Altona Magic claims first win of NPL Victoria season with world-class sealer

Altona Magic’s come-from-behind win over Green Gully is the club’s first of the NPL Victoria season and was sealed with a peach from Saad Moukacher.

Bul Juach celebrates a goal for Altona Magic. Picture MP Images

Altona Magic are on the board in 2024 with an eye-catching 4-2 win over NPL Victoria finals fancy Green Gully at Gully Reserve.

The Magic staged a memorable comeback to secure its first three points of the campaign, scoring the final three goals of the match to erase a 2-1 deficit early in the second half.

Afghani international Jawad Rezai scored a brace, while Bul Juach and Saad Moukachar also found the back of the net.

Moukachar’s sealer in the 91st minute is sure to be a Goal of the Year contender as the first-touch shot curled perfectly from the left wing into the right-hand top corner.

Altona coach Goran Lozanovski said it was important for his players to get a bit of reward.

90:46: GOAL! Altona Magic score to make it GGSC 2 : AMSC 4.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/qYocF7KAdZ

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) March 8, 2024

“It’s a relief because everyone wants to get their first win of the season,” Lozanovski said.

“I think we’ve been a little bit unlucky in a couple of games where we didn’t get points, which can be a little disheartening.

“The game against (Dandenong) Thunder, 2-nil up and ended up losing, and Dandenong City away 2-nil down, got it back to 2-2 but couldn’t hold on for a draw.”

Altona Magic opened the scoring through Rezai in the 14th minute as he turned in a Juach cross.

Gully levelled the scores just seconds before half-time as Adolph Koudakpo headed home and were in front six minutes after the restart thanks to Luca Tevere.

However, it took just three minutes for Magic to equalise as Rezai scored his second from a razor sharp Daniel Fabrizio cross.

The Magic lived up to their name to snatch back the lead with a well-crafted team goal.

Rezai found space with some fancy footwork on the right, cut it back to Stephen Lawless, who’s outstretched foot guided the ball to Juach to tap home.

67:01: GOAL! Altona Magic score to make it GGSC 2 : AMSC 3.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/lX2p1isl9A

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) March 8, 2024

Moukacher then wrapped up the three points to a sublime individual effort.

Lozanovski said the team was starting to find its feet after a near-complete rebuild over summer.

“They’ve been training well and finishing good moves on the track, so it just had to come together on the park,” he said.

“Friday night showed we’re going to score goals but we need to tighten up our defence as well.

“We made an error on the flank and got caught out in transition but it shows the self belief we have in the group, no matter if we go down we’ll keep fighting to the last whistle.

“It’s a great sign, people tend to ask why I scream so much, the reason is to make sure we’re switched on and understand our roles.

“Coming five weeks into the season, I think the guys are understanding what the expectations and roles are individually and collectively.”

Juach has now scored in three consecutive matches after arriving from Bulgarian club Dobrudzha Dobrich.

The match also saw Magic captain Christian Rossi make his season debut.

Lozanovski credited Rezai for an outstanding performance to inspire his team.

“Jawad was probably BOG, scored a couple of goals and created another,” he said.

“The front four was excellent and in defence, it was good to have our captain back in goals, Christian really led from behind.

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“Bul is scoring goals every week now, which is a good sigh, he’s doing exceptionally well settling into a different state and different team.”

Altona Magic jumps clear of the bottom of the ladder, leaving Moreland City as the last remaining pointless team.

Magic will have to back up on Monday night for its postponed Round 3 match against Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve before returning to Paisley Park on Saturday night to host undefeated ladder-leader South Melbourne.

Green Gully will then face Oakleigh on Friday night looking for a bounce-back performance.