ALTONA Magic have continued their winning run, this time defeating Oakleigh Cannons in the FFV Statewide Knockout Cup.
The Magic, who are in division one, defeated the premier division side 2-1 on Monday.
Magic team manager Rubin Todorovski said the club was happy with the win against the higher division side.
Neither team played a full-strength side, he said.
“We let the Cannons play their style of game, which was letting them have a lot of possession.
“We were content to wait until we got the ball and on some occasions we looked threatening.
“We managed to score both goals from free kicks.
“All in all we deserved to win.”
He said that after the Magic led 1-0 at half-time, coach John Markovski had told his players to take their chances when the ball came to them in the second half.
“The coach said to keep going the way we had been … they still had the majority of the ball and we managed to get them on the counter-attack and score a second goal.
“After that it was pretty much back and forth.
“They scored a lucky chance late. We were unlikely not to score a third, with the ball hitting the post.”
Rini Muriqi scored both goals.
Todorovski said the team was pleased with the debut of 16-year-old Jason Veljanovski. “He has been playing reserves and we gave him a chance in this game.
“He shocked everyone and pretty much left everyone gobsmacked with his performance.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he was used more during the rest of the season.”
He said the club was pleased with how its form had turned around in recent weeks.
“If you look at form it’s our fourth straight win. We are on the comeback trail and if we keep playing the way we are we can beat anyone.”
This week the Magic is away to Whittlesea Rangers.
“They are third on the ladder. We aren’t afraid of anyone and we can beat anyone on any given day.”
