ALTONA Magic has re-entered the promotion chase in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1.
The in-form Magic has picked up 10 of a possible 12 points over the past four rounds.
They moved to fifth on the ladder on Sunday with a gritty 2-1 win over FC Bulleen Lions at Paisley Park.
“We turned the corner after we beat St Albans four weeks ago,” Magic football operations manager Rubin Todorovski said.
“We had a pretty thin squad there, but the boys pulled through and that turned our season around.
“We’re struggling with players, [but] we’re still getting the results.”
The Magic’s victory over the Lions came courtesy of a frantic opening 15 minutes when all three goals were scored.
Melvin Becket got the go-ahead goal for the Magic after just four minutes.
He slammed a header into the Lions’ goalkeeper but kept his feet to tuck home the rebound.
The Magic led by two 13 minutes in, when Japanese import Takanori Ishimoto delivered a cross to the far post for Oleksiy Khrapko to drive into the back of the net.
The Lions pegged a goal back two minutes later, but that would round out the scoring for the game.
“Bulleen had a few big name players in their team,” Todorovski said.
“They had some quality players who could’ve punished us, but our boys just held their nerve and got the result.”
Veteran Pece Siveski was best on ground for his influence in the Magic midfield.
It’s not only Siveski’s use of the ball that has endeared him to his teammates since returning from the club from a stint with Sunshine George Cross.
“His experience is so important to the team,” Todorovski said.
“Being the oldest player … he’s always talking to the young players and telling them if they’re doing something wrong, so the boys are learning from him through training and during the game.”
The Magic were sound defensively with Steven Cudrig and David Straniero impenetrable down the centre, while captain Aleksandar Koltovski and Denis Ukalovski secured the wings.
Ukalovski, a Muslim who is observing Ramadan for 30 days, was praised for his mental toughness.
The right-back is in a period of fasting from dawn till sunset and still managed to have a significant impact in the victory.
“It was hard for him, he couldn’t have any water, he couldn’t have anything, but he still put in a good shift for us playing at right-back,” Todorovski said.
“The coaching staff congratulated him on his efforts considering what he has been going through.”
The Magic will play Fawkner Blues at the Club Italia Sporting Club in North Sunshine on Sunday.
