By Lance Jenkinson
Could Daniel Kuczynski be the final piece in the puzzle for Altona Magic’s promotion push in National Premier League 2 west soccer?
Kuczynski, recruited from state league 1 club Geelong in the mid-season transfer window, has turned it on since earning a spot in the Magic’s starting line-up.
The overseas import with a Polish background, who came through the American college system, was at it again on Saturday night, clinching victory for the Magic with a goalscoring double in a 2-0 victory over Whittlesea Ranges at Paisley Park.
Kuczynski arrived at the Magic under an injury cloud and only played his first game as a starter four weeks ago.
In the past three matches, he has been lethal in attack, scoring six goals – including a hat-trick against Melbourne Victory.
Magic coach Goran Lozanovski believes the captures of Kuczynski, and Robert Stambolziev only weeks earlier, have given the Magic a more complete team.
“Stambolziev has been a good injection into the team and once ‘DK’ [Kuczynski] got up and running, he’s sort of complemented our team,” Lozanovski said.
Kuczynski is the talk of Altona.
How could he not be when he’s fired in seven goals in the past three games to further strengthen a Magic side that has won eight of its past nine games and sits eight points clear on top?
“He’s just getting better and better every week,” Lozanovski said.
“He came to us injured unfortunately, so we had to monitor him for a good two or three weeks before we let him off the bench to get some game time.
“He looked a little rusty in his first start, against Murray United, but after that Murray game, he hasn’t looked back.
“He’s scoring goals and creating havoc for defences. His passion is football and he’s doing it well, improving every week … if he keeps going the way he’s going, anything is possible.”
The win over Whittlesea was far from a thing of beauty.
The Ranges clogged up most avenues to goal for Altona in a negative-minded performance that was designed to keep the Magic’s scoring threat to a minimum.
It didn’t work, with the Magic getting plenty of shots on goal before Kuczynski unlocked the door to victory.
Troy Ruthven and James McGarry were the driving forces in the midfield that broke down the Whittlesea resistance.
“It was probably a frustrating night because Whittlesea Ranges didn’t really come out to play,” Lozanovski said. “They were very negative in what they were trying to do … we’ve had a few games like that in the last six or seven weeks.
“It’s a frustrating thing to see, but I understand some coaches and clubs are desperate for points to make sure they stay out of relegation. But I think Whittlesea were quite safe from relegation and to come out and play negative football was pretty disappointing. Having said that, they did make it difficult for us, but I always knew if we got a goal that we’d get on top and probably score a few more … I think their keeper was probably best on ground and probably saved six or seven shots.”
Altona will face second-placed east conference side Moreland City in a blockbuster on the road at Campbell Reserve on Saturday.
