By Tara Murray
Whittlesea Ranges are on a roll in the National Premier League 2 west competition.
After taking 11 rounds to get a win, the Ranges have won six games since, including winning five or their last six games.
Ranges coach George Karkaletsis said he was always confident of the squad being able to put it together.
He said they were starting to see that on the park. “We’re getting a bit of consistency now, which is what we were after,” he said.
“We always knew the team was good enough, it was about instilling the belief. They have that now.
“We’ve won five of the last six games and with Brunswick losing yesterday we’ve closed the gap.
“I think we’re a genuine chance of finishing in the top six.”
Karkaletsis said while they were getting some good individual moments in the last few weeks, it was the overall performance of the side that had been the key.
He said they had put it on the group to ensure everyone was pulling their weight.
“We asked everyone on the park to contribute and if you have all 11 players trying to impact the team, you’ll have someone who will pop up.
“Jose Ramires, our captain, scored two goals this week. Last week it was someone else and hopefully next week, it will be someone else standing up.”
On Saturday, the Ranges beat Springvale White Eagles 2-0.
Karkaletsis said they had changed their game plan this week for the Eagles.
“We allowed them to have a lot of possession in the first half, we thought it was the best way to counter their system.
“We were organised defensively. It didn’t have to be a 6-0 win, as long as it was 1-0 it was enough.
“We were patient and waited for them to make mistakes.”
With the Ranges strong defensively and terrible weather conditions, the Eagles struggled and made mistakes.
Karkaletsis said at times the rain was going sideways. He said his side handled the conditions the better.
“Our players played some good football. Our first touch was good and we didn’t have many chances but we took them.”
The win moves the Whittlesea Ranges up to eighth, now ahead of Melbourne Victory.
This week they face Geelong which sits a spot above them on the ladder.
In the NPL, Hume City suffered a second straight loss, losing to Dandenong City, 1-0.
Meanwhile, Hume City will travel to Canberra to play the Tigers in the round of 32 of the FFA Cup.
MORE NPL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/green-gully-draws-on-confidence-to-topple-avondale/
