Suns survive late scare to defeat All-Stars

By Daniel Webb

Mar 9, 2022

Goal scorer: Brandon Giaccherini scored the opening goal on Tuesday night. Photo by Megan Fisher

Goulburn Valley Suns have retained the Mimmo Lia Cup, defeating the Shepparton All-Stars in dramatic fashion on Tuesday night.

It was a thrilling contest at McEwen Reserve, with the Suns holding a one-nil lead for the majority of the game thanks to a Brandon Giaccherini goal.

That was until a late All-Stars goal to Ermal Marku drew the sides level, with the Suns eventually taking the win after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory.

Suns coach Craig Carley was pleased with his side’s performance and said it was a great game overall.

“I felt we controlled the majority of the possession and moved the ball really well and we stuck to the game plan, so I was really pleased with that,” Carley said.

“Obviously the All-Stars made it interesting by equalising in the 88th minute, but I thought it was a real good game.

“Mimmo has been a fantastic servant to soccer in the region and I feel like we put on a really good spectacle and game to recognise his contribution to the sport.”

Close contest: Players from both sides battle for the ball. Photo by Lynne Weir

All-Stars co-coach Nathan Sali said his side showed a big improvement on last year.

“We had an extra month or so to prepare, so the boys were a lot fitter this time around,” Sali said.

“It was a really good game, good for local soccer and good for the community and it was a good turnout from the spectators.”

Carley and Sali acknowledged the importance of the Suns in growing the local game, with 11 of the All-Stars line-up previously pulling on the orange shirt, and the clash showing the ‘‘soccer ecosystem’’ of the region working well.

Down to the wire: The result could have gone either way. Photo by Lynne Weir

With the NPL2 season kicking off next week, Carley said the Suns were tailoring down their pre-season and had pencilled in two final pre-season fixtures this weekend.

“We’re really looking to get minutes into everyone now,” Carley said.

“We’re really excited for the season to start now, it’s been a long pre-season, but we’ve worked really hard and I think we’re at a place now where we wanted to be, so hopefully we can kick on while competitive games start.”

The Suns’ final pre-season fixtures will take place on Saturday, with the seniors taking on the Sandown Lions at 2pm and the under-21s battling Shepparton United at 4pm, at McEwen Reserve, Shepparton.