Author: SMFC Media

Wednesday, 25 April 2007 12:07 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne return to Bob Jane Stadium this Sunday in search of a much-needed three points to propel them back into the top six and get their season back on track.

The Vlado Tortevski-coached Altona Magic have a point more than South but currently sit in fifth position with a win cementing their status in the top-six.

Both sides haven’t registered wins for close to a month and will be determined to stop their run of ill-form come Sunday.

Altona of course have one of the most dangerous striking partnerships in the country with last season’s Gold Medal winner Saso Becvinovski partnering new recruit and ex-South Melbourne striker Michael Curcija.

Curcija has been the Premier League’s most prolific marksman over the past three seasons with his predatory in-the-box instincts well complimented by fellow new recruit and attacking option Fidell Richards. The tall and speedy Englishman has played for Heidelberg and the Sunshine Georgies over the past two seasons with his pace and direct play a feature of his game.

The Magic possess one of the most experienced and talented squads in the league with the Delev brothers, Koce and Kole always a significant threat and with experienced players at higher levels such as ex-South Melbourne player Levent Osman and ex-Melbourne Knights winger Goran Talevski, Altona have enough quality all around the park to cause South problems.

In the South camp, John Anastasiadis’s men have been guilty of playing good football but not managing to kill-off of games in their two recent encounters against Fawkner and Oakleigh.

South’s recent run of dry form in front of goals may force Coach Anastasiadis to re-introduce last season’s goal-scoring hero Gianni De Nittis back into the starting eleven and in his favored striking role.

De Nittis has seen his playing time somewhat reduced this season with the signing of Nathan Caldwell and after bursting onto the scene last season with a spate of crucial goals, including three against Altona during the finals campaign, De Nittis is nearing a full recall.

The return to Bob Jane could serve as a double blessing for South with its silky ball players returning to one of the best surfaces in the country. South suffered last week with players like Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes unable to play their natural game on the uneven Fawkner pitch.

Sunday’s game also serves as the last one of Tansel Baser’s suspension with the inspirational defensive midfielder due to return in next week’s encounter against the AIS whilst Con Blatsis’s return remains indefinite as he continues his recovery from various niggling injuries.

Monday, 23 April 2007 4:39 PM

This year has seen South embark on an ambitious membership drive aimed at introducing the club to a new supporter base whilst renewing past members.

Recent events concerning non football issues, has made the club resolute about stamping out negative sentiments relating to spectator behaviour within its control.

In order to succeed, the club will be working with all its stakeholders including Football Federation Victoria and Victoria Police in its aim to introduce more families to experience the famous “South Melbourne atmosphere” which its passionate fans are famous for.

In recent times, the club has been very proactive in addressing issues relating to spectator behaviour and crowd management.

A recent press release from Victoria Police by Superintendent Rod Jouning relating to event and crowd management undertaken by the club, reaffirmed the tangible steps South Melbourne FC has taken forward in achieving its aims:

“South Melbourne Football Club was one of the first teams to jump onboard the campaign and has been working with Victoria Police since 2006 in relation to event management planning and risk mitigation. The aim: to make Bob Jane Stadium a safer place for club members, officials, supporters and police.
The club has taken far more responsibility in the management of games and imposing standards of behaviour on their membership. They should be applauded for that approach as things have improved greatly.”

An iconic club on the Australian football scene, South Melbourne FC is embarking on a “Supporters Code of Conduct” to ensure that those attending games and whom are supporting the famous blue and white are doing so with the best interests of South in mind.

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

Sunday, 22 April 2007 11:35 PM

South Melbourne Junior Soccer Club has several vacancies for the under 12 B squad. The season commences on the 6th of June.

To join this exciting young team please contact Ross Zontanos on 0438 781 501.

Sunday, 22 April 2007 9:16 PM

By George Kouroumalis

After a three-week layoff without a competitive fixture, South Melbourne returned to Foxtel Cup action earlier today, earning a hard fought but well deserved point against the Fawkner Blues at CB Smith Reserve.

Coach John Anastasiadis kept faith in a similar lineup to what had been seen in recent weeks. Youngster Miladen Tosic once again was given his chance to shine in goal, in the absence of South veteran Dean Anastasiadis.

In front of him, Arthur Tsonis, Dino Djulbic, Steve O’dor and Ramazan were once again at the heart of the South defence, ready to repel any Fawkner attack.

Sam DeVito and Nick Curtis were once again selected in the middle of the park, with Trent Waterson and Fernando given more attacking midfield roles and open licence to push forward and assist both Ricky Diaco and Nathan Caldwell who were up front for South.

No side really asserted themselves on the game in the first half, with both sides unable to string together any real decent foray forward on the bumpy and uneven surface.

The first real chance came in the 33rd minute, when a weak clearance by the South Melbourne defence gifted in-form striker David Pilic with a chance to give his side the advantage. Forcing his way into the area, Pilic took a touch and slammed the ball into the fence behind the goal without troubling Tosic, who at that stage had barely touched the ball.

South returned to the other end almost immediately, when a sublime run by Ricky Diaco saw the former Gold Medal winner play what seemed to be an inch perfect ball into the path of Fernando. To the surprise of many, he was deemed to be in an offside position.

With the first half providing the punters on hand with a rather poor display of football from both sides, everyone was keen to see whether the standard and endeavor of both sides would lift at all in the second half.

The 51st minute saw the first shot of the half, when the energetic Trent Waterson was released down the right hand side of the park. His cross that was met with the head of Caldwell, with the former Melbourne Knights marksman off target.

Waterson continued his hard running down the right hand flank and shortly after the Caldwell miss provided two sublime crosses which both caught the Fawkner defence and South forwards by surprise, ending in a wasted opportunity on both occassions.

South continued to press forward with no way through the rock solid Fawkner defence, with ex-South player Carl Recchia superb in his role as sweeper, ensuring every South foray forward was killed off at the first opportunity.

With Fernando having very little influence on the game, South coach John Anastasiadis made a tactical switch, bringing on the dangerous Yusef Yusef in the hope that the midfielder would be able to open up a hole in a very tight Fawkner defence.

The move nearly paid immediate dividends when Yusef was released down the middle and got past the outstretched legs of two defenders with a lovely step-over, only for Recchia to once again save the day for the home side with a superb tackle.

Buoyed by the support of the traveling faithful behind the end that South were attacking towards, the boys from lakeside continued to search for a winner. There were two opportunities to take the full points in the final 10 minutes, firstly when an opportunistic strike by Diaco produced one of the saves of the season by Steven Tilovski in the Fawkner goal, denying the South striker.

Then, with only moments left on the clock, a horrendous mix up between the Fawkner defence and keeper Tilovski gifted striker Caldwell with the ball and an open goal, however to the disbelief of everyone at the ground, he pushed his shot wide of the target and out for a goalkick.

From the resulting goalkick the referee blew his whistle, bringing to the end a frustrating game in which South dominated the second half but could not just find the back of the net. However, with a lack of matches in recent weeks, an away draw was an acceptable result and well deserved.

South Melbourne face the Altona Magic in the Grand Final re-match next Sunday at Bob Jane Stadium. Kick-off is at 4.30pm.

Thursday, 19 April 2007 1:23 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne returns to on-field action this Sunday when John Anastasiadis’s men make the trip to C.B Smith Reserve to take on the Luciano Trani-coached Fawkner Blues.

Both sides are in desperate need of a win to put them back into top-six contention after Fawkner’s consecutive three-game run without a win and with South Melbourne not playing last week, the Albert Park-based club will be looking for its third away win of the season to propel it back into top-six.

Under Trani the Blues have improved this season and contain in their lineup some high quality players at both Premier League and National League level.

David Pilic and Mark Tsiorlas are major attacking threats that South must contain if it is to leave Jukes Road with a positive result. Pilic has netted four times this season with Tsiorlas yet to find his rhythm of past seasons managing only one to date.

Carl Recchia and Ricky Chillico are quality players in the centre of the park who have performed consistently at Premier League level for the past 3-4 seasons. Recchia in particular has the ability to open up a game with his shooting ability and will have to be closely watched by South.

In goals the Blues possess one of the leagues’ most experienced and proven goalkeepers in Steven Tilovski, Tilovski has been consistently good for Fawkner over the last few years and instills a lot of confidence in his defence.

In the South camp, Coach Anastasiadis will no doubt be expecting a big performance from his squad, especially after not playing last week. Anastasiadis has the majority of his squad to call from minus Tansel Baser who is nearing the end of his suspension, Con Blatsis who continues recovering from his injury and of course Dean Anastasiadis who has been ruled out for the season.

With new Recruits Ricky Diaco and Trent Waterson in superb form and the return from injury of young winger Vasilios Natsioulas South go into Sunday’s encounter bristling with confidence after their last match, against the table-leading Oakleigh Cannons, saw the Albert Park-based club unlucky not to escape Jack Edwards Reserve with all three points.

It will be interesting to see what formation Coach Anastasiadis elects with players like Arthur Tsonis, Giannis De Nittis, Nicholas Curtis and Yusuf Yusuf all on the fringe of first eleven selection and all pushing very hard to be included from the start.

Wednesday, 18 April 2007 3:32 PM

The South Melbourne FC family once again, after a successful last Friday night, invites all members, supporters, sponsors, general football lovers and anyone looking for a pleasant end to the week to Bob Jane Stadium this Friday evening.

A DJ as well as food and beverages will be on hand for anyone interested in attending.

The South Melbourne FC family is interested in further developing and strengthening its relationship with current and past supporters of the club as well as always looking to find new supporters.

Date: Friday 20th April, 2007
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Bob Jane Stadium, Champions Sports Bar

Monday, 16 April 2007 3:22 PM

South Melbourne FC is disappointed with the decision of the FFV to forfeit the round 6 fixture against the Melbourne Knights due to a dispute over security arrangements.

Acting on the advice from Victoria Police, South Melbourne FC elected to a limit entry to the round 6 Foxtel Cup match against the Melbourne Knights to South Melbourne FC members only. The advice from Victoria Police was based on the incidents which took place at the Australian Tennis Open and the FINA World Swimming Championships together with previous incidents involving the Melbourne Knights SC.

The arrangements for a South Melbourne FC member only game were deemed unacceptable by the FFV who dictated and wanted to impose alternative security arrangements for the fixture. The FFV insisted that the game be open to all fans which would have required 30 police, 25 security guards and 6 ground marshals at the game. South Melbourne FC would have been required to bear the cost of such security arrangements.

South Melbourne FC found the requirements of the FFV to be unreasonable. Apart from the costs of such arrangements, the FFV was not prepared to indemnify the club against any incident or fall out from the match. As result of the FFV not being able to provide indemnity for the fixture to South Melbourne FC, the club was left with no option but to reject the proposed security arrangements in order to safeguard the interests of the club.

The security arrangements proposed by South Melbourne FC, for a members only game, were consistent with previous FFV directives “for high risk matches”. Such a policy has been successful over the previous 2 years and was favourably looked upon and the preferred option of Victoria Police due to the efficient resource allocation and reduced risk.

South Melbourne FC is the manager of Bob Jane Stadium and any security arrangements for the ground are the responsibility of the club. The club has the legal responsibility for the Stadium and for the safety of the patrons, as do other Victorian Premier League Clubs with their grounds. South Melbourne FC wishes to act responsibly and is committed to promoting the safety and enjoyment of participants and spectators at the venue.

South Melbourne FC is not agreeable to any external parties either directly or indirectly controlling the venue or arrangements at the venue without having legal recourse against that party. South Melbourne FC has decided to take proactive measures ensuring that they are not the focal point of other parties’ indiscretions.

South Melbourne FC will be vigorously challenging the FFV decision to forfeit the above mentioned game and is currently seeking legal advice in relation to appropriate legal action to be taken.

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

Friday, 13 April 2007 5:26 PM

As a consequence of the decision of the Football Federation Victoria communicated through their official website, South Melbourne FC regretfully announces that the Round 6 Foxtel Cup fixture between SMFC and the Melbourne Knights WILL NOT be held this Sunday at Bob Jane Stadium.

Thursday, 12 April 2007 5:06 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

The Foxtel Cup resumes this weekend with the Chris Taylor-coached Melbourne Knights making the trip to Bob Jane Stadium for what looms as a crucial fixture for both sides.

South are currently in sixth position with a win likely to cement their place in the top-six and propel them as high as second on the ladder results pending.

Conversely, the Knights have made a stuttering start to the season, winning one game and drawing another three to find themselves in tenth position, however, only two points from a top-six birth.

After an extremely disappointing 2006 campaign where the Knights avoided relegation on the final day, the Sunshine-based club has recruited strongly in hope of building a team that can challenge for the Championship. In have come ex-South Melbourne players Steve Iosifidis and Alex Kiratzoglou as well as prolific Premier League marksman Joe Spiteri.

These three players along with experienced custodian Adrian Cagalj give the Knights a strong and dependable spine that has been proven at the highest level of football in Australia.

The Knights have supplemented their squad with up-and-coming players in Stefan Piorkowski, Dario and Hrvoje Matkovic, Neven Antic, Matthew Grbesa, and 17 year old prodigy Mate Dugandzic with Coach Chris Taylor having no doubt elected to try and weld a squad that achieves a quality balance of youth and experience.

In the South camp, young winger Vasilios Natsioulas is likely to return after overcoming a groin injury with the rest of the lineup fairly settled with Tansel Baser still having 2 more games of his suspension to serve and colossal defender Con Blatsis trying to get his body right for a return sometime during the campaign.

Coach John Anastasiadis made some surprise changes to his starting eleven against Oakleigh two weeks ago starting both Yusuf Yusuf and Nicholas Curtis. Perhaps Anastasiadis was forced to ring some changes after the incredibly lackluster performance of his team the week before against Green Gully. Both players did reasonably well with Curtis in particular producing a gritty and battling performance.

Encouraging for South has been the form of its new recruits. In from striker Ricky Diaco continues to stand out for the Lakeside-based club scoring against Oakleigh last week to take his season’s tally to four goals and as well as providing a constant threat and target for South.

Flying winger Trent Waterson has also settled in very quickly to life at Bob Jane Stadium, putting in some scintillating performances on the right wing and showing an incredible ease to fly past his marker and whip in quality crosses.

If South can find its rhythm and settle in early to the free-flowing style of football it has the ability to produce, Chris Taylor’s men may struggle to get a positive result. That said, the Knights have some experienced and quality personnel in their lineup and will no doubt be eager to avenge last season’s 7-0 humiliation during their 2006 visit to Bob Jane Stadium.

Wednesday, 11 April 2007 1:23 PM

Following recent discussions with Victoria Police, Football Federation Victoria and the Melbourne Knights, South Melbourne FC wishes to announce that it will be implementing a “South Melbourne FC Members ONLY” entry policy at Bob Jane Stadium this coming Sunday 15th April.

As managers of the venue, SMFC in consultation with relevant local stakeholders has elected to implement this policy so it can act responsibly and in the best interests of the local community.

South Melbourne FC wishes to promote the safety and enjoyment of participants and spectators at the venue.

Foxtel Cup Rd 6 – SMFC v Melbourne Knights
Date: Sunday 15th April
Time: 3pm
Venue: Bob Jane Stadium

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