By Lance Jenkinson
North Sunshine Eagles are daring to dream again.
They are back in the promotion conversation after upsetting top side Geelong 1-0 in Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 at Larissa Reserve on Saturday.
Eagles player-coach Ben Isai said the win had given his side something to play for in the final three rounds.
“It’s left the door open,” he said. “It’s obviously still going to be very hard and we’ll need a lot of things to happen for us.
“It was good just to keep it open and give the players plenty to play for in the next three rounds.”
North Sunshine is just four points behind ladder leader Geelong, which has 39 points.
Preston Lions, who have won their past six matches, are wedged in between in second spot with 38 points.
The Eagles believed they could sense nervousness in Geelong’s play for much of Saturday’s game.
That has given them hope of Geelong having further slip-ups in the run home.
“I felt that in the first half, with the wind, they defended a lot more than they should have,” Isai said. “They just had that fear of losing and that came to fruition in the second half.”
The Eagles had no choice but to go for broke, with a win the only outcome that would keep them in the promotion hunt.
That approach finally paid dividends in the 72nd minute when a bit of quick thinking from Isai helped create a penalty.
“I noticed that they weren’t really interested in defending the short corner,” Isai said.
“I quickly made the decision to pass to one of our players, Robbie [Zadworney], and he whipped in a direct pass, low and hard, and it struck one of their players on the arm.”
No shot from the penalty spot is a guarantee for North Sunshine – the Eagles have missed four penalties this season.
But with the Eagles’ season on the line, Daniel Dragovic delivered for his team.
“There was a lot of pressure on him and he did well, very calm,” Isai said.
A proud fact Isai took out of the game was that his side had become the best defensive team in the competition on the back of the win.
With only 13 goals against, the Eagles are the stingiest defence in the league.
Shane Rexhepi was a pillar defensively in the win over Geelong.
“He was producing challenges, intercepting passes and was really good today, as he’s been for us for the majority of the year,” Isai said.
Isai concedes that North Sunshine’s attack has yet to fire on all cylinders.
The Eagles again failed to capitalise on many an opportunity.
He did, however, praise the work rate and courage of forward Ajak Panek.
“He gets smashed with tackles so often, but he just gets up and keeps going,” Isai said. “He gave us a lot of energy.”
