Team spirit is high at Box Hill United according to Joey Calderone, despite his club’s 3-2 defeat against Kingston City on Monday night.
The 20-year-old defender played his first game of the season at Box Hill after returning from a stint at Springvale White Eagles last year.
Calderone voiced his frustration with the defeat, but believes the team showed encouraging signs after a poor start to the game.
“The boys are all pretty disappointed with the loss,” he said.
“In the first 20 minutes we were just all over the place, but after copping two goals we regrouped and started playing some good football.”
United conceded two goals within 15 minutes after two outstanding strikes from Kingston forward Stelios Konstantinidis, before Seb Berroro pegged one back for the visitors before half time.
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Whilst Box Hill managed to turn the same deficit around at half time in Round One to beat Murray United, they couldn’t repeat the feat against Kingston, conceding another goal and mustering up one of their own in response – taking away only a few positive aspects from the game, rather than the desired three points.
“The result wasn’t what we wanted, but even the coach said he’s happy with the team spirit,” Calderone said.
“We did go down 3-1 but we kept fighting. The team spirit is unbelievable in the change rooms.
“We got back with an amazing goal from Patrick [Thiakane] and I thought it [the comeback] would happen in the end, but we didn’t get there.”
The defender – shifted from his usual left back spot to the centre of defence by new Box Hill coach Alfredo Constantino – put in a solid shift for his club, making a number of crucial interceptions, winning one-on-one challenges, and controlling play with impressive passes.
Calderone was quick to downplay his impact on the game, however, critical of his own perceived slow start to the contest.
“It was my first game of the season and it took me a while to get into it,” he said.
“After about the first 15 – 20 minutes I thought I did okay. As the game went on I felt that I gained more confidence and so did the whole team.
“I was generally a left back, but since coming back this season I’m playing as a centre back and really enjoying the challenge.
“Alfredo has helped me a lot so far and he has a very impressive technical and tactical approach. He’s a great coach.”
The club now shifts its focus onto next week’s clash against Springvale White Eagles, and Calderone, who will be up against his old teammates, believes his new squad has what it takes to put this week behind them.
“We’ll re-group and I’m sure next week against Springvale we’ll have a good game,” he said.
“We have a good family spirit in the team and everyone wants to play well for the club. We all look out for each other and I really believe we will do well.”