(Pre-season Friendly, South Hobart Oval, Saturday, 28 January 2023)
South Hobart 3 (Jackson Dent 12, Iskander Van Doorne 26, Sam Lancaster 69)
Dandenong Thunder 3 (Joshua Meaker 20, Seva Ismali 60, Grad Daman 76)
HT: 2-1 Att: 200 Ref: S Plomaritis
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The return of former South Hobart winger Kasper Hallam was eagerly anticipated in this game, but the youngster went off after just 20 minutes as he felt a tweak in the quadriceps.
It was a pity as he had a hand in Dandenong Thunder’s early equaliser and must have been looking forward to showing what he has learned from his stint with A-League club Melbourne Victory.
Dandenong looked the technically more accomplished team, but South Hobart demonstrated grit and determination and also a fair amount of skill, too.
Dandenong switched play from one flank to the other constantly with long diagonal passes, which had the South Hobart defence scampering to cover their opponents.
The Dandenong wingers were fast and skilful and used feints and other tricks to round opponents, get to the byline and send in dangerous crosses for lurking team-mates.
Jackson Dent put South Hobart ahead from close range in the 12th minute, but a cross from Hallam paved the way for Joshua Meaker to equalise 8 minute later.
South Hobart restored their lead before half-time when Alex Browne’s shot was turned against the inside of the far left-hand post by Dandenong keeper Majak Mawith and, as the ball rolled back across the face of goal, Iskander Van Doorne slammed it home.
Dandenong increased the temp in the second half and Kieran Dover was menacing down the flanks, as was Sanih Zijai.
Josh Karanz was dangerous in a central role and he almost scored with a fierce shot that South Hobart keeper Jake Hayers turned against the bar. Hayers had come on at half-time in place of Nick O’Connell, who has returned after a season at A-League side Brisbane Roar.
Zijai was unlucky not to score when he headed Dover’s cross from the right against the bar from beyond the far post.
Seva Ismaili made it 2-2 on the hour, but South Hobart refused to surrender and kept pressing whenever they could.
They were rewarded in the 69th minute when Sam Lancaster out them ahead with a fine goal.
With 14 minutes remaining, Dandenong again attacked down the right flank and the tricky Zijai beat his fullback and cut the ball back for Grad Daman to make it 3-3.
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South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said:
“We wanted to get a good hour in with a strong team and I think we just did that so we’ll be good for the run.
“We needed a good hit-out and we got that today.
“They were very sharp and slick in different periods of the game with good flank attacks and we had to defend well to keep them out.
“Overall, an enjoyable game for the people to watch and a pleasure to have Dandenong in Hobart. It was great.
Dandenong Thunder coach, David Chick, said:
“I think it was a good hit-out against good opposition who tested us all the way through. They were well organised and worked hard and we got a tough game, which is what we wanted.
“It was a very competitive game with six goals so it was entertaining for the neutral.
“There’s a bit for us to work on, but we know that.
“I enjoyed the hit-out. I’ve been here before with a different team and it’s always good.”
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