A new season of the NPL Victoria brings new standout players, and that proved to be in the opening round of action. A staggering eight players out of our starting 11 moved clubs during the off-season, displaying the wonderful array of talent that has joined the competition. After a long time between drinks, here it is, the Round One NPL Victoria Team of the Week.
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GK: Nikola Roganovic (South Melbourne)
While he wasn’t kept busy consistently all night, the goalkeeper – who stepped in for the injured Peter Gavalas – stood firm when his side needed him most. A great second half showing of shot stopping kept his side in the contest, with a stunning diving save from Ross Honos merely playing warm up for the three blinding saves he made all in injury-time.
READ MORE > Not a day lost for South’s Roganovic
LCB: Steven Topalovic (Bentleigh Greens)
The man of the match at Kingston Heath as Bentleigh triumphed 2-0 over promoted outfit North Geelong Warriors. Not only was he a rock at the back, but he showed his outstanding technical ability by setting up countless attacks with his high press, ability to win the ball cleanly and distribute like a number six.
CB: Shaun Kelly (Port Melbourne Sharks)
The former South Melbourne defender put in a solid shift at the back for Port Melbourne as they wrapped up a back’s to the wall 3-1 win against Hume. Kelly’s experience came to the fore, commanding his defence with confidence, even when under immense pressure. He also showed strong ability with the ball at feet, and it was this calmness that went along way towards the three points.
RCB: Amadu Koroma (Green Gully)
The Green Gully right-back was a key player in his side’s commanding 4-1 win against Northcote City. He was strong in the tackle and made the flank his own, rarely losing out on a one-on-one. Popped up with a nice assist via a low cross to Matthew Breeze.
LM: Kamal Ibrahim (Port Melbourne Sharks)
A great start to 2015 for the former Melbourne Heart winger, Kamal Ibrahim was at his menacing best. An accomplished dribbler, Ibrahim scored a stunning solo effort to put his side into the lead before teeing up Rixon’s sealer in injury-time.
CM: Michael Gerace (Dandenong Thunder)
Along with Yousef Ahmed, the pair were best on for Dandy Thunder in their opening day win over Werribee. The former Box Hill man controlled the play for the visitors, was neat in possession and capped off his afternoon with a wonderful free-kick from 30-yards which decided the contest.
READ MORE > Gerace’s Football Odyssey
CM: Alex Dao (Melbourne Knights)
Was the Knights best player on the park, stepping up his output in the second half to help overrun Avondale. We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt for his assist for the first goal, as he ‘hit an inch perfect pass with the outside of the boot’ to sub Josh Brekalo, before scoring a tap in himself late to seal the contest. Would’ve been a little too quiet in the first half for his liking.
RM: Nikola Markovski (Green Gully)
The diminutive winger was a menace all night, getting in behind the defence, troubling the fullbacks with his speed and game sense. He also showed a real poachers instinct too. A neat finish on the counter for the first goal was matched by an opportunistic tap-in from a corner kick, profiting from a poor clearance from the Northcote defence.
STATS > NPL Victoria Top Scorers Charts
✮ AM: Daniel Vasilevski (Heidelberg United) ✮
Played an absolute blinder for Heidelberg as he stood out by scoring two absolute rockets from 30-yards plus. Admittedly, he did get some assistance from Stefan Saardelic for the first, but there were no complaints about the second as he rifled his shot across the face of goals, into the bottom corner.
ST: Matthew Thurtell (Bentleigh Greens)
His pedigree in the Queensland state league is undeniably good, having scored over 100 goals at more than a goal a game. He gave the Victorian audience a good taste of what he can do with an energetic display leading the lines for Bentleigh, which ended in a goal and an assist. The forward impressed with his movement and opened the scoring with a classy finish, before putting the ball on a plate for Jamie de Abreu’s sealer.
ST: Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United)
Without partner in crime Dan Heffernan, who was sidelined with an injury pre-game, the brunt of the work fell on the shoulders of Shep, and he delivered with a decisive game to help the Bergers to a 3-0 win. Sheppard scored a classic header, but also contributed in all facets on the attacking front. He put the ball on a plate for a chance to former Box Hill forward Kenny Athiu and played a neat little lay off for Andrew Cartanos late.
Bench:
Daniel Zilic (North Geelong Warriors)
While on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline, Warriors keeper Daniel Zilic put in a terrific display to keep his side in the contest in a tight opening half. Made countless saves as Bentleigh piled on a staggering 28 shots, and had little chance with both goals conceded.
Chris Irwin (Avondale FC)
Was the man of the match at Knights Stadium, even in a losing team. Playing just behind the likes of Khrapko and Le Page, Irwin was at the centre of everything good for Avondale. He scored a delightful goal, and was denied by the crossbar in a hectic first half, which could’ve seen Avondale storm ahead.
Nick Epifano (South Melbourne)
Despite his new haircut giving him the appearance of a Michael Eager from the stands, the South winger was almost like facing two players for the Oakleigh defence, given his bag of tricks and ability on the ball. Set up the deciding goal of the match from the left flank and was South’s biggest threat on the counter.
Ben Clarke (Oakleigh Cannons)
The livewire winger went a long way to paying off the faith Miron Bleiberg and Oakleigh had in the former Goulburn Valley talent, putting in a marvellous display in the Cannons’ 1-0 loss to South. He was a constant threat in and around the area, with a number of scything challenges in his direction the only way South were able to contain him. Thought he won a penalty but the ref eventually paid a free-kick on the edge of the area.
Matthew Breeze (Green Gully)
The super-sub has earned his spot on the bench for Round One’s Team of the Week, due to his stunning impact off the pine, grabbing a goal and an assist, while nearly completing his brace with a curling free-kick which rattled the post.
Trent Rixon (Port Melbourne Sharks)
Port Melbourne scored themselves a coup when they secured the signature of former Northcote forward Trent Rixon, and he started his Sharks career in magnificent form with a true poachers game. He was clinical with his chances and finished with two goals to win the contest for his side
With thanks to Brad Hutchings (@BradHutchings_), Brandon Galgano (@BGalgano94), Chris Hearn (@_ChrisHearn) and James Willoughby (@jwilloughby26) for their