Author: Effie Caloutas

South Melbourne take on defending A-League Champions Sydney FC in a highly-anticipated semi-final encounter at Lakeside Stadium for a chance to  be the first non-A League side to head into the FFA Cup final.

South Melbourne

After a disappointing loss to the Bentleigh Greens in the semi-final, the boys were able to turn it around against their quarter-final opponents Gold Coast City away from home with an emphatic 6-0 victory over the hosts’ last month. Now coming up against defending A-League Champions Sydney FC at Lakeside Stadium, the 2016 Victorian NPL Champions will be striving to prove that they belong in the A-League when the two teams meet at Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday night.

Sydney FC

Coming from a very impressive 8-0 victory over Darwin Rovers courtesy of four goals to Bobo, last year’s FFA Cup runner’s up were able to showcase themselves why they are the real deal in the quarter finals after defeating defending champions  Melbourne City 2-0 at Leichhardt Oval. Now coming up against the 2016 Victorian NPL Champions and following a narrow 1-0 victory over Melbourne Victory in Round 1 of the 2017/2018 A-League season, Sydney FC will be striving to showcase why they are the real contenders to take out this year’s FFA Cup away from home.

Head to Head

This is the first meeting between the two sides.

South Melbourne secured the championship after a thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout against Geelong Galaxy United at ABD Stadium on Sunday.

In what was a packed ABD Stadium, South Ambassador Lisa De Vanna was able to open the scoring for South after firing one into the back of the net finding in the 19^th minute.

The girls were able to find their second through an unstoppable header by Natalie Martineau as the girls held a 2-0 lead at half-time.

In an entertaining second half, Geelong Galaxy United were able to peg one back through a Spiranovic penalty in the 59^th minute.

Geelong Galaxy United were able to find the equaliser through a thunderous strike by White into the back post as the scores were level at 2-2 in the 72^nd minute.

However despite two goals in quick succession by Galaxy United, south were unlucky not to score their third for the match after Greiser’s header hit the crossbar in the 80^th minute.

Caitlin Greiser was looming dangerous up front for South after being denied again by the crossbar in the 83^rd minute.

The girls were playing attacking football and were unlucky not to get their third after De Vanna’s shot hit the upright in the 87^th minute as the games went into extra-time with the scores level at 2-2.

The girls started the better of the two teams in extra-time with Greiser finally able to find the breakthrough after finding the net at the back post in the 93^rd minute as the girls held a 3-2 lead.

Galaxy United didn’t   go down without a fight after finding the back of the   net courtesy of Al-Huneidi in the 108^th minute.

Greiser had a chance to bury the match for South, but her shot was well saved by the Galaxy keeper in the 113rd minute.

Galaxy United had their chance to score the winner after a long range shot almost found its way in the 115^th minute.

Plyer of the Game Tiffany Eliadis had a chance to score for South, but her shot was cleared off the line in the 19^th minute as the match went into penalties.

In what was a nailbiting penalty shootout at ABD Stadium, Greiser was able to convert the penalty as the girls secured a thrilling victory to cap off a stellar WNPL season.

South Melbourne meet Gold Coast for the second time at CBUS Stadium, with both teams striving to make it into the Semi-Finals for the first time in their club’s history.

South Melbourne (LLWLL)

After finishing in second position on the ladder, South Melbourne were unable to make their third consecutive GF appearance after losing in penalties to the Bentleigh Green’s in this year’s Semi Final. With their minds now focused on their FFA Cup Quarter Final clash against the Gold Coast after despatching Sorrento 4-1 in the Round of 32, the 2016 NPL Victorian Champions will be looking for revenge following their loss to the Gold Coast in a thrilling penalty shootout from two years ago when the two teams meet at CBUS Stadium on Wednesday night. 

Gold Coast (WWLLL)

The Gold Coast had an excellent season in the Queensland NPL competition finishing second on the ladder despite three consecutive losses in the past three matches. After a 3-1 win over the Western Knights in the FFA Cup Round of 32, the hosts’ will be striving to repeat their feat against the NPL Victorian Champions  two years ago in the FFA Round of 32 when they meet at the same venue on Wednesday night for a place in the FFA Cup Semi Final.

Head-to-Head

The last time these two sides met was in the FFA Cup Round of 32 in 2015 where Gold Coast City defeated South Melbourne 8-7 in a penalty shootout at CBUS Stadium.

 South Melbourne secured a 4-2 victory over Calder United at Lakeside Stadium in the Semi-Final on Saturday afternoon to move into this year’s NPLW Grand Final.

Calder United started brightly in the first half, with Cindy Lay chipping the keeper from the edge of the area to open up the scoring 67 seconds into the match.

The visitors were unlucky not to get a second after hitting the crossbar then the upright in the 7^th minute as the girls trailed 1-0 at half time.

The ladder leaders started the better of the two teams in the second half, with 21 year old superstar Tiffany Eliadis tucking away Alexandra Gummer’s cross in the 61^st minute.

Just three minutes later, talented youngster Melina Ayres scored South’s second to extend the home side’s lead to 2-1 in the 64^th minute.

Calder United were unable to get one back after a goal clearance rebounded for an open net goal in the 72^nd minute as the match went into extra time.

Two minutes into extra time, Ayres with a delightful turn into pass Natalie Martineau pushed it into the back of the net as South held a 3-2 lead in extra time.

With a 3-2 lead in extra time courtesy of Natalie Martineau, Ayres was able to score her 40^th goal for the season with a superb run and a lucky finish as the girls finished with a 4-2 victory over Calder United at Lakeside Stadium.

SMFC take on Calder United in the Qualifying Final at Lakeside Stadium with South Melbourne striving to continue on their winning ways after coming from a 2-0 victory over Geelong Galaxy, while Calder is coming from a narrow 2-1 victory over Alamein last weekend.

South Melbourne (WWWWW)

Coming from an impressive 9-0 victory over Senior NTC, the girls were able to secure a 2-0 win over Geelong Galaxy courtesy of two first half goals to Ayres in the fifth minute and De Vanna in the 35^th minute. Now securing the minor premiership after their important victory over Geelong Galaxy, the girls will be looking to secure a Grand Final spot when they meet Calder United for their second consecutive match at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Calder United (LWWWW)

Calder United have had an impressive five weeks with four wins in the past five matches. Coming from an impressive 7-0 victory over Bayside United,  Calder United secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Alamein FC courtesy of a second half goal to Binning in the 75^th minute. The visitors will be striving to cause a stir at Lakeside Stadium with an important win in the Qualifying Final on Saturday afternoon.

Head to Head

The last time these two teams met was in Round 21 where South Melbourne and Calder United secured a 2-2 draw at Lakeside Stadium.

South Melbourne have won two of the past three matches against Calder United.

South Melbourne meet Geelong Galaxy for the third time season with South striving to secure the minor premiership after coming on back of an impressive 9-0 victory over Senior NTC, while Geelong Galaxy is coming from a 2-1 loss to the Bulleen Lions.

South Melbourne (WWWWW)

The girls have had an impressive five weeks with five wins in a row, including an impressive 9-0 victory over Senior NTC. Two points clear of Calder United on top of the table, he girls will be striving for the minor premiership when they meet Geelong Galaxy at home on Saturday afternoon.

Geelong Galaxy United (WWWLL)

Geelong Galaxy have had a solid five weeks with three wins in their past five matches. Coming from a narrow 2-1 victory over Southern United, Geelong Galaxy United suffered another 2-1 defeat to the hands of FC Bulleen courtesy of a second half goal to Coppock in the 87^th minute. With one game to go in the WNPL competition, the visitors will be striving to finish the season off strongly with a victory against South Melbourne away from home on Saturday afternoon.

Head to Head

The last time these two sides met was in Round 18 where South Melbourne drew 3-3 with Geelong Galaxy United at Banyul Warri Reserve.

There have been two draws between the two sides in the past two matches.

South Melbourne sit two points clear of Calder United on top of the table after an impressive 9-0 victory over Senior NTC  at Knox on Saturday afternoon.

In what was raining goals at Knox, the girls were able to find their first through Jamie Pollock who was able to find the back of the net in the 29^th minute.

South attacking midfielder Tiffany Eliadis was able to get the visitors second with a header from a corner kick in the 43^rd minute as the girls held a 2-0 lead at half time.

The girls continued to cause damage on the scoreboard in the second half with a third from Lisa De Vanna who whipped the ball from the right flank in the 52^nd minute.

Eliadis was able to find the back of the net to score her second for the afternoon after a rebound save by the keeper in the 59^th minute.

In what continued to be a disastrous day for Senior NTC, an own goal from the home side extended South’s lead to 5-0 in the 66^th minute.

South continued to fire up front, with a Nicolaci penalty seeing South with a 6-0 lead in the 73^rd minute.

South Melbourne leading goal scorer Melina Ayres continued to hurt Senior NTC with a strike from 25 yard blasting into the back of the net in the 86^th minute.

A minute later and Ayres had a double after a header into the back post saw the girls with a 8-0 lead.

Alexandra Gummer capped off an excellent day for the girls with an overhead kick into the back of the net as the girls secured an impressive 9-0 victory at Knox.

The girls will now strive to finish the season on a high and win the minor premiership when they meet Geelong Galaxy United at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

South Melbourne meet the Bentleigh Greens in the semi-finals with South Melbourne coming from a one week’s rest after finishing in second position on the ladder, while the Bentleigh Greens are coming from  an impressive 4-0 victory over Green Gully in the elimination final.

South Melbourne (WLLWL)

Coming from a disappointing 3-2 loss to Kingston City courtesy of a second half goal to Iaconis in the 69th minute, the boys had a one week’s rest after securing second position on the ladder.   Now coming up against a side they defeated three weeks ago, the boys will be striving to secure an important victory  against the Bentleigh Greens at Lakeside Stadium to book a place in their third consecutive grand final on Friday night.

Bentleigh Greens (WLLDW)

Coming from a 0-0 draw against the Oakleigh Cannons, Bentleigh were able to secure an impressive 4-0 victory over Green Gully in the elimination final.  Coming up now against the Defending Champions, they will be striving to put their 2-0 loss against South Melbourne in Round 25 behind them when they meet the hosts’ for the second consecutive time at Lakeside Stadium this Friday night.

Head-to-Head 

The last time these two sides met was in Round 25 where South Melbourne secured a 2-0 victory over the Bentleigh Greens at Lakeside Stadium.

South Melbourne have won three of the past five matches against the Bentleigh Greens.

South Melbourne urges all fans to come and support the boys in their semi-final clash against the Bentleigh Greens at Lakeside Stadium on Friday night.

Match Details

South Melbourne vs Bentleigh Greens
1 September @ Lakeside Stadium
Kick off 7.30 pm

SMFC take on Sorrento in the FFA Cup Round of 16 at Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday night, with both sides striving to make it into the FFA Cup Quarter-Finals for the first time in their history.

South Melbourne (WLLWL)

Coming from a 2-0 victory over the Bentleigh Greens, the boys were unable to challenge Heidelberg United for the Premiers plate with the defending champions going down 3-2 to Kingston City in the last round of the home and away season last weekend. With a thrilling 1-0 victory against the Edgeworth Eagles leading them into the Round of 16 courtesy of a Milos Lujic winner in the 94^th minute, the boys will be striving to put the disappointing loss behind them when they meet Sorrento at Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday night.

Sorrento (WWWL)

Sorrento is in good form at the moment with four wins in the past five matches despite losing 2-1 to the Stirling Lions last weekend. With a thrilling 1-0 victory against last year’s semi-finalists Canberra Olympic in the FFA Cup Round of 32 courtesy of a Sean Canham winner in the 7^th minute, the visitors will be striving to cause another upset when they head east to take on South Melbourne.

Head-to-Head

This is the first meeting between the two sides.

South urges all fans to come and support the boys in their huge Round of 16 clash against Sorrento at Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday night.

Match Details

South Melbourne vs Sorrento

23 August at Lakeside Stadium

Kick off 7:30pm