The longer the state league 1 soccer season goes, the more North Sunshine is looking like a title contender.
Despite not even playing in the league last year, the Eagles have proved there is no substitute for hard work during a near flawless first half of the season.
North Sunshine president Besnik Kutleshi said the players had put in hard yards in the pre-season knowing they would need to go up a gear after being promoted from state league 2.
The work has more than paid off, with the Eagles on top of the table after 12 matches.
“You might say we have over-achieved,” Kutleshi said. “But in saying that, this is something we really fought for.
“The hard work has paid off and we’re reaping the rewards.”
North Sunshine leads the league for goals scored, putting 31 past its opponents. The Eagles are also focused on defence, with just 17 goals let through.
Kutleshi said a huge part of the credit had to go to coach Paul Donnelly, who had been building his playing system for three years.
“Paul’s work has been remarkable,” Kutleshi said. “He has redefined the way we go about it. He hasn’t just snapped his fingers and it’s all happened; it’s taken a tremendous amount of hard work.”
The Eagles’ only loss for the season came in the form of a 5-0 thrashing from Western Suburbs. Suburbs have carried on the momentum gained from that performance and appear to be among the main challengers to North Sunshine’s title assault.
Western is second on the table and Altona Magic third.
Kutleshi said the loss to Suburbs was a wake-up call his team needed.
“They got a little too complacent,” Kutleshi said. “As soon as they got a tough opponent, it really stung them.”
The Eagles’ match against Sunbury United last weekend was abandoned shortly after half-time because of a serious injury to one of the North Sunshine players. At the time, the scores were locked at 0-0.
As the injury happened with less than 50 minutes of the game having transpired, the match will be rescheduled.
