Day: April 14, 2005

Thursday, 14 April 2005 11:13 PM

The positives of tradition and rivalry will hopefully ensure that the big winner on Sunday is Australian football.

SMFC and Preston are two traditional clubs that have not only helped form the basis of grassroots support and Socceroo success, but also continue to be part of the fabric of local football in Melbourne.

The club wishes to inform all members and supporters, that all reasonable precautions necessary are being taken, in order to avoid any incident that may damage or impinge on the profile and reputation of our great club.

Many people in both football and especially non-football circles are viewing this fixture as a test for our great club in it’s continued existence as a powerhouse club in Australia’s new football era.

It is imperative that both SMFC and Preston supporters understand the significance of any potential negative repercussions might have on the future of their respective clubs.

Let Sunday be a memorable celebration of tradition and passionate rivalry whereby Victorian football can be proud and the atmosphere at BJS is pulsating for all the right reasons – that being for the football displayed on the pitch.

May the best team win!

SMFC GUIDELINES

Supporters will be asked to adhere to the following guidelines set out by the club in consultation with the FFV and police requirements;

What IS NOT Allowed
• No national flags to be brought in to the ground i.e. Greek or FYROM;
• No contentious symbols or banners to be displayed i.e. The Star of Vergina;
• Supporters to occupy designated areas as allocated, see plan;
• No flares or fireworks permitted into the ground;
• Zero tolerance policy on any unruly or inciteful behaviour by patrons;

What IS Allowed
• Blue and White banners pertaining to SMFC;
• Red banners with a yellow lion pertaining to Preston;
• Passionate chanting and boisterous support;

After the Game
All SMFC supporter designated areas will be asked to wait for 10 minutes after the conclusion of the match to allow Preston supporters adequate time to leave BJS.

Non Compliance

A zero tolerance policy has been set by the Police, FFV and the club. Any person who does not comply with the above guidelines will be removed from the stadium.

Any supporter found guilty of inciting or contributing to bringing the club or the sport of football into disrepute will face the possibility of being barred from the club.

Please do the right thing and support the club in achieving an incident free fixture which will give no one the right to discredit this wonderful game of football and also SMFC.

Thursday, 14 April 2005 3:44 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

Traditionally tense NSL rivals South Melbourne and the Preston Lions renew their rivalry this coming Sunday in the tenth round of the Vodafone Premier League.

Both sides suffered narrow losses in the previous round, with South losing its unbeaten start to the season at the hands of the Green Gully Cavaliers, going down 1-0, whilst Preston was sunk by a late Heidelberg penalty, eventually losing 1-2 to the Phil Stubbin’s coached outfit.

Rivalry aside both clubs have much to play for. With contrasting fortunes, a Preston defeat could see the Vlado Vanis-coached side enter the relegation zone, whilst a second consecutive loss for South could see its early season momentum come to a grinding halt.

The off-season for the Lions saw the departure of club captain Chris Emsovski, potent striker Naum Sekulovski, giant goalkeeper Pasi Schwalger as well as ex-Melbourne Knight’s defender Sasa Ogenovski, four major losses which have no doubt contributed to the Lion’s stuttering start to the season.

Coming into the club the Lions have looked to ex-NSL experience bringing in former South and Green Gully striker Anthony Magnacca, ex-Melbourne Knight’s youngster Serkan Oksuz as well as ex-South midfielder Stephen Pace.

Long-time Preston striker Johnny Sapazovski has started the season in good form topping the Vodafone Premier League with 4 goals thus far. Sapazovski’s lanky frame is joined up front by ex-South Melbourne youngster Steve Manceski who has proved a good foil for Sapazovski with his compact game and pace contributing 2 goals to the Preston cause. However, Manceski failed to start last week against Heidelberg with the recently signed Alex Josifovski getting the nod, meaning his contribution could be limited to an appearance off the bench.

Furthermore, Sunday signals the return to Bob Jane Stadium of ex-South right-winger Ray Sekulovski. Sekulovski was a fixture in the South starting 11 during the 2002-2003 season after then coach Eddie Krncevic had plucked him from the AIS. Finally, the Lions will be without the services of central defender Pece Dimovski after his red card against the Warriors sees him miss via suspension.

In the South camp, Coach John Anastasiadis has had his hand forced with a hamstring injury ruling out giant centre-back Arthur Tsonis for 2-3 weeks. Promising youngster Steven O’Dor who has looked at ease in his prior appearances will no doubt come straight back into the starting 11 to partner defensive colossus Con Blatsis.

Captain Vaughn Coveny – at the time of print – is still waiting on a tribunal hearing that will determine the length of his suspension after receiving a direct red against the Sunshine Georgies. If a 1 match ban is deemed to be sufficient punishment, the Kiwi international will be thrown straight back into the starting 11 at the expense of youngster Jesse Krncevic. Should Coveny have to sit the game out, Anastasiadis must decide whether to persist with the in-experience of Krncevic or perhaps assess his options and include the likes of Peter Koutsoupias to lead the line.

Exciting Brazilian signing Fernando Moraes made a solid debut in the game against Green Gully and is likely to maintain his position in the starting 11. The Brazilian brings a fluent passing game as well as sound positioning to the line-up which in the game against Gully helped balance South.

Finally, one cannot stress enough the importance of a unified supporter approach before, during and after the encounter. With a big crowd expected and many administrators as well as fans in general casting their gaze, it is crucial that the only winner is the game of football itself.