Atilla Ofli served up a derby day treat to inspire Altona Magic to a resounding 3-1 win over Altona East Phoenix in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 north-west at Paisley Park on Saturday.
Ofli pulled the trigger on a pair of goals – including a superb long-range, curling strike into the top right corner from a free kick – while playing an enormous role in the midfield to give the Magic the impetus to snap a two-game losing streak.
“His strength is creating and scoring goals,” Magic coach Stuart McCluskey told
Star Weekly. “He’ll give you that little bit of spark going forward.”
The Magic made a disastrous start, conceding the first goal shortly after kick-off, and McCluskey admitted he thought “here we go again” after watching his side cough up six goals in the previous 180 minutes.
But once Ofli went to work, Magic seized full control of the game.
With his nifty footwork and precision passing, Ofli brought forwards Michael Disani, Abu Konteh and Mat Luak into the game and they proved a handful for the Phoenix defence.
To their credit, Phoenix never rolled over, with effervescent captain Soner Kul, striker Tom Yabio and midfielder Paul Galea constantly asking questions of the Magic defence.
McCluskey would not downplay what it meant to his club to beat the arch enemy, nor the importance of the three points in the context of a season, which could still end up a relegation battle for both sides.
“It was a big game for me and the club, so I was delighted to get the points,” he said.
See www.maribyrnong.starweekly.com.au for our photo gallery from the match.
