South Melbourne kicked off the 2025 season in perfect fashion, securing a 1-0 win over Oakleigh Cannons in the Community Shield on Friday night at The Home of the Matildas.
With a strong crowd in attendance, both teams played out a competitive first half, with South controlling much of the possession but unable to find the breakthrough.
However, it took less than five minutes into the second half for Nahuel Bonada to make the difference. Finishing off a brilliant counter-attack, Bonada slotted a low strike past the keeper to give South the lead – a goal that would ultimately seal the club’s second Community Shield title after first lifting the trophy in 2015.
Despite late pressure from Oakleigh, South held firm to claim the first silverware of the season and set the tone for an exciting campaign ahead.
South now turns its focus to Round 1 of the 2025 NPL Victoria season, opening the league campaign this Friday night against Port Melbourne in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
