Thursday, 28 April 2011 11:11 PM
South Melbourne FC hosts the Dandenong Thunder at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon to maintain its pursuit for top spot. South currently sit in second place on the Victorian Premier League ladder, trailing the Oakleigh Cannons by only two points. Depending on other results, a win on the weekend could see South reclaim top spot.
South goes into Sunday’s match after a comfortable win over the Yarraville Glory in the Mirabella Cup, which saw the home side trounce the minnows 14-0, which was arguably its biggest victory in recognised League and Cup competition. Five goals to Fernando De Moraes and doubles to Ljubo Milicevic, Nick Jacobs and Gianni De Nittis were some of the highlights in a match that showed a huge contrast in class between the Victorian Premier League and State League 3, even though coach Eddie Krncevic rested many of South’s senior players. It was some solace after a disastrous Round 9 which saw South crash to a 5-0 loss away at Broadmeadows Valley Park to Hume City. South finished the game down to nine men, after Jesse Krncevic and Ljubo Milicevic were both issued with red cards. Both players are suspended and will not be eligible for selection for this fixture. South will be hoping that captain Steven O’Dor will be fit to play on Sunday, with the experienced centre-half limping off injured at halftime during the Richmond match in Round 8.
Dandenong Thunder come into the match with mixed form, having picked up two wins, draw, and loss in its previous four matches. The draw away to Bentleigh Greens saw it surrender top spot. Dandenong started the season strongly, with big wins against the St Albans Saints, Richmond, and Northcote City. The visiting side have the best attack, accumulating 24 goals so far this season, and the best defence only conceding 8 goals. South will need to break down the tight and well disciplined Dandenong defence to have any chance in securing the three points. Dandenong currently sit in fourth position on the ladder and will be keen to reclaim the top spot it previously held.
In the corresponding fixture in 2010, the Dandenong Thunder snatched the three points with a late penalty converted after an alleged handball on defender Steven O’Dor to win 3-2, after South had clawed its way back from being 0-2 down. Sunday’s match kicks off at 3:00pm at John Cain Memorial Park.