Defence ruled the day when the teams with the best attacking and best defensive records squared off in a contrast of styles in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 4 west on Saturday.
Maribyrnong Greens, the table-topping side with the stingiest defence, and Melbourne City, the third-placed team with the most potent strike force, cancelled each other out in a nil-all draw at Edwards Reserve in Spotswood on Saturday.
Greens coach Damir Basic was delighted with his side’s ability to blunt the attacking capabilities of City and maintain a one-point lead at the top of the ladder as a result of picking up the point on the road.
“They’re third on the ladder but they’ve got the best attack in the competition and have scored something like 40 goals,” he told Star Weekly.
“They had more possession, they had control of the game in the middle of the ground, but they were always going to do that because we were playing on the counter attack.
“It was the best attack versus the best defence and the defence won on the day.”
The Greens defence remained unflustered throughout the 90 minutes.
Whenever Greens goalkeeper Semir Ekic was called upon to make a save, he rose to the challenge.
Ekic did not have to get his gloves too dirty with Ahmedin Suljic-Medo and Dean Basic in control in the heart of the defence.
“They didn’t have many chances,” Damir Basic said.
“It was a games of few chances.”
The Greens have stood firm at the top of the ladder for four straight weeks.
They are on track to reach their targets of a better finish than last season, which would mean eclipsing 33 points and finishing above fourth.
The title race, however, is a different story altogether.
“We are on the top but it’s going to be very hard work to stay there,” Basic said.
“In the last seven games, we’re playing five games away and only two games at home.
“It’s really tough and I would say we are not favourite to win it because it’s very hard to play away in this competition.”
The Greens face a tough away trip to Melton Phoenix on Saturday.
Elsewhere in state league 4, Altona North was outclassed 3-1 by title contenders Bell Park, while Laverton Park’s painful season continued with a 3-1 defeat to Brimbank Stallions.
In state league 1, Altona Magic closed to within a point of top spot after a 4-1 mauling of Corio at Paisley Park, led by a double from Abu Konteh, while Altona East Phoenix continued its rise up the ladder with a 3-1 win over North Sunshine Eagles.
In state league 2, Yarraville Glory rolled over Heidelberg Stars 4-2 after a hat-trick to Darcey Den Ouden, keeping them within touching distance of ladder leader Moreland United.
While in state league 3, Altona City claimed a 3-2 win over Geelong Rangers after a double to Bobby Lojanica, while Williamstown edged out Upfield 2-1 with goals to Alex Dimitrijevic and Rogerio Pitanga.
