Mangara Munguakonkha scored a wonder goal for GV Suns during its win over Eltham Redbacks on Saturday.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Goulburn Valley Suns has found its very own rocket man.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
New signing Mangara Munguakonkha has impressed since touching down at McEwen Reserve, but on Saturday night, the Albury recruit showed just how deep his bag of tricks really goes.
Munguakonkha’s second-half surface-to-air missile was the party piece during the Orangemen’s 3-1 win over Eltham Redbacks in the Victorian Premier League Two, putting the Suns back on course with their second win in three games.
Coach Craig Carley labelled the electric attacker “unplayable on his day”, and with a bit more polish, said the Suns may have found its next match-winner.
GV Suns’ Christian Ntambwe looks to shut down Eltham’s Nicky Edwards.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 2 of 7
GV Suns’ Hideyuki Ochi keeps the ball away from Eltham’s Billy Romas.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 3 of 7
Eltham’s Josh Dennett and GV Suns’ Cailyn Trask tussle for possession.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 4 of 7
GV Suns’ Danny Edwards gets on the drive down the wing.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 5 of 7
GV Suns’ Israel Monga sprays a ball across the backline.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 6 of 7
GV Suns’ Mangara Munguakonkha had the better of Eltham’s Dylan Bresolin all game.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 7 of 7
GV Suns’ Liam Kielty clatters into Eltham's Lewis Bamford.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“We see glimpses of it in training and the goal he scored in the second half was 35 yards out and into the top corner - I don’t think many keepers in the world actually save that,” he said.
“He’s certainly a star; I think we need to get that consistency in his game, but he’s going to be a player to look out for this season.”
Coming off a loss the week prior, the Suns showed plenty of zeal against a Redbacks side that entered the clash as league leaders.
Eltham’s keeper denied the Suns with a fantastic double save 10 minutes from the break, but just before half-time, the Suns had their opener.
Full back Israel Monga won the ball with a hard challenge and slipped in Danny Edwards down the left who crashed it home at the near post.
Monga, making his starting debut aged just 16, had the task of containing former Newport County and Torquay United winger Lewis Collins and did a tremendous job, with Carley branding the youngster’s cameo as “excellent”.
However, the Redbacks equalised on the other side of half-time from a trademark bullet throw - launched 50-plus yards, mind you - that was stylishly flicked over the line by Nicky Edwards.
If the game’s second goal was tidy, the third was downright disgusting.
Eltham defended a chance which was recycled into Munguakonkha’s path, and he wasted no time ripping leather off the ball with a net-busting strike that whistled into the top-left corner from well outside the box.
Sean Grant capped the performance with the Suns’ third, finishing a well-worked counter by sliding the ball through the keeper’s legs and sealing a delightful three points in Carley’s eyes.
“First and foremost, I’m really pleased to get the three points - I certainly think they were deserved,” he said.
“I was really impressed with how we played, creating chances and dealing with their threat as well.
“They were very direct and relied on those set pieces, and our defence stood up really well and handled that. I’m just really pleased to get back on the winners’ list.”
Saturday marks two home wins for the Suns, but after not seeing any reward from their first away day, the Orangemen’s road trip to face North Geelong Warriors shapes as a chance to throw the down the gauntlet.
“We need to get that consistency of performances and wins under our belt,” Carley said.
“I feel like we’ve got a clear identity of how we want to play now in keeping the ball and keeping it moving.
“So it’s important if we’re going to live up to those expectations that we can go to places like Geelong and grind out results and find solutions to the problems that teams cause us.
“Look, it’s going to be a tough game; Geelong’s never an easy trip and hopefully we can put in another consistent performance and take our chances.”
