Author: George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce that Giordano Marafioti has been selected for the Young Socceroos training camp in Perth this week. SMFC prides itself on it’s Youth Development Program and the efforts of its football department led by Youth Director Andrew Mesourouni and Technical Director Strati Xynas.

Over the past few seasons, Marafioti has worked hard and under the tutelage of his Youth Coach Sasa Kolman and Head Coach Chris Taylor have achieved great results. Giordano so far this season has scored 22 goals and has also made his senior debut.

South Melbourne FC are elated to see Marafioti being selected for the Young Socceroos and look forward to seeing him develop further at SMFC over the next few seasons.

Over a number of years now SMFC Youth Development program is gaining great admiration within the football community of Australia and overseas. In fact SMFC prides itself as the leader in Youth Football.

Speaking to smfc.com.au SMFC Youth Director was pleased with Marafioti’s progress. “Giordano is a talented young footballer who is starting to make his mark at youth level in Australian football landscape. The rise of Giordano is testament to the hard work of all our Youth coaching staff. We look forward to seeing Giordano playing at the highest level and wish him the very best”

Congratulations Gio!

South Melbourne FC is saddened to learn of the recent passing of club members, George Roufos and Efthimios Babatsikos.

In a mark of respect to both, SMFC Players and Officials wore black arm bands during Wednesday night’s defeat at home to Avondale FC. The crowd also observed a minute’s silence for them.

George Roufos is also the father of current SMFC Principal Partner Tass Roufos.

SMFC President, Leo Athanasakis, offered condolences on behalf of the club. “I am saddened to learn of the passing of these wonderful men. I send our club’s condolences and best wishes to the family and friends of these individuals, including Tass Roufos, who continues to be a very valued member of our club through his Corporate Partnership and work with the club’s exclusive areas.”

South Melbourne FC confirms the following entry details for our Westfield FFA Cup Home Clash against the Edgeworth Eagles on Wednesday.

PURCHASING TICKETS

Those wishing to purchase General Admission Tickets at the Gate can do so from the Ticket outlets outside Gate 2, which will open from 6.30pm. Those already with General Admission tickets can also enter through Gate 2.

Ticket Prices are as below:
Adults : $15
Concession : $10
Children Under 16 : Free

SMFC MEMBERS

Those with the following accreditation passes can gain access from the Lakeside Futsal Entry from 7pm.
– Any valid FFA Cup accreditation pass, including media.
– All 2017 SMFC Members and Season Pass Holders
– All 2017 SMFC Accreditation Passes (only valid for Game Entry)
– SMFC Life Members
– SMFC Hall of Fame Members

Food and drink will be available for purchase in the 1959 Bar and Grill (SMFC social club) from 7pm.

South Melbourne FC climbed to top spot of the NPL Victoria table, following a hard earned 2-1 derby win over Melbourne Knights on Friday night.

South started the brighter of the two sides, with numerous chances being wasted in a dominant 25-minute spell at the start of the half.

It wasn’t until Marcus Schroen’s speculative long rang effort in the 28th minute that saw South hit the lead. Schroen, who has found his goal scoring touch over the past few weeks, hit a left footed drive from 30 yards and despite taking a slight deflection, found itself into the top corner.

This would be enough to see South head into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead.

To their credit, the desperate Knights came out for the second half seeking an equaliser to try and claw themselves out of the relegation play off spot. They had numerous opportunities through Harris and Cahill to open the scoring, with the latter striking the bar.

The more bizarre moment of the second half came fifteen minutes from time, when South were awarded a penalty for Ben Surry grabbing the ball in the area. Prior to this, Surrey, along with the rather loud Knights fans claimed that Milos Lujic had handballed the ball prior to this. South fans would also argue, Milos may have been pushed prior to handling the ball. Regardless, after consulting with the fourth official, the referee reversed the decision, with no penalty awarded.

South however would ice the game minutes later when a brilliant Nick Epifano run, would culminate in a sublime cross into the path of Lujic. As with most derby matches of late, Lujic would score against the Knights to give the club three points.

With Heidelberg being defeated by Hume, the win would also see South reach top spot for the second time this season.

South will now travel to the tricky ABD Stadium in Broadmeadows for a tough away clash on Saturday night against Hume City. Kick-off is at 7pm.

Luvarc Player of the Match – Nick Epifano

South Melbourne FC maintained it’s lead at the top of the NPL Women’s Table with a comprehensive 4-0 rout of Heidelberg United on Saturday.

South started the match in its traditional attacking form, bombarding the Heidelberg goal for the opening thirty minutes of play. Errant finishing and some superb keeping by Heidelberg’s Katie Neville would somehow see both teams enter the half without a score.

With the pressure of playing at home, South stormed out of the blocks in the second half, with it only taking five minutes to find the opener. A wonderful ball by the consistent Natalie Martineau would provide a wonderful opportunity for Lisa De Vanna. She buried her header home to give South the lead.

Six minutes later De Vanna would double our advantage, after being fouled in the area following a trademark run. She then stepped up to convert.

South were in total control by this point and were three ahead by the 60th minute, when Melina Ayres found herself in acres of space before slotting the ball past the hapless keeper.

The home side would complete their 4-0 rout in the 78th minute, when Alexandra Gummer made a storming run past the stagnant Heidelberg defence to find herself one on one with the keeper. The defender enjoyed her time in midfield by finishing calmly.

South host second placed Calder United in a crucial match at Lakeside Stadium. Kick off is at 3pm.

PDG Player of the Game – Lisa De Vanna

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce signing of Ella Mastrantonio from W-League outfit Perth Glory.

The former Westfield Matildas player, has joined South following six seasons at Westfield W-League level, featuring for both Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory W-League during that time. She’s also played for the Matilda’s on six occasions, making her debut in 2008 against Japan in Ho Chi Min City as part of the Asian Cup Finals.

Further outings following in October at the ASEAN Football Federation Championships in Vietnam where Australia lifted the trophy with successive wins over Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar and the host nation.
The midfielder adds another dynamic option to the team, as well as someone with big game experience to add to the midfield.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Women’s Football Director Gabrielle Giuliano was pleased with the signing. “We’ve added another leader to our playing group, with both international and national league experience. With an important stretch until the end of the season and with the player deadline approaching, we were pleased to acquire such a great talent.”

We wish her all the best in 2017.

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce the mid-season signing of former Adelaide United utility Lucy Adamopoulos for the remainder of the 2017 season.

24-Year-Old Adamopoulos has also crossed over from sister-club West Adelaide Hellas, where her flexibility and leadership on the park was a standout feature in her game. A bubbly personality, Adamopoulos is someone who will immediately add additional character to our squad.

Above all this, her composure on the ball has given Adamopoulos the ability to play in a range of positions, either across the back four or through many advanced positions through midfield and up front. She also provides another strong choice at both corners and free kicks.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Women’s Football Director Gabrielle Giuliano was pleased with the acquisition. “Lucy is a great fit for our club, both on and off the park. Her leadership qualities attained at W-League level blended with her ability with the ball at her feet gives us another versatile acquisition as we push towards the second half of the season”

We welcome Lucy to SMFC and wish her all the best for her time at the club.