Day: October 14, 2002

Monday, 14 October 2002 12:00 AM

South Melbourne showed great courage, fighting back from a half time two-nil deficit at Brookvale Oval on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately a last minute slip up cost South Melbourne the away point.

Despite the loss many positives came out of the match. Peter Buljan and Bill Damianos made their first appearances for the season and according to coach Danny Wright turned the match around after half time.

Buljan began the season in great touch scoring the equaliser and setting up numerous opportunities for his team-mates. Damianos replaced Murdocca at half time and caused headaches for the home side with his precise passing and through balls.

Other players such as Kisnorbo who scored his third goal for South Melbourne and Michael Baird who got himself into great positions in front of goal were in fine form.

Danny Wright had this to say when he returned from Sydney:

“The players did well to dig themselves out of a hole in the second half. What we need to do is find the reasons that we found ourselves in that position in the first place”.

“We can speculate on this or that combination or the inclusion of other personnel but ultimately it is the player son the park on any given day that need to be accountable”.

“In spite of our slow start to the season, I will not lower my expectations I have from my playing staff”, says Wright.

South Melbourne takes on last seasons finalists Perth Glory at Bob Jane Stadium this Sunday, in a crucial game for the Blue and Whites. Coach Danny Wright understands the importance of this weekend’s Round 5 fixture.

“Our main objective this weekend is to keep a clean sheet and in doing so we will provide the platform for our natural attacking players to build on for a victory, says Wright.

Monday, 14 October 2002 12:00 AM

Influential midfielder Bill Damianos came on as a half time substitute in South Melbourne’s 3 – 2 loss against Northern Spirit on the weekend. His impact was immediate and had the home side reeling in South Melbourne’s vigorous second half revival.

Damianos returned to Lakeside this season after four years in the Greece. His signing a week before the commencement of the season added depth and flamboyancy to an already impressive South Melbourne squad.

The midfielder, who has played 89 matches for South Melbourne joined the Club in 1994-95, went on to be one of the leagues most exciting young talents and played an integral role in South Melbourne’s 1997/98 Championship season.

Over the past month, Damianos has been working extremely hard to improve his fitness level and is elated with his progress and match form thus far.

“To be back training and playing football is a breath of fresh air. I have been training hard to get back into form and consolidate my position in the squad”.

“I was pleased with my game on Sunday, but at the end of the day if we don’t get the points then it means nothing”, says Damianos

His vision, and ability to score spectacular goals will add a further facet to South Melbourne’s attacking style of play. He has scored 11 goals for the Club and we look forward to him scoring many more this season.