South Melbourne FC

The Blue and White Forever

Young boys shine as South bury the Bergers

Young boys shine as South bury the Bergers

Monday, 17 September 2012 12:12 PM


By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

South Melbourne FC completed its Victorian Premier League season with a straightforward 5-2 victory against traditional rival and bottom-placed Heidelberg United at Olympic Village on Sunday afternoon. A double from Shaun Kelly and singles from Matko Budimir, Baggio Yousif and Tom Matthews won the game for South and ensured that the Blues finished the season in sixth place, a mere one point off fifth spot and a place in the 2012 finals series.

South went into the game on the back of the heartbreaking 1-1 draw against Bentleigh Greens at Lakeside Stadium last Sunday afternoon. The draw meant that South could not make the finals mathematically and with the Bergers already relegated, rendered Sunday’s derby meaningless in terms of the League standings. Nevertheless, South wanted to finish the season on a high and defeat the Bergers for the second time in the League this season. With Dimi Tsiaras suspended and Glen Trifiro out with an ankle injury, coach Peter Tsolakis decided to also rest several senior players and replace them with younger players. This saw Matko Budimir, Andrew Cartanos, Baggio Yousif, James Karvelis and goalkeeper Jason Saldaris all start for the Club, with Karvelis and Saldaris making their League debuts for South.

South opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Shaun Kelly flicked Joe Keenan’s corner on for Budimir to head home for his first South goal. The away side held the lead until the 33rd minute when Devon Bonne was put through on goal by Kristian Sarkies and slotted past Saldaris. South took a two goal lead in only a matter of minutes as Kelly firstly headed past Chris May with the assistance of the goal post in the 38th minute and then volleyed home in the 40th minute after Cartanos’ initial shot was blocked and rebounded for him. Heidelberg got back in the game right on the halftime break thanks to Sarkies’ second assist of the game when his free kick on the right was powerfully headed home by Arthur Papadopoulos.

Tsolakis introduced Trent Rixon early in the second half as the big striker played for the first time since his ban following being sent off against Richmond on 20 July. He combined up front with Steve Burton and set the Englishman up to fire a shot that beat May but not the crossbar. South finally wrapped up the three points when Norton put Yousif through on goal and the youngster slotted past May for his first goal for the Club. Matthews also scored his first goal for the Blues only minutes later when he popped up at the back post to tap into an empty net following some good lead-up play from the left side. Captain Steven O’Dor and Fernando De Moraes were given some game time in the final twenty minutes as South cruised to victory and ended their season on a high. Green Gully’s defeat of Northcote meant that South finished the season only a point behind fifth-placed Northcote, showing just how costly Scott Bulloch’s 92nd minute goal was for Bentleigh against South last Sunday.

The Under-21s also finished their season strongly by defeating Heidelberg 7-0.

FINAL SCORE: HEIDELBERG UNITED 2-5 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 2-3)

Goal Scorers:
0-1: Matko Budimir (20′)
1-1: Devon Bonne (33′)
1-2: Shaun Kelly (38′)
1-3: Shaun Kelly (40′)
2-3: Arthur Papadopoulos (45+3′)
2-4: Baggio Yousif (68′)
2-5: Tom Matthews (72′)

Heidelberg United:
1. Chris MAY (GK), 2. Arthur PAPADOPOULOS (13. Abbut DIB 70′), 4. Nassim COURAIL, 6. John BOUNIS, 8. Zane SOLE, 9. Kristian SARKIES, 10. Nick MARINOS (19. Abdul AHMED 88′), 12. Kamal IBRAHIM, 14. James MOUTSAS, 15. Pavle DURKIC, 18. Devon BONNE

South Melbourne FC:
21. Jason SALDARIS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 7. Joe KEENAN, 11. Bradley NORTON, 12. Steve BURTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 17. Matko BUDIMIR (4. StevenO’DOR 69’), 19. Shaun KELLY (9. Trent RIXON 51’), 20. Andrew CARTANOS, 23. Baggio YOUSIF (15. Fernando DE MORAES 69’), 25. James KARVELIS

SMFC Man of the Match: Shaun Kelly
Venue: Olympic Village
Date: Sunday 16 September 2012

Privacy Preference Center