Author: SMFC Media

Thursday, 14 June 2007 3:05 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne travel to Chaplin Reserve this Sunday afternoon looking to move up the table and in turn solidify their standing in the Foxtel Cup top-six.

Currently in 5th position, the Champions have picked up 7 points out of a possible 9 over the past three matches and go into Sunday’s encounter knowing that a win will propel the Albert Park-based club with a group of teams that have a comfortable buffer in the top five.

John Anastasiadis’s men have been managing to grind out results whilst playing well below their optimum level, an encouraging sign for the club as no doubt their best football is yet to come.

In the Georgies, South face a team very similar in style to last week’s opponents, Western Suburbs. The Georgies possess one of the league’s best defenses having only conceded 14 times, an effort largely due to seasoned players such as Stanko Zilic, Colin Azzopardi and goalkeeper Martin John.

However conversely, The Georgies have only managed to net 11 times with ten of the goals coming from former Gold Medal winner and ex-South striker Anthony Magnacca(4), ex-South youth player Alfonso Opazo(3) and striker Vasko Trpcevski(3) respectively.

The Georgies are fighting to protect their Premier League status and must win in order to get out of the relegation zone.

They have the benefit of having a longer recuperation period than South after their scheduled Round 14 fixture against Heidelberg was abandoned due to floodlight failure.

Furthermore, ex-South youth Coach Joe Montemurro was recently replaced by former Georgies player and coach John Markovski who has also registered himself as available to play.

Markovski immediately brought in exciting winger Goran Talevski on loan from Altona in order to generate some attacking flair for the goal-shy Georgies.

In the South camp, last week’s late absentees Vasilios Natsioulas and Jose Vasquez who both missed due to hamstring soreness are possibly pushing for re-inclusion into the squad.

Youngster Nick Curtis is still out with a knee injury whilst new defensive recruit Adam Van Dommele is likely to miss after sustaining an ankle injury early on in the win against Western Suburbs.

South have traditionally struggled away against the Georgies since re-entering the Premier League, losing 1-0 in last season’s encounter, in a game which South winger Trent Waterson netted against his current club.

The atmosphere at Chaplin Reserve is notorious for inspiring the home side, but with South having accumulated an overall good away record so far this term, John Anastasiadis’s men are well positioned to capitalize on their push for successive titles.

Thursday, 7 June 2007 2:36 PM

By George Kouroumalis

Further to the singing of Mitchell Langerak, South Melbourne would also like to announce the signing of former Adelaide United defender Adam Van Dommele for the remainder of the 2007 Foxtel Cup Season.

A product of the South Australian Institute of Sport, Van Dommele was regarded as a superb prospect as a youngster, playing a vital part in the 2001 FIFA U17 World Youth Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, where he managed to play every game for his nation in an impressive display.

In 2002, Van Dommele was given his first taste at senior football, where he joined South Australian club side Modbury Jets for the entire season. Following his performances in the state league were English Second Division Club Hartlepool United, who offered the quick defender a professional contract in 2003.

After injuries plagued him during his English stint, Van Dommele returned home to Australia, taking up a chance to return to the South Australian state leagues, playing for Enfield City and immediately impressing everyone with his tackling and all round defensive ability.

In 2005, he was offered a professional contract by A-League club Adelaide United and throughout two years under the helm of John Kosmina was able to muster up vital experience at national level against the best players on the domestic front. This included playing 19 games in his debut year at the club, which saw him receive the club’s rising star award as a reward for an exceptional debut season.

However, the 2006/07 season was slightly disappointing for Van Dommele, who only managed to play 6 games in total. This caused him to fall out of favour with new coach Aurellio Vidmar, who took over the reigns late in the season.

Most recently, Van Dommele was given a chance to represent Adelaide in the prestigious Asian Champions League. He played three games alongside former South player Michael Valkanis and impressed with his defensive efforts.

After parting company with Adelaide in May 2007, Van Dommele will now be given his chance to shine and prove his worth as a senior footballer with reigning champions South Melbourne in the Foxtel Cup, under the guidance of John Anastasiadis.

Thursday, 7 June 2007 2:31 PM

By George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne FC would like to announce the signing of current Qantas Young Socceroo Mitchell Langerak for the remainder of the 2007 Foxtel Cup Season.

Langerak, who has been signed by South Melbourne on a loan deal from Melbourne Victory, has had a very impressive start to his career, receiving his first international cap for the Qantas Young Socceroos in August 2006.

Following his stellar form on debut, the young Goalkeeper was included in the squad for the 2006 AFC Youth Championships in India, playing an integral part in the Australian defensive unit.

His performances on the world stage were noticed by A-League club, Melbourne Victory, who in February 2007 signed the Queensland native on a two year contract to enable the youngster to continue his training in a professional football environment.

To further enhance his development, Victory allowed Langerak to gain some valuable first team experience and allowed for him to be loaned to South Melbourne, who saw the talented teenager as someone who could fill the gap left by injured Goalkeeper Dean Anastasiadis.

Making his SMFC debut last Sunday, Langerak slotted into the South lineup well, ensuring that his side kept a clean sheet in an impressive 3-0 win away to the Kingston City Reds, making some critical one on one saves.

South Melbourne FC is thrilled to have a player of such calibre and promise available to the side and are proud of their continuing role in the development Australian Football.

Wednesday, 6 June 2007 5:30 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne returns to Bob Jan Stadium this Friday night looking to consolidate its position in the top six after a comfortable three-nil away win to Kingston City last week.

Inspired by the in-form Vasilios Natsioulas who has scored four goals in two games, the Champions controlled the contest, whilst not hitting a high-level of performance, to finally reclaim a top-six birth.

Traveling to Lakeside will be the newly promoted Western Suburbs, coached by ex-Heidelberg player and Oakleigh coach Michael Chatzitrifonas. Suburbs have the equal second best defence in the league, having only conceded eleven times, and whilst sitting in the relegation zone, have only suffered defeat four times.

In fact, Chatzitrifonas’s men have gone five matches undefeated, playing the most compact and defensive game in the league, yet as a result, putting themselves in a position to try and retain their Premier League status.

As a consequence of their highly defensive structure, Suburbs have the poorest return of goals scored, having only scored seven times to be by far and away the most ineffective attacking team in the competition.

Strikers Igor Khrapko and Lorenz Kindtner have scored two goals a-piece to be Suburbs’ greatest attacking threats and even though South will no doubt have the majority of possession, they will have to be alert to Suburbs’ counter-attacking game, however in-frequently it may occur.

Mitch Langerak played solidly in his debut game in goals for South last week and will no doubt retain the keeping duties. Also impressing was the 15-minute cameo of Jose Vasquez, the young central midfielder who sustained a knee injury towards the end of last season has slowly worked his way to fitness.

Vasquez looked extremely sharp and calm on the ball and will hopefully play a major role in South’s push for back-to-back championships.

Super encouraging for South has been the recent goal-scoring emergence of Vasilios Natsioulas. The young flyer has scored five times this season and has been relishing his more centralized role. Natsioulas however is nursing a hamstring strain and may miss Friday’s encounter.

South will also be without the services of young midfielder Nick Curtis for at least four weeks. Curtis injured his knee in training last week and whilst avoiding major damage, will need at least a month off to recover.
Finally, John Anastasiadis may also have the inspirational Tansel Baser available for selection. Baser who has also been nursing groin-related problems since his return from suspension, trained during the week and is a chance to play on Friday night.

Saturday, 2 June 2007 2:55 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

The Foxtel Cup is heating up with South traveling to the Kingston Heath Complex to take on Kingston City in what looms as a must win fixture for both sides.

John Anastasiadis’s men have had an inconsistent season and must collect all three points to start applying pressure on the top six.

Conversely, Kingston haven’t won in 5 games and sit in the relegation zone after a massive turnover of players in the off-season which saw the likes of Michael Curcija, Joe Spiteri, Steve Iosifidis an Alex Kiratzoglou depart the club.

The Dean Hennessey-coached City have had to rely on blooding youth and have unearthed a decent striking talent in top-scorer Antun Vulic who has managed to chip in with four goals this season, a particularly valuable contribution as Kingston are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, managing only eleven goals to-date.

The Reds have some experience in players like ex-South Melbourne defender Nick Tolios and ex-Oakleigh utility Jimmy Latinopoulos but overall seem to lack a cutting edge which may see them struggle to retain their Premier League status.

In the South camp, defensive colossus Dino Djulbic has departed for A-League club the Perth Glory but has been replaced by ex-Adelaide United player Adam Van Dommele who will hopefully be able to make his debut on Sunday, slotting straight into the back four.

South have also signed exciting young Socceroo goalkeeper Mitch Langerak on loan with the sought-after keeper expected to immediately take on the keeping duties.

The Albert Park-based club continue to be let down by defensive errors with the 20 goals conceded so far this term the second most in the league. South’s defensive lapses hold the key to the rest of the season as up-front they are currently the highest scoring team in the league, having netted 23 times with a somewhat even spread of goal-scorers.

Young winger Vasilios Natsioulas is surely on the verge of a first eleven birth after scoring twice last week off the bench against Preston. Natsioulas has consistently been impressive when called upon this season with his quick feet and silky footwork always proving a handful for opposition defences.

The same can be said for winger/striker Yusef Yusef who has also provided an attacking spark in recent times off the bench, the ex-Heidelberg player has been influential down the left-hand side when called upon and could also be pushing for a start.

With so many attacking options at its disposal, South shouldn’t struggle to score against Kingston, defensively however they will have to put a significantly sharper performance as too many times this season South has scored more than once in a contest, yet failed to get the deserving result.

Thursday, 31 May 2007 4:29 PM

In another round of EURO 2008 qualifying matches, Greece looks to take maximum points to continue its defence of its crown as European Champions. Two vital matches are scheduled which will see the reigning European Champions take on Hungary and Moldova at the Pankrition Stadium in Crete. Catch all the action of these two big games at the Champions Sports Bar at Bob Jane Stadium, the home of South Melbourne FC. Details of the two games are listed below:

Greece vs. Hungary
Sunday morning 3rd June 2007
Kick Off 4.30am
Doors Open 3am
Tickets $25

Greece vs. Moldova
Thursday morning 7th June 2007
Kick Off 4.30am
Doors Open 3am
Tickets $25

Monday, 28 May 2007 12:26 PM

Dino Djulbic has played his final game in South Melbourne colours for the time being, after accepting a sensational opportunity to join A-League club, Perth Glory for the 2007/08 season.

Growing up in Perth, Djublic crossed over to Victoria in 2006 after signing for the Frankston Pines in the VPL.

A little over 6 months later and with injuries plaguing the senior side, South Melbourne snapped up Djulbic in a hope that the impressive defender could make a difference to the team’s performances.

The faith in Dino by South was paid off almost immediately, with the big long-haired defender making his mark on the competition, shutting out some of the most influential and experienced attacking players in the state.

Dino’s rise was topped off in the 2006 Grand Final when he completely took the season’s Gold Medal and Golden Boot winner Sash Becvinovksi out of the game, limiting the star striker to only a few half chances over the 90 mins of play, which also went a long way to securing the championship win for his side.

Speaking to www.smfc.com.au last night, Dino had nothing but praise for the club that has been his home for the past year.

“South Melbourne is a massive club in this country and it has been an honour to play in the blue and white shirt for the last 12 months. I hope that one day we can see South reach the heights that it has previously held once again.”

“I would personally like to thank everyone associated with the club for my experience, including my team mates who I shared a championship with, the coaching staff who had faith in me, as well as the board of directors and club volunteers who made the place feel like it was my home.”

“Finally I would like to thank the South Melbourne fans for all their support over the past year. This club is blessed to have one of the largest support bases in not just Victoria but the entire country and it was an amazing feeling hearing the blue army roar every time I wore the famous shirt into battle for them.”

“For the supporters’ sake, I sincerely hope South can push into greener pastures and reach the heights that it has in the past, because this club deserves to be right up there with the best.”

The South Melbourne family would like to thank Dino Djublic for his contribution over the last 12 months and would like to wish him all the best for the future.

Sunday, 27 May 2007 9:28 PM

By George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne has come back from the dead, overturning a two goal deficit to earn a hard-fought point against the impressive and high flying Preston Lions at Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday.

Preston, who had come into this game on a nine game unbeaten run, was eying off first position on the Foxtel Cup table and began the match like a side on a mission. They pressed forward immediately, when a lovely ball by Marinos Gasparis found Johnny Sapazovski in open space, with the veteran hitting the ball wide of the target.

Preston continued to assert their early dominance on the game and were rewarded in the 5th minute, when a horrific pass by Arthur Tsonis was delivered straight into the feet of the speedy Gasparis, who then launched a low driving cross to the back post and directly into the path of the advancing Zoran Petrevski, who slammed the ball into the back of the net to give his side a 0-1 advantage.

South almost went two behind only 3 minutes later, when a blistering run and drive by Sapazovski swung outside the upright and away for a harmless goal kick.

After being dominated and barely having any midfield possession in the game, South rallied and through their first real attacking move of the contest got back on level terms. The ball was brought forward quickly from the defence and played into a central position to the feet of Nick Curtis, who then turned and hit an opportunistic strike past the outstretched Lupce Acevski in the Preston goal, to bring his side back on level terms.

South continued to push forward at every opportunity thereafter and won a free kick just outside the area, after a sloppy foul by Preston defender Les Anastasiou.
From the resultant free-kick, Ricky Diaco stepped up and hit a wicked shot directly at the target, only to be foiled by the experienced Acevski in goals.

Just before the half time break, South came closest to breaking the deadlock once again, when a sublime run and cross by Gianni De Nittis found the unmarked Diaco on the edge of the area. Diaco then turned and hit an amazing effort straight onto the post with a curling right foot bullet, which had Acevski rooted to the spot.

Both teams came out in a more subdued frame of mind in the second half, both content with ensuring that they would not leak anymore goals and also try and attack the opposition on the counter attack at every opportunity.

Preston had the first real chance of the half in the 60th minute, after a blistering run by Gasparis saw the winger once again dash past a host of South defenders and play an inviting ball into the area where it seemingly looked to be covered by the keeper.

In an unlucky twist for the young keeper Tosic, he saw the ball slip straight through his hands and to the waiting Tony Sterjovski, who smacked the ball into the back of the net, to send coach Lozanovski in delirium mode in the technical area.

The Lions continued to push forward to try and ice the game and looked to have done so in the 71st minute, after a short corner was knocked into the path of Gasparis, who hit a screaming shot over Tosic and into the back of the net from 25 yards and also from a wicked angle near the corner post.

With South 1-3 down and looking at slipping further down the table, coach John Anastasiadis threw caution into the wind, sending on two attacking minded players in Trent Waterson and Yusef Yusef in place of Arthur Tsonis and Tansel Baser.

The gutsy move paid off immediately, when a magnificent swinging cross was hit by Waterson into the back post and onto the head of Yusef, who hit a driving header on target and into Acevski, who made a great save. However from the resulting deflection, the ball fell into the path another substitute Bill Natsioulas, who was left with a simple tap-in to bring his side back within a solitary goal.

South continued to push forward in numbers and was denied by Acevski in goals. Another brilliant ball by Waterson once again found the unmarked Yusef in space in the six yard box. From nowhere, Acevski made what was close to the save of the season and denied Yusef from point blank range, keeping his side in front for the moment.

Sensing that an equaliser would come, South, with a home crowd behind them, continued to push forward, even though at times they left themselves with nobody at the back. The move paid off in the 85 th minute, when Waterson once again played in an inch perfect pass into the feet of unmarked Natsioulas. He buried home his chance from five yards out and sent the home fans into raptures and the Preston defence into total disbelief as to how they could allow Natsioulas with such space inside the area.

South put further pressure on the Preston goal, with Acevski making a routine save in the 92nd minute from a Yusef shot, ensuring at least that his side would hold on for a point, when at one stage it looked like his side was destined to take all three.

South defender Dino Djulbic, in his final game for South before heading to Perth Glory in the A-League, was disappointed with the errors his side made, saying that “we were unlucky, but we only have ourselves to blame after giving away the two points, after some crucial errors gifted Preston some goals early.”

Preston coach Goran Lozanovski was also disappointed with the outcome, noting how “we started off so well and had a two goal advantage, but I was very disappointed to concede two goals so late in the game, but that’s football”.

South will face Kingston City away next Sunday at 3pm.

Friday, 25 May 2007 4:04 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

This Sunday at Bob Jane Stadium South squares up against eternal rivals the Preston Lions in what looms as a do-or-die match for John Anastasiadis’s men.

After an inconsistent season, South face the most consistent team of the current campaign, a Preston Lions outfit coached by ex-South stalwart Goran Lozanovski that has gone unbeaten for over two months to sit comfortably in third position.

On the other hand the Champions have had an up-and-down campaign, struggling to put together a consistent run of results which sees South currently in seventh position, a point outside the top six.

Particularly disappointing for the Albert Park-based outfit has been its leaky defence with up to three players destined to depart for A-League contracts later on in the season, South on paper were considered to have by far the best defensive structure in the league. However, the season-ending injury to club legend and goalkeeper Dean Anastasiadis, coupled with indecisive decision making has seen South concede avoidable goals at crucial times.

The Lions have one of the better squads in the league with danger-men Blaze Georgioski and Johnny Sapazovski having scored 10 goals between them. Of course the Reservoir-based outfit posses one of the best goalkeepers in the country in Lupce Acevski who has been nothing short of spectacular during the current campaign.

The experience of winger Tony Sterjovski coupled with the youthful quality of players like Steven Pace, Marino Gasparis and Isyan Erdogan make Preston one of the most formidable teams in the league with an even spread of experience and promising youth.

In the South camp, Coach John Anastasiadis will have to seriously considering starting both Vasilios Natsioulas and Gianni De Nittis. Both players have had reduced roles this season because of off-season arrivals, but particularly in the case of Natsioulas, who was outstanding after coming off the bench against Whittlesea, a recall to the first eleven is almost a certainty.

It is worth noting that De Nittis has been played largely out of position this season out of necessity, but with his cool finishing during the business-end of last season steering South to the Championship, Coach Anastasiadis will be weighing up whether to start the young striker as South has been quite wasteful this season in front of goals.

South will have to produce a consistent performance all over the park if it is to get a positive result against the Lions, players like Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes, Tansel Baser and Ricky Diaco who have been proven very successful at this and higher levels will need to lead the way and set the tone for their team-mates to follow.

Thursday, 24 May 2007 1:03 PM

FOXTEL CUP Round 12 South Melbourne FC vs. Preston Lions SC
Kick Off: Sunday 27th May 4.30p.m. Bob Jane Stadium

In this week’s Round 12 FOXTEL Cup match, South Melbourne FC welcomes the Preston Lions in the pick of the round’s matches. South Melbourne FC will be looking to take maximum points, after a disappointing defeat at the Whittlesea Zebras, in this encounter between the two historic Melbourne sides. The in-form Preston Lions are coming off a win over their arch rival Heidelberg Warriors SC and will be looking to cause an upset.

In accordance with the Football Federation of Victoria Tribunal decision handed in 2005, the following match will be a South Melbourne FC (SMFC) Members Only match. Entry to the stadium will only be permitted to the following persons:

• SMFC Season Pass Holders/Life Members
• SMFC Corporate Partners/Members
• FFV Accredited Media
• FFV Accredited Staff
• Preston Lions Players/Officials

Please note that FFV Season Pass Holders will not be permitted entry.

We look forward to seeing all South Melbourne FC members and dignitaries on Sunday to enjoy what promises to be a classic encounter.

All patrons at Bob Jane Stadium are reminded that your attendance at the stadium or the precinct surrounding the stadium is subject to the controls of the Major Events (Crowd Management) Act. Patrons are prohibited from possessing flares, weapons and whistles or engaging in disruptive or annoying behaviour within these areas. Authorised officers will remove persons found in contravention of the Act from the stadium and/or managed area.

For more information, please contact Jim Marinis, media spokesperson on 9645 9797 or media@smfc.com.au