Dandy dominates

By Stuart Teather
DANDENONG’S unbeaten start to the Victorian Premier League season continued on Saturday, with a win over reigning premier Altona.
The game was Dandenong’s first at home this season and the side made sure it did not disappoint its massive supporter base, claiming a 1-0 victory over the Magic.
The victory makes it three wins and a draw from the first four games of the season for the Thunder, but coach Stuart Munro talked down the side’s position.
“It’s very early on in the piece,” he said. “It’s a very good start from the players, a very positive start as they get used to the Premier League.
“A lot of our guys haven’t played Premier League before, so to get that confidence that they can match it with the other teams is good for them.”
The game was an even tussle early on, with both sides probing the goals, with the Thunder looking particularly dangerous on attacking runs from Hamlet Armenian.
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute through striker Veton Korcari, converted from inside the box after receiving a through-ball from Jack Hingert.
Hingert earned the coach’s praise after the game, with Munro highlighting him and team-mate Armenian as the side’s in-form pairing.
“Hamlet Armenian was the one that caught the eye, Hamlet and Jack Hingert on the right hand side with their positive runs.
“It’s becoming a good combination with these two young players on the right hand side, the speed that they’re playing with, they’ve got a really strong work ethic, they’re very fit lads and they’re causing the opposition a lot of problems.”
But the most impressive statistic from the first four games is that the team is yet to concede a goal, and Munro said there was a particular focus on defence this year.
“We’ve got a 4-4-1-1 system, we’re keeping it fairly conservative and tight.
“Our goalkeeper (Stuart Webster) has been superb for us and if you can keep a clean sheet that’s one of the most important things.”
Dandenong faces Hume City this Saturday in another home game, and Munro had a plea for the fans planning to come to the game.
“Unfortunately (against Altona) there was one instance of a flare after the goal … the club will get punished if it continues. Please sing and dance and chant and everything, but whether it’s good or bad, the club is the one that will suffer with fines and a loss of points if it (letting off flares) continues.”