Dandenong City has prevailed in a highly tense affair, defeating a physical Moreland City team to win 2-1 at the Frank Holohan Soccer Complex.

 

The hosts' two goal lead was enough to get them the three points, despite a late consolation from Moreland City.

 

From the onset Moreland looked to be setting an aggressive dominance over the home team and set an intriguing battle of braun against Dandenong's high-percentage and high-possession play.

 

Moreland’s Orrie Kara set the standard, with strong leadership in defence that Dandenong was unable to penetrate early. 

 

It was only the seventh minute when Moreland’s Rob Bazzano laid a strong tackle resulting in a yellow card. It would be the first of six yellow cards in the game, as Moreland looked to be in control early. 

 

Moreland defender Yang Tou-Yeng, as well as Dandenong’s David Diicrio received further yellow cards before the first goal. 

 

Dandenong striker Dario Matkovic received a penalty as a result of the aggressive Moreland play and calmly slotted an easy goal against the tide of play in the 27th minute.

 

Moreland continued to have chances, most notably in the final seconds of the half, which saw Dandenong goalkeeper Damir Salcin juggling the ball before Moreland’s Casey Thomas bowled him over. 

 

Tensions of the game came to the forefront, as the two had a scuffle in the goal-square. It took the referee a few minutes to break it up and deal Salcin with a yellow card, just before the teams headed into the break. 

 

As the second half began, Moreland continued to have chances, but Dandenong’s efficiency and skill-level to maintain possession was beginning to wear down the aggressive play of the visitors. 

 

In the 61st minute, Dandenong’s Ashley Cattermole ended up on the end of a patient piece of play, and got a break through the middle. He scored after a sprint through the middle and took Dandenong to a 2-0 lead. 

 

On the other end of the field, Moreland’s Thomas was in a similar situation, but blazed away rather than taking advantage of their numbers around the ball. 

 

As the half progressed, Dandenong became more dominant, maintaining possession and choosing carefully when to push forward. 

 

Moreland’s Kam Simsek was in the right place at the right time in the 77th minute, as a momentary confusion in defence left him with an easy shot on goal which was converted. 

 

While Moreland had chances for an equaliser, the efficient Dandenong defence were able to hold on and take the team to an impressive win in front of a vocal home crowd.

 

MATCH DETAILS

 

Dandenong City 2 (Matkovic 27’, Cattermole 61’) defeated Moreland City 1 (Simsek 77’) at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex

 

Dandenong City: 1. Damir SALCIN, 2. Brad CLARKE (16. Simon STOREY 64’), 6. John CARROLL, 7. Keegan ZIADA, 8. Dario MATKOVIC, 9. Ashley CATTERMOLE (20. Goran JOZELJIC 69’), 10. Sean SEAVILL, 11. Andy JEREZ (Anthony MIJAC 90’), 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC, 15. David Diicrio, 18. Chris SANITA

 

Unused Sub(s): 17. Daniel BUHIC, 42. Anthony CASSET

 

Yellow Card(s): David Diicrio 20’, Damir Salcin 45’, Brad Clarke 55’, Goran Jozeljic 89’

 

Red Card(s): Nil

 

Moreland City: 1. Brandon GALZANO, 2. Yang TOU-YENG, 12. Shane CARR, 18. Orrie KARA, 21. Nej BAHIN, 20. Rob BAZZANO (23. Mo KURUCU 68’), 17. Liam BRIAN, 14. Casey THOMAS, 8. Corey THOMAS, 9. Galeth RICHARDS (11. Kam SIMSEK 75’), 7. Ossie KOSE (13. Vlad KHAMES 75’)

 

Unused Sub(s): 5. Ossie KARA, 16. Nathan BOURZELAS

 

Yellow Card(s): Rob Bazzano 7’, Yang Tou-Yeng 23’, Casey Thomas 89’

 

Red Card(s): Nil