Friday, 18 July 2008 4:00 PM
By George Kouroumalis
In what promises to be an enthralling derby contest, South Melbourne will play host to the Melbourne Knights on Sunday, with the home side needing a win to keep any finals chance alive.
After a disappointing loss to Green Gully last weekend, South now sit 5 points outside the top six, with only six competition games remaining.
Despite the loss, the Blues played quite well against the second placed Cavaliers, creating a host of chances in tough and trying conditions.
The same effort will need to be put in this weekend with the side taking on a club that has had a stellar season to date.
The Melbourne Knights currently sit clear in the top position of the Foxtel Cup table and after suffering their first loss of the season last weekend at home to Coburg, the Sunshine based club will be keen to atone for the poor result.
South should regain the services of experienced defender Adam Van Dommele for the contest, with the former A-League player returning after a one-game suspension. He will need to slot into a back four that will be tested by the speedy and dangerous Melbourne Knights front third.
In the middle of the park, South must stifle the influence of the Melbourne Knights creative players, whilst also being able to create chances of their own. One of the key players in this will be Futsalroo Fernando De Moraes, who will be looking to shine on the big stage at Bob Jane Stadium. He will need to be supported by the two hard working and experienced players in Scott MacNicol and captain Rama Tavsancioglu, both of whom will be expected to lift to another level for this contest.
Up front, former Melbourne Knights player Nathan Caldwell will be expected to shoulder the bulk of the attacking duties with Gianni De Nittis. Caldwell has had an exceptional month of football, culminating in a man of the match display against Green Gully last weekend.
South Melbourne urges all fans to get along and support the boys at Bob Jane Stadium this Sunday afternoon in what is a crunch match for the club. Kick-off is at 3pm, with the under 21 contest commencing at 12.45pm.
South Melbourne FC vs Melbourne Knights
When: Sunday, July 20th
Where: Bob Jane Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm (Under 21s at 12.45pm)
Projected Starting line-ups
South Melbourne
Tommi Tomich (GK), Sam Poutakidis, Rama Tavsancioglu, Steven O’Dor, Shane Nunes, Scott MacNicol, Goran Zoric, Adam Van Dommele, Fernando De Moraes, Nathan Caldwell, Gianni De Nittis
Melbourne Knights
Antony Loncaric (GK), Steve Iosifidis, Mathew Grbesa, Craig Elvin, Ivan Franjic, James Cumming, Anthony Pelikan, James Timmons, Cameron Watson, Andrew Barisic, Zoran Petrevski
Head to head (Games since 2005)
Played : 7
South Melbourne : 3
Melbourne Knights : 3
Draw : 1
Last Meeting
When: Sunday, 13 April 2008
Where: Knights Stadium
Score: Melbourne Knights 2 def South Melbourne 0
Form in 2008 (last 3 games)
South Melbourne: Draw, Loss, Loss
Melbourne Knights: Win, Win, Loss