Tara Murray
The hard work is just beginning for Keilor Wolves in Football Victoria state league 5 west.
Undefeated in their first eight games, including seven wins and a draw, the Wolves sit atop the ladder and have opened up a gap on the rest of the competition.
Wolves coach Sofiane Soufi said the club had set its sights during the pre-season on claiming the division and earning promotion.
“We’ve been in state league five for a few years now,” he said.
“It’s time to bounce back and show the true colours of the club. So far, so good, but it’s only early in the season.
“I couldn’t be happier.
“We need to remain focused.”
Soufi, who also coaches the club’s under-7s, said they had changes to the playing group this season, which had helped with their form.
He said he aimed to bring a more professional level to the side.
The club was also in a good position off field, with a new committee intent on getting them back up the ranks.
The Wolves have been doing the business at both ends of the field, with the most lethal attack and the stingiest defence.
They have scored 25 goals, four more than the team with the second highest number of goals, and conceded just five goals.
Soufi said they knew they had the strongest attack, but the defensive element had surprised them.
“We have some good technical players,” he said.
“Most teams in this division play the long ball. We like to have position and control the ball for 70 to 80 per cent of the game.”
Soufi said the team knows the second half of the season will be just as tough.
He said they wanted to be seven or eight points clear on top of the ladder at the halfway mark.
“We have to be careful, as there’s clubs right behind us who keep getting wins.
”We won’t surprise any more, as we will have played every team once. Every team wants to beat us as we are the top team.”
The Wolves claimed another victory on Saturday, beating Lara United 1-0.
