Two teams came together on Saturday to share their love of soccer and forge new friendships. Back: Dandenong RSL welfare officer John Filmer, Doveton Special Soccer School coach Carlos Loyola, Cleeland United player Oker Johnson with Doveton Special Soccer School player Bobby Slatter and Cleeland player Matter Tayav. Front: Players Simon Pollock, Samuel Jada and Trent Parker.
By Rebecca Fraser
IT WAS a clash of two nations on Saturday when two local soccer teams came together for a friendly game in Doveton.
Players from the Doveton Special Soccer School and Cleeland United, a Dandenong-based team comprising many Sudanese migrants, took to the field at Waratah Reserve.
The scores were close with the Sudanese team winning 4-3.
But competition was not the aim of the game – forging ties between recently arrived residents and the community was.
Doveton coach Carlos Loyola said the day had been fantastic and everyone had enjoyed watching and taking part in the tight match.
“It was a really good way to bring the community together and give people the chance to play and get involved,” he said.
“Everyone really did play well.
Dandenong RSL welfare officer John Filmer helped bring the two teams together on Saturday and said it was great to see the Sudanese players given the opportunity to play against and meet other teams.
Michael Banzaro, a former player with Sudan’s national team, is heavily involved with Cleeland United and said the players had greatly enjoyed the day.
There are now plans for the club’s younger players to play against the Doveton Special Soccer School later this year.
Mr Banzaro said many of his team members had played in their home country and were keen to keep playing in Australia.
“I want to say thank you to the people who helped organise the game. It was really good,” he said.
