WESTVALE Olympic had a serious cutting edge in a 5-2 thrashing of cross-town rival Cairnlea in the opening round of the Football Federation Victoria Knockout Cup at McKechnie Reserve on Saturday.
The Vales exploded to life with a four-goal second half to complete a boilover result against a Reds outfit that is a whole division above them in the rankings.
Vales defender George Koutouleas told the Weekly it was an even team performance.
“It was a great performance from the whole team,” he said.
“There wasn’t anyone that really stood out. It was a convincing win.”
The heartbeat of the Vales was its central midfield pairing of Daniel Sfetkopoulos and Shavaan Khan.
Sfetkopoulos scored a double and Khan slammed home an 18-yard volley into the top corner.
The result should not come as a surprise.
The Vales’ pre-season form under second-year coach John Kanasoulis has been impressive.
They upset state league opponent Western Suburbs 2-1 on the road and have drawn with Yarraville Glory.
A one-goal loss to Victorian Premier League side Northcote City is nothing to be scoffed at either.
“The best part about it is the style of football we’re playing,” Koutouleas said.
“We’ve been playing entertaining football.”
The Vales have greater depth in their squad from years past.
They also have a sounder understanding of Kanasoulis’s tactics and expectations.
“The boys know what he’s all about,” Koutouleas said.
The Vales have been quiet on the transfer market, but are still “talking to another one or two more players”.
The capture of experienced striker and proven goalscorer Harry Timotheou has excited the fans.
“His work rate is phenomenal,” Koutouleas said.
“He does the same work that an 18-year-old would do.”
The FFV Knockout Cup continues this weekend with the state league season commencing a fortnight later on March 31.
Meanwhile, Western Suburbs came from a goal down to upset Heidelberg United 3-1 in the 2012 Hellenic Cup grand final at The Grange Reserve on Saturday night.
The Blues found themselves a goal in arrears after 15 minutes before turning the tide with three unanswered goals of their own through Jason Corbett, Simon Kelly and favourite son Billy Sianidis, who blasted away from 30 yards into the top corner.
Blues assistant coach Paul Agathouli said it was a “tough road” to the title and has served as the perfect lead-in to the start of the regular season.
“We set out to win it from the start,” he said.
“We had to beat two Victorian Premier League teams along the way.
“Winning games brings confidence and we can take that into the season.”
