Image: Anita Milas/Just Shoot
“Give us a shout out Sero, give us a shout out,” yells Kingston City midfielder Deniz Sabanovski, as his teammate and good friend Sermin Sadikovski prepares to face the awaiting press pack following his side’s crucial 2-1 away victory at Dandenong City.
The 22-year-old admittedly isn’t used to the spotlight, but is experiencing an unprecedented level of form and consistency at the moment, making several telling saves throughout the afternoon on a rain-soaked surface at Frank Holohan Reserve.
“It was a massive win and we didn’t care how we played, we just wanted to get the three points and got the job done, so we are now relieved and looking forward to next week’s game,” he says.
The shot-stopper proved valuable between the sticks, with the highlight of his day being a fantastic double save late on to maintain Kingston’s lead heading into the latter stages of the contest.
Sadikovski began the season as the club’s second choice custodian behind Frenchman Julien Chaumet who has recently departed the club and returned back home to pursue his university studies although his successor is full of praise for his input and the experience he gained from working with him.
“The best thing to happen to me was Julien coming down as I learned a lot from him and his departure was a big disappointment for the whole team but I had my chance and have taken it. The coach said to me that you’re my number one keeper from now so it’s up to you whether you take that opportunity or not. David Thomson has come on board as well and he is a very experienced goalkeeper and I’m still learning a lot from him too.”
Not contempt with that, Sadikovski extended the love to coach Nick Tolios and the rest of the playing squad who have won six of their last eight with Sadikovski in goals following the loss of Chaumet.
“Tolsy and the lads have been absolutely amazing to me especially when I first came in as the number one and it’s a great confidence booster to be in that position.”
The confident young shot-stopper is embarking on his second spell at The Grange Reserve having featured for City in 2014 where the designated first-choice made 13 appearances.
He appears set to surpass that mark this campaign having already made 11 league appearances after his time as back-up to Zaim Zeneli at Dandenong Thunder last season was cut short by a season-ending knee injury and admits that he would not have been playing this year had Kingston not come calling.
“I was with Dandenong Thunder last season and was in the team for the first five-six games before injuring my knee which forced me to miss the rest of the season. To be honest I was very lucky to get the call back from Tolsy as I was very glad that he decided to do that because I don’t think I’d be playing this year had he not called me.”
On the day, Kingston took an early lead when Dandenong City defender Halil Gur headed the ball into back of his own net before extending it in the second half through a Velibor Mitrovic penalty, the playmaker’s 16th goal in 18 outings this season.
The hosts mounted a late charge when Nick Teichmann was sent-off for denying Gonzalo Freddi a clear goal-scoring opportunity with Dario Matkovic reducing the deficit from the spot, only for the visitors to hold on, much to the relief of their in-form goalkeeper.
“The rooms are absolutely buzzing after a game like this when you get the three points as we are now sixteen points clear of third place so you really can’t ask for much more.”
While the Goulburn Valley Suns were not able to do Kingston a favour later that night by going down 3-2 to Dandenong Thunder, Sadikovski is not looking too far ahead to the rivals Round 26 blockbuster clash with City three points behind the NPL2 East league leaders.
“We play Thunder in three weeks but then again that’s three weeks away so we need to take it game-by-game or else will slip up along the way so we’re just looking forward to next weekend against Murray United at home. While I am looking forward to that game against Thunder, we need to be concentrated on the next game and worry about Thunder when the game comes.”
Sadikovski’s sentiments were also echoed by his manager in the post-game presser conference with Tolios also stressing the importance of his goalkeeper’s contribution to the three points.
“I thought Sero was superb and stepping in now that Julien is gone, he’s been great and those two saves he pulled off at 2-0 were defining moments in the contest.”
With Kingston hot on the trails of the Thunder, Tolios will be hoping his goalkeeper can continue his good form as City enter the final stretch of the season with promotion firmly on their mind.