Just over three months ago Bentleigh Greens played their last competitive fixture against A-League opponents Perth Glory in the FFA Cup.
Their next clash will see the Greens host newcomers North Geelong Warriors in the opening round of NPL Victoria on Friday night.
Despite a shorter turnaround between seasons than most clubs, Bentleigh Greens coach John Anastasiadis believes his squad is “ready to fire.”
“It’s been a long pre-season,” Anastasiadis told The Corner Flag.
“We started out on 1st of December and considering we finished on November 11th, it was not much of a break.
“We have had players take extended breaks making pre-season a bit unorganized, but after the new year everyone came together and since then we have been working hard in preparation for the first game this Friday night.
“Everyone is ready to fire and we know it is going to be a very tough season.”
The Greens captured national headlines following a remarkable FFA Cup run, which saw the state league side reach the Semi-Finals of the inaugural competition.
The momentum generated by the Cup performance, coupled by a host of off-season signings, has seen Anastasiadis’ men labelled amongst the title favourites, adding to the high expectations circulating ahead of the campaign.
“There is an added buzz, but also an added pressure, because everyone expects us to back up on what we did last year,” he said.
“We are going to have 26 cup finals this year, and on the back of the FFA Cup run last year and what the club generated in interest and all that sort of stuff that came with it, there is no doubt that every club will be looking to knock us off.
“So it does not matter whether it is North Geelong of South Melbourne, every game is the same. We want to go out there and win the game while playing our style of football and hopefully get the three points.”
The 46-year-old has added a raft of experience and firepower to his squad, replacing a numbers of names that departed after the 2014 season.
South Melbourne trio Tyson Holmes, Dion Kirk and Kobbie Boahene arrive to the club following a successful 2014, joining Knights forward Daniel Visevic and former Gold Coast United Youth and Dandenong Thunder defender Steven Topalovic.
Anastasiadis, however, eluded to his interstate trio as the players to watch for 2015.
“The squad has been very well balanced this year,” the coach said.
“I have always looked at players who can not only play one particular position but at least two positions so we have got that from most of the boys which is pretty good.
“I think we have got three good boys from Queensland in Chris Lucas, Matt Thurtell and Troy Ruthven. I think those three will add something different to the league so I expect them to fire.”
Following on from the successes the FFA Cup, alongside two relatively successful domestic seasons, Anastasiadis said capturing this year’s title would succeed all the heights of the past year.
“Any title you win is good so for me. If you win the title it eclipses everything else.
“It does not matter if you get to the quarter-finals or semi-finals of anything else. If we do win the title that will no doubt be a sensational feat for the boys.”
Bentleigh Greens opens it 2015 NPL Victoria season against North Geelong Warriors on Friday night. Kick-off is at 8.30pm at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.