Author: Skip Fulton

By Skip Fulton

A goal to Timothy Liokos on the back of a defensive error put South Melbourne U16s in front however missed opportunities meant the team was unable to get the win after Box Hill equalised.

A blustery Albert Park was the venue for the round thirteen match-up between South Melbourne FC and Box Hill United in the NPL U16 East league.

South started the match with positive attacking play through the midfield and had the majority of possession as Box Hill took some time to get into the game.

An attacking move down the right side bought Box Hill goal keeper off his line rushing out to the edge of the area. An error meant the ball wasn’t gathered allowing South to keep possession. A pass was centred to the top of the box where Timothy Liokos was on the end of it. A right foot strike easily found the back of the net in the twenty eighth minute.

The encouraging start and goal was quickly countered by an improving Box Hill and they equalised just three minutes later.

South set about trying to re-establish the lead and in the remainder of the half controlled possession and several times play went into the final third without reward.

Seven minutes after the break South were presented with another opportunity to hit the front. A careless Box Hill challenge inside the area resulted in the whistle going and the referee pointing to the spot. Unfortunately the strike went over the crossbar for a goal kick.

Both teams continued to push for the winning goal until the final whistle. South goal keeper Nicholas Moraitis made a number of great saves include one from a superb Box Hill strike which was just tipped over the crossbar.

The final result was a 1-1 draw leaving the team in fourth on the ladder three points behind Heidelberg United.

South Melbourne U16s coach Davide Bertamini spoke to smfc.com.au after the match saying “the first half was very convincing after a few weeks where we struggled a bit with playing good football. We missed a penalty and a few chances in the second half, that’s football its part of the game.”

Looking at the positives that could be taken away from the game, Bertamini indicated his highlights were “the playing from the back in the first twenty minutes and the organisation that we applied today was very good.”

The ongoing process of South Melbourne developing its teams and players continues all the way through the season right to the end. Bertamini has a number of areas of to consider but he was very clear on one. “Well definitely we missed too many chances. Not just the penalty, it is only one small episode in a game but the fact we create every game seven, eight, ten chances and we convert only a few is the aspect we should work on. We got away with one point today it’s a bit disappointing.”

Match photos: http://on.fb.me/1mLfLbL

Other SMFC Youth Results
U12s lost 0:2
U13s lost 0:4
U14s won 3:0, goals: Tristan Meaker x2 and Matthew Loutrakis
U15s drew 1:1, goal: George Kalas
U18s lost1:3, goal: Nasir Hussaini

South Melbourne FC Youth teams play in the penultimate round of the season this weekend against Dandenong City away at the Frank Holohan Soccer Complex in Dandenong.

By Skip Fulton

A South Melbourne FC own goal in the eighty fifth minute gave Green Gully the win in NPL U20s this Sunday at Albert Park. The move from Lakeside and good conditions provided an opportunity for the team to use their strong possession and passing game but were unable to capitalise beyond Eric Hauser’s early goal.

The starting lineup had two changes to that which drew 1-1 with Port Melbourne last week at Lakeside Stadium. Alexandru Sporea and last weeks goal scorer Stefan Zinni made way for Juan Igic and Massimo Pesce.

South got off to a flyer in the early minutes with Ryan Barbare setting up attacking play in the midfield. Barbare’s through ball released Joshua Markovski who made a blistering run down the right wing only to find himself with a single defender to beat but running out of room. Somehow Markovski found space just a few feet from the byline and cut the ball back to the top of the area. Eric Hauser pounced and a superb strike made it past three defenders and the goal keeper into the back of the net.

Green Gully lifted the tempo and started to push forward aggressively in attack. They found their opportunity through an unfortunate outlet when in the twenty ninth minute South Melbourne were adjudged to have handled the ball in the area sending the green team to the penalty spot. Daniel Trajkocki stepped up to the mark and in confident and clinical fashion put a powerful strike into the bottom right corner.

Play oscillated through the midfield for the balance of the half with sporadic attacks including a solid move by Andy Kecojevic down the left. A minute before the break Dion Paola took the liberty of getting the ball past the goal keeper into the net only for his celebration to be met by a raised offside flag.

Sammy Kagioglou came on at half-time and Green Gully also made a substitute with a change in goal keeper. Neither team were able to gain the ascendency in the second half. A number of opportunities presented at both ends of the pitch as the pace slowed and space became more available. The addition of Angel Taravillo and Jordan Moncrieff added some fresh legs for the home team but wayward finishing up front and desperate defending from Green Gully prevented the winning goal.

Disappointingly for the team they were to score in the eighty fifth minute however it was at the wrong end of the field. The own goal five minutes from time would be all that separated the two teams in a match which would be otherwise be characterised as being a well-structured effort with solid team work albeit unable to put away the attacking moves.

After the match, Joshua Markovski spoke to smfc.com.au reflecting on the match, “we played well, but we just couldn’t convert. We were just unlucky with the two goals we copped.”

Looking at the positives from the match, “we definitely played well as a team, especially being on this field we train on every day. We were pressing more, not holding back as much. Just unlucky with the result.” Markovski was very clear on the focus for the weeks ahead “personally goals, but definitely wins for the team”.

South Melbourne sit in tenth on the ladder in a precarious position surrounded by four other teams with just two points separating them all. The coming rounds present opportunities to consolidate on field teamwork and look to convert the attacking style of play South Melbourne is renowned for into goals.

Next week the team is in action again at Albert Park when they welcome Hume City who defeated Dandenong Thunder 3-2 at home this round.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-2 GREEN GULLY (HT: 1-1)

Goal Scorers:
1-0 Eric Hauser (7’), 1-1 Daniel Trajkocki (30’ pen), 1-2 Ioannis Avramidis (85’ OG)

South Melbourne FC:
Jason Giccominato (GK), Ryan Babare, Andy Kecojevic, Peter Constantinou, Timothy Kakoliris (Jordan Moncrieff 77’), Dion Paola, Ioannis Avramidis, Eric Hauser, Juan Igic (Angel Taravilio 69’), Massimo Pesce (Sam Kagioglou 45’), Joshua Markovski

Green Gully:
Akim Abdul (GK) (Dilen Ibrahuim 45’), Kieren Farrugia, Ari Battistella, Jake Kremers, Zac Balabouron (Peter Younan 75’), Daniel Trajkoski, Cody Nagy (Oliver Goodwin 81’), Oman Abdigafar (Muhammed Uzumcu 72’), Peter Modafferi, Baran Kockaya (Anthony Marafioti 56’), Habib Fleifec

SMFC Man of the Match: Juan Igic
Venue: Albert Park
Date: Sunday 6 June 2014

By Skip Fulton

South Melbourne FC U20s walked away with a point following a 1-1 draw with Port Melbourne Sharks at a wet Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. A second-half goal to Stefan Zinni was the equaliser in a match where the teams pace and passing game was restricted by the conditions.

Coach Sasa Kolman made two changes to the team that drew at home 1-1 with Heidleberg United last week. Alexandru Sporea and Eric Hauser coming into the starting lineup in the place of Angel Taravillo and Sam Kagioglou.

The home team started on the front foot with opportunities coming early. Stefan Zinni made a blistering run down the left flank from the half way line all the way into the area only to push his shot across the face and just wide. Port Melbourne rallied and in the 30th minute some relaxed marking in the box resulted in a cross finding a free man for a tap into the top left corner of the net. The Sharks almost scored a second just minutes later only to be prevented by a good save from South goalkeeper Jason Giccominato.

Ryan Barbare was in good form picking holes in the Port Melbourne midfield. The wet slow conditions were however limiting South’s style of play and the usual sweeping attacks on both wings were limited.

In the second half, Port continued to press in attack but were held out by a strong defence. Zinni was impressive down the wing, finding his way in behind the defenders and looking to strike. In the 66th minute, he would again be in the action, this time on the receiving end of a superb cross from Joshua Markovski. An easy tap in for Zinni and South had the equaliser.

The remainder of the match settled into a battle of the midfield with Port Melbourne the more aggressive. A superb Port strike from outside area forced an equally impressive save from Giccominato who’s fingertip touch was enough to push the ball up and into the crossbar to keep South in the match.

With a few minutes remaining South launched on the counter. The last man was taken down by a Port defender with the ball spilling free. The referee played advantage giving South a one-on-one with the keeper. A fake left and push right wasn’t quite enough to beat the rushing glove man and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

A disappointed South Melbourne coach Sasa Kolman spoke to smfc.com.au after the match saying “that was a really bad game, we couldn’t play our football. The game could have gone either way. They had a couple of really good chances, we were lucky. But at the end we had a really good chance too.I believe we have a very good team. Well done to the boys, it was a good fight”.

South remain in eighth on the ladder and next week take on Green Gully at Lakeside Stadium. The team will be looking to reverse the 2-0 loss to the Cavaliers in Round Three.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-1 PORT MELBOURNE (HT: 0-1)

Goal Scorers:
0-1 Senisios Frangos (31’)
1-1 Stefan Zinni (67’)

South Melbourne FC:
22. Jason Giccominato (GK), 13. Ryan Babare, 23. Andy Kecojevic, 28. Peter Constantinou, 29. Alexandru Sporea (42. Massimo Pesce 59’), 31. Dion Paola, 34. Ioannis Avramidis, 35. Stefan Zinni, 37. Eric Hauser (38. Juan Igic 63’), 41. Timothy Kakoliris, 43. Joshua Markovski (36. Angel Taravillo 74’)

Port Melbourne Sharks:
23. Alexander Connell (GK), 2. Darcy Rapa, 4. Aaron Maclean, 5. Blaine Burrell, 6. Nicholas Kozdra, 7. Sensios Frangos, 8. Stace Pagounis, 9. Tolumay Cokacar, 12. Billy Arggros, 17. Peter Michael, 18. Anthony Ianchello (10. Lisandro Paz 29’)

SMFC Man of the Match: Stefan Zinni
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 29 June 2014