Wednesday, 6 May 2009 1:34 PM
By John Kyrou
Fernando de Moraes looks set to make his 100th league appearance for South Melbourne FC in Sunday’s match against Altona at Bob Jane Stadium.
Fernando made his debut in the 1-0 loss away at Green Gully in round 9 of the 2005 VPL season. It took him seven matches to score his first goal for the club, but the finish was definitely worth the wait. His 87th minute free kick against the Frankston Pines at BJS in round 16 sealed a 3-1 win for the home side. Fernando went on to score two more goals for the season as South made the Preliminary Final. Unfortunately, his penalty miss against Heidelberg at the Olympic Village came at a large cost, as the Bergers held on to win the match 1-0 and deny South a Grand Final spot.
Fernando’s 2006 season was what elevated him to superstar status at Lakeside. He took all before him in South’s championship-winning season and the culmination was his turn and cross from the left that enabled Gianni de Nittis to head home the winning goal in the Grand Final against Altona. Fernando’s outstanding Grand Final performance was recognised as he was awarded the Jimmy Rooney Medal for Best Afield. The icing on the cake was a clean sweep of all the individual club awards, as Fernando won both the SMFC and Clarendon Corner Most Valuable Player of the Year awards, as well as finishing as the club’s top goal scorer for the season with 12 goals.
While the Futsalroo’s form in recent seasons has not been as outstanding as his form of 2006, he has still proved to be a valuable and key member of the side. Despite struggling in 2008, Fernando still finished as the club’s leading goal scorer (9 goals). Three goals this season sees him sitting in equal second spot (with Vaughan Coveny) in the club’s goal scoring, with only Goran Zoric ahead (6 goals).
South Melbourne FC congratulates Fernando de Moraes on his milestone and wishes him all the best for Sunday’s game and for the rest of the season. Supporters are encouraged to attend Sunday’s match to help Fernando and the team consolidate second spot on the league ladder.
Fernando de Moraes – SMFC Statistics:
DOB 21st January 1980
Debut v Green Gully (round 9, 2005 @ Green Gully Reserve, 1-0 loss)
2006 SMFC Most Valuable Player of the Year
2006 Clarendon Corner Most Valuable Player of the Year
Member of the 2006 VPL championship team
2006 SMFC Leading Goal Scorer (12 goals)
2006 Jimmy Rooney Medal (Man of the match in Grand Final)
Member of the 2007 Hellenic Cup championship team
50th match v Altona Magic (round 8, 2007 @ BJS, 1-3 loss)
2008 SMFC Leading Goal Scorer (9 goals)
Member of the 2009 Hellenic Cup championship team
Season Breakdown:
2005 – 17 games (14 starts, 3 subs), 3 goals
2006 – 26 games (25 starts, 1 sub), 12 goals
2007 – 22 games (18 starts, 4 subs), 4 goals
2008 – 25 games (23 starts, 2 subs), 9 goals
2009 – 9 games (8 starts, 1 sub), 3 goals
Total – 99 games (88 starts, 11 subs), 31 goals