Heidelberg United return to Olympic Park on Sunday afternoon to face Dandenong Thunder in Round 2 of NPL Victoria men’s.
The Warrior’s upcoming opponents are looking to record back-to-back wins, following their success last time out defeating Eastern Lions in the opening round, lead by a brace from captain Ali Sulemani.
The Dandenong outfit have added a new coach in ex-Norwich City prospect David Chick to the dugout, with an impressive background including the most notable in captaining England at schoolboy level, alongside the likes of the nation’s greatest-ever marksman Wayne Rooney at the age of 15. Chick has also had spells at Hume City and Pascoe Vale in the past.
The club has bolstered their squad with an array of youth and experience for this season. Acquisitions for the club include the signing of French attacking midfielder Florent Indalecio. Coming via Saint-Etienne and trialling with EPL club Newcastle United, Florent has had a whirlwind couple of years. He’ll prove to be one of the players to watch this Sunday afternoon.
The Thunder have also signed former WA NPL leading goal scorer Cameroon Teece, as well as the loan signing of goalkeeper Noah James from A-league club Newcastle Jets.
Heidelberg United will not only need to be at their defensive best but also going forward to get past the back four of this newly-looking Dandenong side with the further addition of Lachie Bryd, a highly talented central defender who had won last season’s young player of the year and selected for the 2021 NPL All-Star Eleven.
The ‘Bergers will look to record a big win after falling short in the traditional derby against South Melbourne. Heidelberg will look to put that past them to get their season rolling in front of the well-supported fans.
The head-to-head results between these two clubs in 2021 was Heidelberg defeating the Thunder 2-1 at George Andrews Reserve, with the latter coming out on top in the reverse fixture at Park 1-0.
It’s a double header on Sunday at Olympic Park, as the Heidelberg and Thunder U21 sides kick-off at 1:00pm.
The senior men will follow at 3:00pm, with the match being broadcast live on our official Facebook page.
