These two teams played two pre-season games in Hobart.

The first match was a 2-2 draw. The second (which I saw) was a 3-2 win for Bentleigh. A fortuitous penalty awarded to the VPL side resulted in a winning goal.

Usually the Melbourne Knights or South Melbourne defeat South Hobart (Tasmania's top club) convincingly in pre-season games.

I thought South Hobart was the better team in their 2-3 loss to Bentleigh, coached by John Anastiadis. The VPL side had former A League players Scott Bullock, Anthony Skorich and Like Pilkington. Although these three players weren't on the pitch at teh same time in the second game.

South Hobart appeared outclassed in the first 20 mintes, with Bentleigh demonstrating good connection between their midfield and defence. Bentleigh's intense full pressing was good and they were very effective in the defensive and attacking transitions, reorganising quickly. They made the pitch big when they had the ball and small when they didn't.

Then South started to get back into the game and finished the game much stronger than Bentleigh. In the second half, South played a 1-3-4-3, also known as the 1-4-3-3 with the 1:3 shape in the back four. Bentleigh had trouble with this and didn't adjust sufficiently.

Bentleigh played a very high line. This forced their keeper to play as a sweeper well out from goal. Many well- placed midfield passes from South split their defence with well-timed runs from the likes of Andy Brennan.

After seeing this game, if Tassie doesn't get an A League team, if the T league isn't a vast improvement on the split state league, then it is imperative that a Tassie team plays regularly in the VPL.



Any insights into Bentleigh?