Author: George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne FC head into Tuesday night’s catch-up fixture with Dandenong Thunder knowing that anything other than a defeat will be enough to take top spot on the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria table.

South are currently level on 27 points with both the Bentleigh Greens and Heidelberg United, however Bentleigh will still have a game in hand over both South and the Bergers after Tuesday night.

Chris Taylor’s side goes into the Dandenong game with plenty of confidence, after Milos Lujic’s eleventh goal across all competitions in 2015 was enough to see off Avondale FC on Friday night. The 1-0 victory was the fourth time South have won by that scoreline in the League this season, with goals from Lujic contributing to three of those victories. In what was another outstanding defensive display, South’s clean sheet was their fourth in five matches. Despite the ongoing absence of the injured Kristian Konstantinidis, South have the second best defensive record in the League, having conceded only seven goals in eleven games.

By contrast, Dandenong have leaked 25 goals so far this campaign and sit only two points clear of the relegation zone (in twelfth position) after a 1-1 draw with North Geelong on the weekend. Despite their defensive issues, the Thunder have had no trouble finding the net, having put six past Northcote a few weeks back. Seventeen year old Yusuf Ahmed has been a shining light for Dandenong, scoring six goals in an outstanding debut season in the PS4 NPL Victoria. Experienced forward Veton Kocari also knows how to find the back of the net, with the duo shaping as the men South’s back four will need to be most wary of on Tuesday night.

The starting line-up Chris Taylor chooses is likely to depend on the fitness of several players following Friday night’s victory. It is possible that there could be several changes to the team that took the field against Avondale, given the short three day break between fixtures. David Stirton may possibly return to the squad for the first time since injuring himself against Hume City on Saturday 18 April.

Since 2009, South have triumphed against Dandenong Thunder on five occasions, drawn four times and suffered three defeats. Last season South won all three contests (two League and one Dockerty Cup meeting), including a memorable 5-0 victory at Lakeside on Sunday 1 June 2014.

The match kicks off at 8:30pm at Lakeside Stadium. Those unable to make the match can follow proceedings on the club’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, using the handles #SMFC and #PS4NPLVIC.

South Melbourne FC is in mourning after learning of the recent passing of founding member and club volunteer Fotios Antipas.

Mr. Antipas played for Hellenic in the 1950s, with history showing that Hellenic merged with Yarra Park and South Melbourne United to form South Melbourne Hellas in 1959.

When his playing days were complete, Mr Antipas volunteered at South Melbourne FC and was a very proud supporter and life member.

SMFC President Leo Athanasakis added that “on behalf of everyone at SMFC, we extend our condolences to the Antipas family on the recent passing of Mr Fotios Antipas, a man who has been involved at our great Club ever since it was formed over 55 years ago. We have also lost a link to our history as well, with Mr Antipas being involved with one of the three pre-merger clubs in Hellenic. We mourn his loss.”

Our thoughts are with his family at this very tough time.

Following the tough 1-0 win against Pascoe Vale last Friday night, a few members of the South Melbourne FC Under 20s squad joined the senior side for training on Monday night.

Seventeen-year-old Nashir Hussainy was one of those players and he looked at home with the senior playing group, joking and laughing with current Theo Marmaras medalist and star midfielder Iqi Jawadi. As training got underway, Jawadi looked over at Hussainy and nodded his head before shouting “good luck bro” to the youngster. 



Remarkably, Jawadi and Hussainy have faced similar challenges and obstacles in order to be on the park together. Both were born in the 1990s in the heart of war-torn Afghanistan, a world that most Australians could not imagine. Along with their families, the boys faced life in a new Afghanistan under political and military turmoil.

The Jawadi family was the first to seek refuge in 1995, when Iqi’s mother forced her children to flee to neighboring India.

Speaking to smfc.com.au Iqi recounted his family’s journey. “It was tough… although I was only four months old when we fled Afghanistan, I couldn’t begin to imagine how hard it would have been for my mother to make that decision to move. We stayed in India for seven very tough years and then made another huge decision to come to this country and to a new life, which I am very thankful for.”

Nashir’s journey was not too dissimilar, however the Hussainy family and Nashir himself would endure five extremely tough years in Afganistan before also finding a way to a new life in Melbourne. “It was really hard for my family to come across. In Kabul, we had to leave behind our old lives and many family members as we sought a new life and new opportunities. I loved to hang out with my cousins and kick a football around back home but it was just too unsafe and we didn’t know what was going to happen next over there. The decision to move was the right choice.”

Jawadi initially did not play the world game but soon developed an appetite for it. “I didn’t really know what soccer (football) was at first but when my brother brought a ball home and we started kicking it around, I noticed that I was pretty good at playing. As I grew older and I played more, I got better and better.”

Jawadi was eventually identified by current SMFC Senior Coach Chris Taylor, who at the time was coaching the Under 15 Victorian State Team. “Before I knew it, I was playing for the NTC and the State Team under Chris Taylor,” he added with a smile on his face. “I have played under Chris ever since, firstly at Dandenong Thunder and now at South Melbourne. I am thankful for the opportunity and guidance that he has given me in my life so far. He’s an amazing guy and I don’t think enough people see this.”

Hussainy started his football journey in Melbourne joining the South Melbourne Youth program four years ago. In 2015, under the watchful eye of Under 20s coach and mentor Sasa Kolman, Hussainy has taken his game to another level. He has scored six goals in the Under 20s and become one of the key players in the team.

Chris Taylor has recognised Hussainy’s achievements and hard work so far this season by inviting him to join the senior squad at training. The hope is that Nashir will further enhance his game by training with the current PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Champions and break into the first team squad at some stage during the second half of the season.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Taylor was very proud seeing both Jawadi and Hussainy training together at Lakeside Stadium. “Sometimes we get too caught up in the game to actually appreciate the stories behind some of the players. Look at these two guys that have overcome adversity and are able to enjoy themselves on the pitch; to laugh, smile and enjoy the friendships made in the game. I’ve always been a coach that gives younger players a chance. I also like to assist these guys through life, so I’m elated to see both Iqi and Nashir on the pitch training and playing for a club that encourages such things to happen.”

The common theme from both players when speaking with them was the love and appreciation that they had for their families and for their decision to bring them to Australia.

When asked about their future aims and goals, both said that they wanted to play football professionally, with the main reason being to support their families and continue to make them proud.

South Melbourne FC is looking forward to the day when both Iqi Jawadi and Nashir Hussainy represent the Club in a senior match and potentially their country at some point.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that Peter Saisanas has been randomly selected to represent the Club as part of the Playstation 4 Fox Fans League Tournament next week.

Peter will represent South Melbourne FC alongside all other member federations, which includes
playing against former NSL rival clubs Sydney Olympic and West Adelaide Hellas here in Melbourne.

Peter has been part of SMFC for over a decade. The 20-Year-Old commenced his Youth career for the Club in the Under 7s and played all the way until Under 15s before giving the game away. During that time his family have always been members of the Club and continue to attend SMFC matches on a weekly basis, including travelling interstate in 2014 to watch the Playstation 4 NPL Finals Series Match against South Hobart.

For all those who have registered your interest along with Peter, we will host a South Melbourne Playstation FIFA 15
Tournament at a later date, with many other prizes available for those who enter.

Congratulations and good luck Peter, do us proud!

South Melbourne FC is seeking match day volunteers to play an active role for the new 2015 National Premier League Victoria season. The Club’s home matches are played at the redeveloped Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park.

Historically, South Melbourne FC is Australia’s most successful football club, having being crowned National Champions on four occasions, as well as Victorian Champions on nine separate occasions. Having clinched the Oceania Club Championship in 1999, South Melbourne participated in the FIFA Club World Championships against football heavyweights such as Manchester United. Given the Club’s football legacy of success, South Melbourne was awarded with the Oceania Club of the Century award in 2010, joining the likes of Real Madrid in winning the award.

Currently, the club competes in the Victoria’s PS4 National Premier League Victoria competition and have entered the 2015 season as reigning champions after winning the inaugural title in 2014.

In preparation for the new season ahead, South Melbourne FC is seeking to fill a number of vacant roles, including match day operations and logistics, as well as other roles based around our membership and merchandise departments. However, should you feel that your skill set can benefit the club in another area, then we are also happy to hear from you.

Manager type level volunteers are also required, with retail experience highly regarded.

Do not miss your chance to be involved in a dynamic football club environment. To submit your expression of interest, simply email your CV and Cover Letter to George Kouroumalis at multimedia@smfc.com.au.

South Melbourne FC advises that the FFA Cup Fifth Round clash against North Sunshine Eagles at Lakeside Stadium this Wednesday night will now be a ticketed event.

Tickets will be available only at the gate and cannot be purchased online.

The ticket prices will be as follows:
$10 adult
$7 concession

All 2015 South Melbourne members (except online members) have free entry to the match provided they show their membership at the gate upon entry.

South Melbourne FC apologises for the late change of notice and looks forward to seeing everyone at the game on Wednesday.

South Melbourne FC wishes to advise some changes to its 2015 fixture list.

The Westfield FFA Cup Round 5 Qualifying match against North Sunshine Eagles will be played at Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday 15 April, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30pm. The match will be FREE entry for all 2015 members.

The Round 3 PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria match against Dandenong Thunder – initially scheduled to be played on Wednesday 15 April – will now be played on Tuesday 12 May at Lakeside Stadium. The Under 20s will kick off at 6:15pm and the Seniors will kick-off at 8:30pm.

FFA Cup Round 5

South Melbourne FC vs North Sunshine Eagles
Wednesday 15 April
Kick off 7.30pm
Lakeside Stadium

PS4 NPL Fixture Change

South Melbourne FC vs Dandenong Thunder
Tuesday 12 May
Senior Kick off – 8.30pm (Under 20 Kick-off 6.15pm)
Lakeside Stadium

South Melbourne FC would like to congratulate former Junior Player Apostolos (Paul) Giannou on being selected for the Greek National Team for the upcoming UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier against Hungary this weekend.

Giannou began his football journey at South as an 11 year old, before being called up by then Australian Under 17 Coach Ange Postecoglou as part of the AFC U-17 World Championship qualifying tournament in 2006. In this tournament he would play along side fellow South junior and current South Melbourne  player Milos Lujic.

Currently Giannou plays for Panionios in the Greek Super League, having scored on 9 occasions and catching the eye of new Greek coach Sergio Markarián along the way.

We wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him on the park

In participating, the campers will each receive a Sports Camp Australia Nike Football T-Shirt, a camp certificate, daily evaluation tips, prizes and a South Melbourne membership that will give you access to all of our home matches in 2015.

Click here to register now 

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce that SMFC TV will be screened on Foxtel’s Aurora Channel (Channel 183) throughout the 2015 season.

Commencing tonight (26 February), SMFC TV will be screened every Thursday evening at 8PM and is proudly sponsored by both Bob Jane T-Marts and the Bank of Sydney.

Tonight’s show will feature highlights of last Thursday night’s NPL Victoria opening round victory against the Oakleigh Cannons at Lakeside Stadium. Also featured on the show will be post-match interviews with players and Head Coach Chris Taylor in what was a great night for the Club in front of 3523 fans.

Tonight’s episode also profiles all of the new players in the 2015 Senior Squad, allowing all South Melbourne fans the chance to get to know them.

If you have any feedback and suggestions, please email the media team on multimedia@smfc.com.au.