 31. Dennys MARTIN (GK), 15. Ivica BAHA

Yellow card(s): 9. Damien MISKULIN 63’, 83’

Red card(s): 9. Damien MISKULIN 83’