Friday, 25 July 2008 3:45 PM
With the chance of playing
finals football in 2008 hanging by a thread, South Melbourne must make
the most of their opportunities as they take on Fawkner in an important
game of Victorian Football on Sunday.
South come into the game after a heart breaking 2-2 draw last
weekend at home to the Melbourne Knights. In one of the games of the
season, a ten man South side went two goals ahead, before conceding two
late goals to the top of the table team from Sunshine.
With the result fresh in the minds of the playing group and gaffer
Michael Michalakopoulos, South will be keen to grasp a much needed win
with only 5 games remaining in season 2008.
In the previous meeting between both clubs earlier this season,
South put together an astonishing display of fluent and attacking
football to overcome Fawkner by a 6-2 scoreline.
Despite the one sided nature of that contest, South will need to
brace itself for a far more resilient Fawkner side, who are desperate
for any points that they can get. In what has been a bleak year for the
men from Jukes Road, Fawkner have struggled all the way through the
season and are facing the possiblity of being relegated from the top
flight of Victorian Football for the first time in their proud history.
South will go into the game without the suspended Shane Nunes, who
was sent off in dramatic fashion against the Knights. Nunes will be
missed in that central defensive role, with either Adem Tavsancioglu or
Robbie Wynne capable of replacing the Western Australian.
In the midfield, South will enjoy the extended use of Rama
Tavsancioglu, after the captain was forced to play a more defensive
role after the Nunes send off last weekend. Rama will need to provide a
strong and committed body to compliment the more attacking players such
as Fernando, Sebastian Petrovich and Scott MacNicol.
Up front, South will once again head into the contest with the
inform strike duo of Gianni De Nittis and Nathan Caldwell. Both players
have been quite consistent with their form this season and will be keen
to find the back of the net in this crucial contest.
South Melbourne once again urges all fans to head to CB Smith
Reserve in Fawkner to support the club in this important fixture. Kick
off is at 3pm.
South Melbourne FC vs Fawkner Blues
When: Sunday, July 27th
Where: CB Smith Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm (Under 21s at 1pm)
Projected Starting line-ups
South Melbourne
Tommi Tomich (GK), Sam Poutakidis, Rama Tavsancioglu, Steven O’Dor,
Sebastian Petrovich, Scott MacNicol, Robbie Wynne, Adam Van Dommele,
Fernando De Moraes, Nathan Caldwell, Gianni De Nittis
Fawkner Blues
Michael Fiorenza (GK), Lukmon Anifaloyin, Daniel Rocco, Clifford
Tuck, Jason Principato, Metin Alibeyi, Joseph Youssef, Ricky Chillico,
Chris Greechan, Adem Zilic, Jose Vasquez
Head to head (Games since 2005)
Played : 7 (includes Fawkner-Whittlesea)
South Melbourne : 4
Fawkner Blues : 1
Draw : 2
Last Meeting
When: Sunday, April 20th 2008
Where: Bob Jane Stadium
Score: South Melbourne 6 defeated Fawkner Blues 2
Form in 2008 (last 3 games)
South Melbourne: Loss, Loss, Draw
Fawkner Blues Won, Loss, Loss