Day: July 18, 2013

Thursday, 18 July 2013 10:45 PM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signings of Jonathan Munoz and Luke Hopper.

Jonathan Munoz arrives at Lakeside Stadium from Germany and will provide some much-needed defensive cover. The 31 year old has had plenty of experience in the Victorian Premier League having played with clubs such as Preston, Hume City and Green Gully. He won the Victorian Premier League Championship with Preston in 2007 and was also part of Green Gully’s back-to-back Championship winning sides in 2010 and 2011.

Luke Hopper arrives from Dandenong Thunder and will link up with his former coach Chris Taylor as well as Iqi Jawadi, Tim Mala, Nick Epifano and Bryan Bran. The English centre-forward joined Dandenong at the start of this season from Hungerford Town Football Club in the United Kingdom. He caused South plenty of problems in the League meeting between the two sides on 27 April and scored Dandenong’s second goal of the afternoon as it thumped South 3-0 that day.

South Melbourne FC welcomes Jonathan Munoz and Luke Hopper to the Club and wishes them the best for the rest of the season.

Thursday, 18 July 2013 4:16 PM

South Melbourne FC hosts the Bentleigh Greens on Sunday afternoon in what is a huge game for the home side. Bentleigh is considered by many as the team to beat in 2013 along with Northcote City and South desperately needs a win to try and keep up with the top five. South has not won a Victorian Premier League match since defeating Oakleigh 2-1 at Lakeside Stadium on 26 May.

South goes into the game on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw against Southern Stars at Lakeside Stadium last Sunday. Alan Kearney opened the scoring for the home side before two quick goals shortly before halftime put the Stars ahead. Substitute Andy Vlahos saved the day for South when he tapped home at the back post from Rhys Meredith’s cross to earn the home side a share of the points. Bentleigh goes into the game having drawn 0-0 against Dandenong Thunder at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex last Friday night. John Anastasiadis’ team had the better of the first half, however Dandenong dominated in the second half and in the end a draw was probably a fair result. Bentleigh’s only loss this season has been against South on 19 April thanks to Renco Van Eeken’s winning goal from a header on 82 minutes.

South’s defensive stocks will be significantly boosted following the signings of Bryan Bran (centre-half) and Tim Mala (right-back) during the week. In further good news, Shaun Kelly is in contention to return to the line-up this weekend following a hamstring injury sustained a few weeks ago. Mala’s arrival also gives Chris Taylor the option of pushing Dimi Hatzimouratis further up the park in a more attacking role that suits him. Youngster James Karvelis has impressed filling in for Dimi Tsiaras and Kelly at centre-half during the past few matches and will also be in contention for a place in the team on Sunday.

In the corresponding fixture played at Lakeside Stadium last season on Sunday 9 September 2012, a heartbreaking 92nd minute goal from Scott Bulloch cancelled out Andy Vlahos’ 78th minute header in a game that South had to win to keep its finals chances alive.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 3PM at Lakeside Stadium.

Last time we met

Thursday, 18 July 2013 10:49 AM

South Melbourne FC, Preston Lions FC, and Football Federation Victoria wish to advise that the State Knockout Cup quarterfinal match between both clubs is to be played on Tuesday 23rd July at Lakeside Stadium. Kick off is set for 7.30pm.

This match will be held according to a pre-purchased ticketing arrangement in that tickets will ONLY be made available for purchase by members of both clubs on pre-arranged days. Please note that no tickets will be sold on match day.

South Melbourne FC members will gain FREE entry to the quarterfinal match. Their free ticket can be collected at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday 21st July when South Melbourne take on the Bentleigh Greens. South Melbourne members will simply show their membership card to receive their free entry ticket at a tent located near the Gate 2 entry. Furthermore, South Melbourne FC members are advised that they will only be able to collect a ticket to the quarterfinal match on Sunday 21st July.

Preston Lions FC members will be able to purchase tickets at BT Connor Reserve on on allocated dates. It is recommended that Preston members contact Preston Lions FC to confirm dates to purchase their tickets.

On match day, both South Melbourne and Preston Lions members must show their entry tickets and membership cards to gain entry.