THE tireless young legs of Werribee City were a significant factor in it outlasting Western Suburbs in a 3-1 win in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 on Sunday.
Bees sports director Giorgio Pastorini told the Weekly his side’s youthfulness had come in handy late in games when the more experienced opposition begins to tire.
“They’re very young and they run for 90 minutes,” he said.
“From the first to the last minute, they are full of dash and that’s a big advantage.”
The first half, described as “wishy washy”, was not one to write home about. The sides struggled to gain control in the blustery conditions.
But the game sparked up immediately after the break when Western Suburbs fired one past Bees goalkeeper Tommy Dunn.
Dunn was called on to make a good save just moments later and rose to the challenge.
The Bees found a way back into the contest through a dazzling free kick from Tomi Razov.
“The free kick was from about 30 metres,” Pastorini said. “It went over the wall and ended up in the corner of the left side of the goalkeeper. It was very precise.”
Enter Julien Cassano. The in-form striker came into the game on the back of a hat-trick against St Albans Saints and he had more goals on the menu.
Cassano scored a go-ahead goal and the insurance goal to make it five goals in two games – only his third full outing for the Bees since returning from injury.
“He has the ability to be at the right point at the right moment,” Pastorini said.
“He finds himself open a lot in front of the goalkeeper. It’s his speed and reading the game so well. He’s coming from an injury, so he’s not yet at 100 per cent.”
Anthony Ragusa’s influence in the middle of the park was a key factor in Werribee’s win. Ragusa’s importance was heightened in the absence of injured captain Milan Savic, who usually pulls the strings in the centre.
“In my opinion, he was the best man on the ground,” Pastorini said. “He took the midfield’s hand.”
Ivica Praiz was also rock-solid in defence.
“They played well, all of them,” Pastorini said of his side.
