Dandenong Thunder claim 2012 double

Jason Turner

Dandenong Thunder has claimed their first State Knockout Cup after a 5-4 penalty shootout victory against a gallant Port Melbourne Sharks at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday evening.

Thunder captain and Jimmy Mackay Medallist Shane Rexhepi was the hero with his spot-kick handing Dandenong the Dockerty Cup.

In an uneventful encounter, both sides failed to create many chances as a plucky Port Melbourne proved a worthy opponent for the newly-crowned Victorian Premier League minor premiers.

The contest livened up during extra-time with both sides tiring; the game's clearest chances coming late with both goalkeepers forced into saves.

Earlier, Dandenong gradually increased their control of possession after the State League side showed they weren't going to be pushovers.

One of the earliest moments of excitement didn't come through a goal or brilliant save, but it was when the Lakeside Stadium lights sparked up after a power outage threatened to end the game at half time.

After a delayed start to the second period, the Thunder still struggled to navigate their way through an organised Sharks defence, although the favourites' lack of imagination was also a factor.

Iqi Jawadi and Shane Rexhepi worked hard throughout the contest while Luke Sherbon squandered his side's best opportunity in normal time with his 62nd minute effort drawing a comfortable save from Adam Hrehoresin.

Niclas Ronne, playing in attacking role, stood out for Port Melbourne with a number of chances falling to his feet. He was the only player who managed to get the ball into the net during the first 120 minutes, however, it was ruled out for offside.

Ronne's lovely floated free-kick into the side netting close to full-time nearly fooled the crowd again, but it always seemed a game that was heading to penalties.

The withdrawal of Luke Sherbon, who was clutching his hamstring, seemed to take a little bit of the sting out the Dandenong attack.

Nate Foster, who replaced Sherbon, had a couple of chances in a more entertaining extra time though it was Port who was the closest to finding a winner.

Port Melbourne substitute Dylan Murnane went extremely close with his lovely free kick drawing an excellent and crucial save from Zaim Zaneli.

So Port's aims to become the first lower tier side to win Victoria's cup competition in 61 years hinged on the luck of a penalty shootout.

Port Melbourne kicked off proceeding with their outstanding Ronne smashing home the first spot kick.

Both sides were able to respond to each other's conversions until Paul Millar was forced to retake his penalty after failing to wait for the referee's whistle.

Agonisingly, Millar was unable to get past Zaneli who was able to save the poorly taken penalty.
Liam Kearney was then capitalised to open up a narrow margin. Anders Simonsen's successful attempt allowed Rexhepi the opportunity to write himself into Dandenong Thunder history.

Thunder's jubilant Rexhepi paid credit to Port Melbourne, who matched it with their highly fancied opposition.

"It is a bad way to lose, but we’ve been in that position before and lost," Rexhepi said after the game.

"So when I stepped up for that penalty there was no way I was going to lose the game."

Dandenong coach Chris Taylor was happy but will be expecting his side to celebrate another triumph.

"It's not the one we're going to be celebrating for three or four days but they'll have a night out tonight and hopefully we'll refocus and prepare for the big one," Taylor said in reference to their attempt to make the VPL Grand Final.

Port Melbourne coach Eric Vassiliadis was immensely pleased with his club's showing.

"We came here with nothing to lose but it was important we went out there and make a good impression. We were brave and stuck to our game plan but when it comes to penalties, it's clearly a lottery."

Match Details

Port Melbourne 0-0 Dandenong Thunder

Port Melbourne Sharks: Adam HREHORISIN, Martin MASON, Harris VRBOVAC (Paul MILLAR 99'), Felix ROSMAN, Peter ROBERTS (Tim PATON 66'), Shane GILL, Denis DASOUL, Tony OULIARIS (Dylan MURNANE 81'), Niclas RONNE, John SAPASOVSKI (Alex KHRAPKO 63'), Andres SIMONSEN.

Unused Subs: Anthony SARIC.

Yellow Cards: Ouliaris 21’, Ronne 55’, Dassoul 87’

Dandenong Thunder: Zaim ZANELI, Andrew MULLET, Bryan BRAN, Shpetim MALA (Ross THOMPSON 66'), Shane REXHEPI, Craig ELVIN, Liam KEARNEY, Matthew THEODORE, Iqbal JAWADI, Luke SHERBON (Feston AZIZI 90'), Sean MCILROY (Nate FOSTER 66').

Unused Subs: Stuart WESBTER, Enes SIVIC.

Yellow Cards: Elvin 21’, Bran 24’, Foster 88’