Bentleigh Greens journeyed out to Olympic Village in search of 3 points crucial points to help them out of the relegation zone.
Whilst the Bergers had Sven Samild’s words of warning ringing in their ears that this would be a fierce battle. With Heidelberg’s former and much loved Assistant Coach Dario Simunic in charge now at the Greens and Sam Curwood – Wagner recently transferring at the window to the Greens from Heidelberg had plenty of intel on the ladder leaders.
Mia Bailey was forced into some early saves in the opening minutes, the reigning Champions found their groove via their star striker Sawa Matsuda who netted her 15th Goal of this campaign and it extends her lead at the top of the Football Victoria’s NPLW’s Golden Boot.
Asuka Miyata who again had an A – League Coach in attendance watching her scored the Bergers second from a brilliant turn in true Miyata style to score from inside the 18 yard box eluding the diving Nat Picak in goal.
2 – 0 at the Half Time break and the Match looked safely in hand for the Bergers.
Coach Dennis Georgakoplous brought out his Surfer analogy much to the delight of the players who played in last years Grand Final, so he sensed it was still game on!
The Greens with 7 recent inclusions at the window including the dynamic Tanika Lala brought the heat and dominated the second half and were rewarded with a goal, 2 – 1 and it was all to play for..
Tamar Levin and Sarah O’Donoghue in a moment of magic combined to unlock the Greens defence to allow O’Donoghue to calmly slot home the match sealer.
A 3 – 1 win to the ladder leads who now sit 6 points clear on Top and can now focus on their Nike Cup Quarterfinal vs. Manningham Blues on Tuesday night at Olympic Village with a 7.30pm Kick Off.
