Coach says Doves are best in league

By Paul Pickering
A WIN over the second-placed Eastern Lions has prompted Doveton coach Sam Elmazi to hail his side as the best in the Football Federation Victoria State League Division 3 South-East.
The Doves, who are seemingly out of contention for promotion after a costly mid-season slump, accounted for the Lions 2-1 at home on Saturday.
Doveton is five points out of the top two with just two rounds left but Elmazi has been so impressed by his side over the past three weeks that he believes the Doves would beat some of the teams in Division One.
“The Doveton squad is the best squad in the league,” he said after the match.
“We’ll probably go undefeated in the next two weeks and hopefully fall into second spot.”
Elmazi’s renewed confidence in his team is typified by his faith in striker Leon Buhic, who has bounced back from copping his coach’s wrath after an incipid performance against Fitzroy City earlier this month.
Buhic netted the Doves’ first at the 15-minute mark on Saturday, turning his defender inside out to smash home the opener from the penalty spot.
Five minutes later, Brian Murphy came from the opposite wing to drive home the Doves’ second. Only a last-minute goal from Martin O’Hare could salvage some respect for the Lions.
Even an impending clash with the ladder-leading Frankston Strikers could not sway Elmazi’s confidence.
“I don’t see Frankston beating us,” he stated bluntly.
While the Doves’ late-season charge is destined to be in vain, Elmazi says the future is bright at Waratah Reserve.
“There is only good signs for the club, with a couple of extra players next year we should skate through (towards promotion),” he said.