Dandenong Thunder struck a penalty blow

By Gavin Staindl
THE Dandenong Thunder president has claimed the penalty that cost his team a win over the Oakleigh Cannons is on par with the penalty that gifted Italy a win over Australia in the 2006 World Cup.
Driton Maliku was furious after the Cannons were awarded a penalty midway through the second-half that broke the 1-1 deadlock and gave the home side a runaway 3-1 victory at Jack Edwards Reserve.
According to Maliku, the penalty against Thunder defender Enes Sivic on Cannons’ veteran Michael Curcija should have been a free kick to the visitors.
“I was right behind the goal and their striker (Jerry Karpeh) pushed our defender (Sivic) with his shoulder into their player (Curcija),” Maliku said.
“The umpire was about 15-20 metres behind the play and said after the game he did not see Karpeh’s push.
“To be honest, it was a cheap penalty,” Maliku said.
The penalty in the 68th minute was the turning point for the game after both teams were locked a 1-1.
The Thunder, as they have done throughout the first three games this season, took control of the match early and scored in the 10th minute via a perfect cross from Joey Di Iorio to Ibraim Ibraimi who forcibly struck the back of the net.
The Thunder had another chance to score moments after when Hamlet Armenian pounced on a goalkeeper throwing error but missed the upright by inches.
“This was the biggest mistake of the game and there was a drop in confidence after that,” Maliku said.
For the remainder of the half Oakleigh took control and scored in the 30th minute from a Karpeh rocket that was punched through the Thunder defensive from the top of the box.
The tight 1-1 match was broken in the 68th minute from the penalty and Oakleigh substitute Ricky Diaco scored in the final few minutes to secure the 3-1 win.
The Thunder now falls to three losses and only one win from the opening four weeks but Maliku is far from worried.
“We have signed Scott Bullock, a starting left-winger from Perth Glory last week and that is a huge signing for the club.
“(His presence) is huge. He will be a huge improvement to the side (on-field) as well as psychologically,” Maliku said.
Bullock will have his first hit-out in the red and black when he takes on South Melbourne next week.
“I can’t see how we can’t win this game.
“We’ll still make the top five. We’ll still be in the finals at the end of the year,” Maliku said.