Tara Murray
Uni Hill Eagles might have the FV state league 4 north championship already wrapped up, but the job isn’t done.
A 3-0 win against Bundoora United on Saturday and another result going their way, means the Eagles have an unassailable lead at the top of the table with five rounds remaining.
Eagles president Firass Ibrahim said they were a bit stunned to have been able to achieve their goal with so many rounds remaining.
“We can’t believe it,” he said. “The season we’ve had so far is incredible and to claim the title with five rounds remaining is amazing.
“While the job is done, it isn’t done. We still want to go through the season undefeated.”
On Saturday, the Eagles needed to beat Bundoora United and hope that Northern Falcons either drew or beat Watsonia.
Ibrahim said you couldn’t have scripted the setting much better. In 2019, the Eagles beat Bundoora United in the final game of the season to earn promotion, after United had been earlier stripped of some of its points.
Fast forward to 2022, which is set to be the first full season since then, the Eagles were back at Bundoora with another championship on their mind.
“We were 1-0 at half time,” Ibrahim said. “The second half was amazing. They didn’t give us any trouble.
“We had people at the Northern Falcons game. It was like you see on the tv, with everyone looking at their phones for scores.
“They [the Falcons] were up 1-0 and then it was 1-1. When we saw it was 3-1, we put our foot down and made our lead 2-0 and then 3-0.”
The Eagles ended up winning 3-0. There were plenty of celebrations at the ground, before they headed back to Findon Reserve to continue the party.
Ibrahim said the group won’t train Tuesday night, but will get together to regroup and focus on the rest of the season.
“We want to go through undefeated,” he said. “We don’t want to get involved with any silly stuff.
“We don’t want to put anything in jeopardy. The coaches, players and leaders are smart enough.”
With a promotion to state league 3 north-west as well, the Eagles are keen to continue their success.
While the men’s side has already claimed the title, their women’s side are still in a battle for the state league 4 north title.
The Eagles’ women sit second on the ladder, but have played one less game than leaders Fawkner.
The Eagles have a much better goal difference as well. The Eagles had a bye on the weekend.
“If they can win the title and win promotion into state league 3 as well, it will be a dream come true,” Ibrahim said.
In other state league 4 north men’s matches, Plenty Valley Lions had a 4-4 draw with West Preston, while La Trobe University lost to Melbourne University.
In state league 1 north-west, Whittlesea United beat Clifton Hill, 2-1.
Meanwhile in division 2, Mill Park upset Upfield. Mill Park got a 1-0 win, giving Upfield its first loss of the season.
Epping City lost 3-1 to Geelong Rangers.
