Tara Murray
There’s a buzz around Altona City as it prepares for life in the Victorian Premier League 2 season.
After winning the state league 1 north-west title last season, Altona City will play in a VPL competition for the first time with the season kicking off this weekend.
Coach Michael Calandrella said the group was ready to get the season underway.
“We know it’s going to be tough stepping up,” he said. “It’s the first time the club has even been in this league.
“It’s good for the club and now the main priority is to remain in the league and consolidate our spot and make Altona City a permanent fixture in this league.”
Calandrella said there was a real buzz around the group and they were ready for the challenge ahead of them.
He said they had been able to keep a large number of the championship squad heading into this year, which gives them a good starting point.
“We retained all the boys we wanted to retain,” he said. “We’ve managed to get a few good additions and we’re looking steady and we think that we will be competitive.”
Altona City’s first foray into the higher league, hasn’t been smooth with work occurring at its home ground, meaning its been unavailable for the team to train on.
It means the side has spent most of the pre-season away from home and it will continue early in the season.
“It has been quite difficult,” Calandrella said. “We can not wait to be at home and get a bit more stability.
“Majority of the first half of the season we’re away and that presents a challenge. The second half we have a good run of home games and we’ll take that to our advantage.
“We really need to get some points along the way in the first half of the season.”
Altona City kicks off its season against Boroondara on Friday night.
Calandrella said it would be a good challenge for them.
“Judging by last year’s results, it will be a difficult task. We are definitely up for it and after a long pre-season the ways have been waiting for round one.”
Meanwhile, in the National Premier League competition, Altona Magic had a 3-2 loss to Dandenong Thunder.
The Magic led 2-1 at half time before two second half goals sealed the win for the Thunder.
The Magic sits in 13th position after four rounds, but has played one less game.
