Thunder to a draw

By Gavin Staindl
IN A rematch of last year’s grand final, Dandenong Thunder has drawn 1-1 with Altona Magic at Paisley Park Soccer Complex.
The highly anticipated match was not only Dandenong’s chance to get even with the team that beat them in last year’s grand final but also to kick-start a season that has fizzled.
Thunder coach Stuart Munro promoted debutant Andy Bourakis, Enes Sivic and Veton Korcari for the match as a reaction to the 1-4 start to the season.
Scoring his first goal for the club was Noel Bahnsen who headed in a well-placed Scott Bulloch corner at the 12th minute mark.
Both teams went on the attack for the next half an hour, with Thunder’s Shane Rexhepi giving up a penalty late in the half that allowed Pece Siveski to score the equaliser from the spot.
“It was a very, very soft decision but that’s probably indicative of the position we’re in at the moment,” said Munro.
The second half consisted of a string of agonising Thunder chances that could not be capitalised on.
Korcari had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only to have his shot hit the post.
Eight minutes later he fired one over the bar that again left Munro wondering when these half chances were going to start resulting in goals.
“We are getting heaps of chances but if we don’t take them we are not going to win games,” said Munro.
Munro was saved the embarrassment of a fifth straight defeat when a Tony Saric shot slipped in behind Thunder goalkeeper Stuart Webster and trickled along the goal line in the last few mintues. Only a brain fade by new recruit Million Butshiire saved the day for Thunder when he tapped the ball into the net from an offside position.
“I am disappointed we didn’t get the win but in the end I think that the draw was a fair result.”
“I’m hoping the draw will break the momentum and break the monotony of losses. If we can get our self-belief and confidence back I still expect a strong second half of the year,” said Munro.