By ROY WARD
WE want Oakleigh – that was the cry from the Dandenong Thunder change rooms following their disappointing major semi-final performance against Oakleigh Cannons in the Victorian Premier League at George Andrews Reserve on Friday night.
The Cannons opened the scoring deep into the first extra time with Ricky Diaco’s low cross deflected into the goal by Thunder midfielder Ross Thompson, with that goal looking a likely winner before Thunder star Nate Foster found himself some space on the right wing, turning inside towards goal and hitting a left-foot shot low into the far left corner with just minutes left in the match.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR PICTURE GALLERY OF THE BIG GAME.
Tied at 1-1, the game was decided on penalties with Thunder winger Liam Kearney missing his attempt as the Cannons made all five of their shots, completed by midfield star Lambros Honos, who tapped home the winner.
The win gave the Cannons direct entry into the grand final at AAMI Park on October 14. They will face the winner of the Thunder versus Northcote City or Green Gully in the preliminary final this Saturday at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex at 3pm.
Northcote City played Green Gully in the elimination semi-final yesterday, with the match finishing after the Weekly went to print.
Thunder coach Chris Taylor put the blame for the defeat squarely on his players’ finishing, with the Thunder unable to convert any of the numerous chances created in the opening 25 minutes of the match.
“We have no complaints at the end of the day because we had the chance to win the game and if you don’t put those chances away this is what happens to you,” he said.
Taylor said his side was desperate for a rematch against the Cannons. “We just want to play them again. We know we are a lot better than them,” Taylor said. “And hopefully we can get through this week and show them just how good we are.”
Cannons co-coach Peter Zois was asked to respond to Taylor’s comments. He answered in two words. “We won,” Zois said.
Taylor will have some selection dilemmas this week as creative midfielder Matt Theodore suffered multiple leg injuries midway through the first half after a questionable tackle from a Cannons player.
“It’s not good. A poor tackle got missed as it was a little behind the play,” Taylor said. “I’m not happy to miss a good player. I’m hoping he is OK but it doesn’t look good at moment. He has two to three problems which are being looked at.”
The Thunder will play either Northcote or Green Gully in the preliminary final at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Saturday at 3pm.
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