Friday, 14 July 2006 7:02 PM
By Michael Tsoukalis
After a sterling 0-2 triumph last week at Knights stadium, South return to familiar territory this week taking on the relegation threatened Sunshine Georgies.
The Georgies who are now coached by ex-South youth coach Joe Montemurro have suffered three defeats in succession and find themselves in the bottom two.
Sunshine’s leading marksman UK import Fidell Richards who along with fellow striker Mark Draycott have netted almost half of Sunshine’s 22 goals this season. Both players will have to be closely contained by a youthful South defence who have put aside their inexperience to currently boast the third best defensive record in the league.
Trent Waterson is another player South will have to watch closely with the diminutive midfielder having scored three times this campaign including the solitary goal against South in the Round 7 clash which saw Joe Montemurro begin his coaching reign in the best possible manner.
Conversely, South are in 2nd position with both Altona and Kingston in close pursuit and will be looking for maximum points to consolidate their standing as well as wrap up a place in the top six.
South will be without both Captain Vaughn Coveny who has officially departed to the A-League whilst Trinidad and Tobago native Kevin Nelson, who went off injured last week against the Knights, has been deemed surplus to requirements and moved on from the club.
Youngsters such as Andrew Bourakis, Gianni DeNittis and Nick Curtis will now be given increased responsibility and will no doubt have the opportunity to raise their games to the next level.
South may be also boosted by the return of leading goal-scorer and midfield inspiration Fernando Moraes after the Brazilian was unsuccessful with his recent attempt to break into Greek first division football with Aigaleo.
Moraes may indeed be ready to resume with South as early as this Sunday in what would be a massive psychological boost for John Anastasiadis’s men as the Brazilian adds a level of flair and quality that is unique in the Vodafone Cup.
Finally, young winger Vasilios Natsioulas could be a chance to return to the squad after sitting out the past encounters with a muscle injury picked up in training.