Friday, 5 October 2007 5:16 PM
The club wishes to advise that the Annual General Meeting of the South Melbourne Hellas Soccer Club Ltd will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday 28th October 2007
Location: Champions Bar, Bob Jane Stadium, 25 Albert Road Drive, Albert Park
Time: 11.00am
Please be advised that only voting members i.e. Hellas 100, South Gold and Life members are eligible to attend.
Tuesday, 2 October 2007 10:52 AM
Date: Friday 5th October
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Champions Bar
Cost: $50.00
For enquiries, or to book tickets, call the office on: 9645 9797. Tickets cost includes: Buffet, Beer, Wine and softdrink.
Thursday, 27 September 2007 2:43 PM
Date: Saturday 29th September 2007
Time: 12pm
Location: BJS
Cost: FREE – Gold Coin donations welcomed!
Bar will be open and drinks can be purchased at bar prices
Monday, 10 September 2007 12:09 PM
South Melbourne FC, in cooperation with Vikings Futsal, would like to announce the launch of Summer Futebol 5-A-Side on BJS during October – December.
This is a first for Victorian football and will encourage greater participation and involvement for all football followers and lovers of the game on Victoria’s premier footballing venue.
Games will be staged at night and under lights and will coincide with Melbourne’s Spring season.
The tournament is open to all age groups both male and female.
If you wish to participate please download and fill out a team nomination form.
For more information, please contact Milton on 0447 799 850.
Monday, 10 September 2007 11:56 AM
By George Kouroumalis
South Melbourne has ended a disappointing season with a solid home win against the already relegated Kingston City at Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday.
South, who could not make the top six, started with a relatively young line-up that was missing several experienced campaigners such as captain Tansel Baser, Ricky Diaco, Trent Waterson, Arthur Tsonis and Fernando De Moraes.
The game started off in an explosive manner, with Nathan Caldwell gathering possession from the kick-off and storming his way past the stagnant Kingston defence, before slotting a left foot shot into the back of the net, giving his side the early advantage.
South continued the early dominance and almost doubled their advantage in the 8th minute, when some good interplay by Caldwell and Yusef Yusef saw the former Heidelberg winger taking a stinging shot on goal.
Fortunately for Kingston side the ball fell into the arms of the keeper, who held onto the shot without any trouble.
Kingston responded by launching their first attack of the game.
On this occasion a long ball by ex-South player Nick Tolios fell into the path of Antun Vulic, who after taking a touch, hit a drive into the arms of the waiting Mitchell Langerak.
The 30th minute saw Kingston have yet another opportunity on target, through Fergal O’Colmain, who took a long range effort into the arms of Langerak after a neat one-two with Vulic.
The second half started in the same manner as the first, with South coming extremely close to scoring just moments after the kick-off after a powerful Frank Drakopoulos header was superbly saved by Barry Andrews in the Kingston goal.
South didn’t have to wait long for that elusive second goal, when it doubled their advantage in the 64th minute after a brilliant run by Ramazan Tavsancioglu, saw the impressive winger burn his way past the Kingston defence before playing in an inch perfect ball into Gianni De Nittis.
De Nittis, who had suffered injuries for the most part of the year, calmly took his chance by knocking the ball into the open net.
As the game and season in general for both clubs were coming to a close, Kingston found an extra gear, seemingly keen to finish their tenure in the Foxtel Cup on a positive note.
In the 74th minute, some poor marking by the South defence saw Christopher Greechen in space just inside the area, allowing him to look up and hit a firm shot on target, which was parried back into the field of play by Langerak
Greechen latched onto the rebound and hit yet another cracking shot onto the target, which this time was thwarted by the cross bar.
In the final moments of the content, Kingston had their final chance to get on the scoreboard for the match via a free kick outside the box.
Kingston veteran Jim Latinopoulos then stepped up and hit a curling strike into the cross bar once more, to the disbelief of the small Kingston contingent.
With that came the final whistle, ending a disappointing season for both clubs, with Kingston needing come to terms with playing State League 1 football, while South will be watching the finals next week, knowing that they cannot defend their crown that they bravely captured last season.
Monday, 3 September 2007 12:53 PM
By George Kouroumalis
For the first time since re-joining the State League in the 2005 season, South Melbourne will be in somewhat unfamiliar territory, missing out on a top six position and finals football, after a uncharacteristic loss against Western Suburbs on Sunday.
Going into the game, the equation was simple for both sides, with a Western Suburbs win ensuring that the Sunshine based club would avoid relegation.
On the flip side, the reigning champions knew that if it had any chance of making the top six it would have to overcome the resilient Suburbs outfit.
South went into the game with a fairly inexperienced line-up, with arguably the two most consistent players of the season in Trent Waterson and Ricky Diaco falling to injury and illness during the week.
Staring for South were three newcomers in Robert Wynne, Dusan Bosnjak and Bunyamin Vahid, who were all making their debut for the club in the starting eleven.
With the first half starting in a fairly slow and tentative manner, Suburbs created the first genuine chance in the 12th minute, when some poor defending by Arthur Tsonis allowed the ball to spill to Leandro Rizzo.
Rizzo, who had found himself in the right place, calmly tapped his shot from close range into the back of the net giving his side the advantage.
Suburbs continued to push forward at every opportunity and a storming run down the left hand flank by Igor Kraphko saw the energetic midfielder win a penalty after poor judgement by Ramazan.
Kraphko stepped up and slammed his penalty past the helpless Langerak to give his side a two nil advantage at the break.
South came out a more attacking side in the second half and through a couple of speculative efforts by Fernando De Moraes amd Nathan Caldwell, the away side had signalled that perhaps they were up for the challenge.
De Moraes had another chance to get his side onto the scoreboard once again in the 62nd minute, when some good interplay between him and Caldwell saw the Brazilian maestro slam the ball well over the bar.
However in the 77th minute, it was Suburbs that would grab the only goal of the half when a sweeping break by the home side saw Rizzo play an exceptional ball into Bill Sianidis.
Sianidis, who had worried South all game, composed himself and buried the chance past the keeper to give his side an amazing 3-0 win and the assurance that they would be playing in the Foxtel Cup in Season 2008.
South on the other hand will rue a season of missed opportunity, after failing o make the top six following their championship win from last season.
With the final game of the season against Kingston City at Bob Jane Stadium next Sunday, fans are asked to continue to get behind the side and to continue their valued support of South Melbourne FC.
Kick off next Sunday is at 3pm.
Monday, 27 August 2007 11:23 AM
A passionate and spirited performance by relegation threatened Sunshine has seen the away side stun South Melbourne by 2 goals to nil on Sunday at Bob Jane Stadium.
South came into the game a solitary game outside the top six, hoping that a home victory would keep them in touch for a finals birth.
The home side started the game strongly, launching a sweeping attack in the 2nd minute, which culminated with the ball falling into the feet of Adam Van Dommele outside the box.
The former Adelaide United defender then hit a speculative long range effort just wide of the target.
Sunshine responded strongly with an attack of their own, with midfield maestro and former South Melbourne player Anthony Magnacca storming past the stagnant defence and after taking a touch, he played an exceptional ball past the outside of the post and away for a goal kick.
South continued the end to end start of the game and after some neat build up work, Yusef found himself on the right hand flank in space.
With acres of space in front of him, Yusef darted past Goran Talevski and hit a solid shot past the outside of the goal.
Sunshine however repelled the attack immediately with a stinging foray forward of their own.
On this occasion Alfonso Opazo played a delightful ball into the feet of the danger man Magnacca, who hit his shot into the defender when the ball looked to be goal bound.
The Georgies should have been a goal ahead in the 31st minute, when some creative work by Magnacca in the centre of the park saw the ball being played wide to Goran Talevski on the right hand flank.
Talevski then forced his way past Van Dommele, before launching an inch perfect cross into the path of Magnacca, who had run all the way down with him.
From only a metre out, the unmarked Magnacca unbelievably turned the ball wide of the target and out for a goal kick.
The second half began in the same manner as the first half, with both sides looking to score in the early stages.
Ricky Diaco, who was looking most likely to do the damage for the home side, continued to work tirelessly up front and in the 46 th minute a mazy run by the former A-League star, saw him slide past a host of defenders before scuffing his shot at the final stage.
South continued to push forward in hope and missed two half chances through Yusef in the 63 rd and 70th minutes, with the young winger hitting long range efforts just wide on both occasions.
In the 73rd minute, South had the best chance of the game, when a superb long ball by Ramazan saw the ball fall into the path of Nathan Caldwell.
Caldwell, with only Martin John to beat, smacked his volley well over the bar and out for a goal kick.
From that point on the game was all Sunshine and in the 74th minute Magnacca missed another chance from just inside the area.
On this occasion he ran past Tsonis, before storming into the area with only the keeper to beat.
To his dismay and to the frustration of the vocal Sunshine contingent, the ball landed in the arms of Langerak in the South Melbourne goal.
The deadlock however was broken only minutes later, when a lapse in the South defence saw Nicholas Kalmar find himself unmarked just outside the area.
Kalmar, who took a touch, then launched a speculative long range effort into the top right hand corner of the net to send the Sunshine fans into delirium.
To the amazement of the optimistic home fans, the Georgies sealed the game in the 86th minute by doubling their advantage, after substitute Matthew Cini bamboozled Frank Drakopoulos before sprinting into the area unmarked and launching his inch perfect shot past Langerak in the back of the net.
The loss sends South further outside the top six with a must win game against the Western Suburbs away next Sunday at 3pm.
Friday, 24 August 2007 12:34 AM
By Michael Tsoukalis
South Melbourne’s slim hopes of finals football this season will be eliminated if John Anastasiadis’s men fail to get the maximum three points against the John Markovski-coached Sunhine Georgies.
South has failed to capitalize on the opening it was presented with by failing to get the necessary results against Fawkner and Altona in the past two weeks.
South’s inability to punish teams fighting relegation has ultimately left John Anastasiadis’s men with an uphill battle, needing to win their last three encounters to have any hope of defending their championship.
From Sunshine’s perspective, Sunday’s clash is a must win encounter in order to give the Western Suburbs-based club some breathing space in their fight to avoid relegation.
The Georgies ended a run of 3 matches without a win last Sunday away to cellar dwellers the Springvale White Eagles and currently find themselves in third last position.
Sunshine have few match winners but possess one of the league’s most creative players in ex-South Melbourne striker Anthony Magnacca who is the Georgies leading scorer on 6 goals to date.
Magnacca has the ability to open up defenses with his silky footwork and has been well supported by ex-South Melbourne youth player Alfonso Opazo who has netted five times this season.
In Martin John the Georgies also possess one of the best goalkeepers in the league. John was outstanding when both sides met earlier this season at Chaplin Reserve with the ex-Melbourne Knights custodian one of the best shot-stoppers in Australia.
In the South camp, Tansel Baser will most certainly miss again due to the hip flexor injury he sustained against Fawkner whilst Trent Waterson who didn’t feature at all last week against Altona will hopefully be back in line to play some minutes.
South were boosted by the return of Yusef Yusef and Fernando Moraes against the Magic with Brazilian Moraes showing some glimpses of the form and confidence that made him such a standout over the past two seasons.
Moraes has been out of sorts this season due to a variety of reasons. A niggling knee injury has prevented him from being fully fit whilst his stint in the A-League with the New Zealand Knights prevented the Brazilian maestro from having any sort of rest in the off-season.
With three games left in the season, South needs Moraes to stamp his undoubted class on matches to try and propel the Albert Park-based back into finals’ contention.
Moraes of course isn’t alone, consistency has been lacking from South’s play all season and with just three matches remaining, the entire squad must raise a level and become more clinical or else risk losing their Championship at the first hurdle.
Sunday, 19 August 2007 9:33 PM
By Michael Tsoukalis
South Melbourne’s hopes of finals football have been dealt a severe blow after a stuttering performance saw a Michael Curcija header midway through the second half ultimately prove enough for the Western Suburbs-based club with Altona managing to hold on to a one-nil result and practically confirm their place in the top-six.
South must now win there last three encounters against the Sunshine Georgies, Western Suburbs and Kingston City if they are to figure in finals action.
Injuries to Tansel Baser and Trent Waterson meant that South was forced to make two changes to its starting lineup. Yusef Yusef and Fernando Moraes came back into the team after missing the past few encounters with calf and knee injuries respectively.
Coach John Anastasidis sent his team out as follows. Mitch Langerak started in goals protected by a central defensive pairing of Arthur Tsonis and Sammy DeVito. Rama Tavsancioglu and Adam Van Dommele continued in their respective right and left-back roles. In the centre of the park Vasilios Natsioulas was given an attacking midfield role with Gianni De Nittis also partnering him in the centre of the park. Out wide, Yusef Yusef started on the right flank with Brazilian Fernando Moraes on the left. Up front Nathan Caldwell continued his partnership with South leading scorer Ricky Diaco.
With the result of vital importance for both sides, the game was very tight with little being created in the opening half hour. South’s first decent chance arrived on 27 minutes when a free kick from 20 or so yards out was hit well over the crossbar by Ricky Diaco.
Then a minute later, the game exploded into action after ex-South Melbourne striker Michael Curcija whipped in a quality ball from the right that found an unmarked Saso Aleksovski who saw his first time-volley bobble past South keeper Langerak only to be cleared off the line by the well positioned DeVito.
South began the 2nd half looking to find the crucial go-ahead goal. The skillful Natsioulas found himself in a great position just outside the box in the 48th minute but produced a disappointing effort, failing to hit the target and to test Altona custodian Bojo Jevdjevic.
Ricky Diaco spurned a golden chance in the 58th minute after Caldwell did superbly well to release Moraes down the left with a lunging pass. Moraes produced a superb cross to the back-post that took out Jevdjevic and left Diaco with an open net. Unfortunately for South, the ball was slightly high with Diaco, at full stretch, heading narrowly over from 6-or-so yards out.
Altona nearly went ahead in the 62nd minute after a superb cross to the back-post again by Curcija saw the South defence scurrying to block for a corner. From the resulting corner indecision in the South 6-yard box saw Tavsancioglu slice the ball onto the crossbar.
Altona went ahead on 66 minutes after ex-South winger Agim Sherifovski found some space down the left flank. Sherifovski produced an inch-perfect cross that found an unmarked Curcija who with a first time diving header, sent the ball crashing past Langerak from 8-or-so yards out.
It was disappointing defending from South who left Curcija completely unmarked in his most dangerous position, in-and-around the heart of the box.
South seemed to lose heart after conceding the goal with Altona nearly adding a second in the 77th minute after poor marking from the South defence saw last season’s Gold Medal winner Saso Becvinovski giving space to turn and shoot in a dangerous position on the edge of the South box. Fortunately for South, Becvinovski shot straight at Langerak who gloved safely.
In the 79th minute a superb run down the right flank byYusef Yusef saw the ex-Heidelberg winger produce a great low cross into the heart of the Altona area. Unfortunately for South there was no-one on hand to tap home what would’ve been the easiest of finishes with Altona custodian Jevdjevic no-where near the cross.
Two minutes later and South continued there search for an equalizer. This time quick control and a sharp shot on the turn from just outside the Altona box by Caldwell saw the ball flash agonizingly past the right upright with Jevdjevic well beaten.
In the 84th minute a searching ball from the right into the heart of the Altona box saw Natsioulas almost fashion a brilliant equalizer with his instinctive header crashing into the side-netting.
South’s best chance to equalize arrived in the 91st minute after Diaco made some space for himself on the edge of the Altona area. Diaco had a clear strike and from a favorable angle and looked odds-on to equalize. However and unfortunately for South, the powerful striker scuffed his shot and saw it rest comfortably in the gloves of Jevdjevic who was relieved to not have produce any acrobatics.
Altona nearly added a second with practically the last kick of the game when ex-South Melbourne defender Levent Osman was given too much space just outside the box and subsequently fired a powerful and dipping effort that Langerak did superbly well to save and deflect for a corner.
A disappointing result for South in what was a must win encounter, that said, John Anastasiadis’s men still have their destiny somewhat in their hands with their final three games of the season against teams which they have defeated early on in the season. If South manage to win their last three games the Champions will be almost certain of being able to attempt a defence of their Championship, however with the patchy form they have shown all season, John Anastasiadis’s men will have to find a level of consistency which has escaped them thus far.
Friday, 17 August 2007 1:14 AM
By Michael Tsoukalis
South Melbourne travels to Paisley Park Saturday afternoon knowing that they must break new ground and beat Altona away if John Anastasiadis’s men want to figure in this season’s finals campaign.
A costly draw to Fawkner last week in a game which South dominated has placed added pressure on the Albert Park-based club who in their two seasons since returning to Victoria’s Premier football competition have failed to come away from Altona with the three points.
In fact earlier this season an ineffective South was defeated 1-3 at Bob Jane Stadium by the Vlado Tortevski-coached club with Altona extremely potent on the counter and able to absorb South’s attacking raids.
A win for South could potentially propel the club to as high as fourth place, but would nevertheless guarantee them at least fifth position. Conversely, if Altona lose they could drop out of the top six.
South may be bolstered by the return of silky winger Yusef Yusef who has trained all week after sustaining a calf strain two weeks ago against the Melbourne Knights. Left-back Adam Van Dommele who went off early against Fawkner after suffering a nasty laceration under his eye has been training and will lineup against the Magic.
Unfortunately for South, Brazilian Fernando Moraes will miss again due to his troublesome knee injury with the inspirational Tansel Baser who tore a hip flexor against Fawkner, likely to miss at least two weeks.
The Magic have one of the better defences in the league and in strikers Michael Curcija and last season’s Gold Medal winner Saso Becvinovski have an extremely dangerous attack. Curcija and Becvinovski have scored 16 times between them this season and will have to be carefully watched by the South defence. Englishman Fidell Richards also looms as a genuine threat, with the Ex-Sunshine Georgies player possessing tremendous pace and good dribbling ability that can cause major headaches for defences.
Altona also have some very experienced players at Premier League level with the likes of goalkeeper Bojo Jevdjevic and ex-South Melbourne player Levent Osman having had vast experience in the National League and in Osman’s case, in Europe as well.
It must be noted that South has improved tremendously from a defensive perspective over the past 5 games, keeping four clean sheets and only conceding two goals. The return of the colossal Arthur Tsonis and with Baser playing in the centre of defence has patched up what was at times a leaky backline, however, with Baser missing against Altona, it will be interesting to see who Coach Anatasiadis selects to partner Tsonis.