Author: SMFC Media

Wednesday, 28 February 2007 9:51 AM

The VPL 2007 season kicks off with the now regular opening fixture between Australian football heavyweights South Melbourne and Heidelberg United. The Bob Jane Stadium clash is likely to attract a bumper crowd.

South in particular, have assembled a squad full of depth and experience that appears to have achieved the crucial balance of experience and youth.

With players such as Trent Waterson, Yusef Yusef, Nathan Caldwell and Ricky Diaco signing over the summer, Coach John Anastasiadis has at his disposal his strongest squad to date since being at the helm of Australia’s most decorated club.

South has managed to retain the services of most the key members from last season’s Championship triumph. South best and fairest winner Fernando Moraes, fresh from signing a new two year deal, will no doubt be out to re-affirm his status as one of the most exciting and talented players in the State.

Moraes joins the likes of Dean Anastasiadis, Con Blatsis, Tansel Baser, Ramazan Tavsancioglu, Vasilios Natsioulas, Arthur Tsonis and Gianni De Nittis as core Championship winning players who will no doubt play a massive role in South’s plight this season.

Encouraging for South has been the pre-season form of new signing and VPL Player of the Year in 2005, Ricky Diaco, who in 3 starts for the club has managed to score 3 goals whilst providing a bustling physical presence up front, not to mention managing to show a tremendous understanding
with Brazilian Moraes.

In the Heidelberg camp, the most notable signings added to Coach Con Pappas’ squad are ex-South Melbourne midfield hard-man George Goutzioulis as well as experienced Premier League goalkeeper Pasi Schwalger who has moved from Green Gully in the summer to no doubt take the keeping duties
from the brilliant Lou Acevski who after years of service with Heidelberg has gone to the Preston Lions.

Both teams will be eager to start the season positively and with a big crowd expected and many quality players on show, a fascinating and exciting encounter awaits.

South Melbourne FC v Heidelberg United
Date: Sunday 4th March
Venue: Bob Jane Stadium
Kick off: 6pm

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

Monday, 26 February 2007 1:35 PM

By Petros Kosmopoulos

South Melbourne and Heidelberg share one of the fiercest rivalries in Australian soccer spanning 47 years. They have played some classics, including the 4-2 win South Melbourne recorded in the final of the Southern Division Championship in 1984. Crowds have flocked to these encounters irrespective of the two teams’ respective ladder positions.

It was quite appropriate that Heidelberg United, known in the 1960s as Fitzroy Alexander, provided South Melbourne with its first ever ‘hit-out’ as a club in January 1960, albeit a practice match a few weeks after the Middle Park club was formed. Alexander had been formed a couple of years earlier by the Clifton Hill Social Club, comprising of Greeks from the region of Macedonia, Northern Greece, but wasn’t playing in any official competition. On the day, Alexander ran out winners 3-2. It would take Alexander 13 years before it would defeat South Melbourne again. In that period South Melbourne dominated their league and cup encounters and even recorded thumping wins, including a 7-3 win in 1966 with Greek superstar and AEK Athens great Con Nestoridis as captain/coach and a 7-1 win in 1970.

In their 69 derby games between 1960 and 1992, South Melbourne defeated Heidelberg 35 times, lost on 19 occasions (those defeats were experienced primarily in the late 1970s and early 1980s) and they shared the points 15 times. In that period, they had only recorded a scoreless draw 4 times. Of the 213 goals scored, South Melbourne scored 122.

Their first official game in 1964 in the State League of Victoria as described by Sporting Globe:

Hellas scored first at 32 minutes, when Kosmopoulos, from the goal line, found a gap in the Alexander defence and passed to Papadopoulos in front who scored.

Alexander replied at 43 minutes when Mastrovasilis scored from a penalty.

One minute later the Kosmopoulos-Papadopoulos combination struck again for Hellas, when the small Greek inside right picked up a pass three yards out and scored.

Alexander put up a good fight in the second half but couldn’t break through the strong Hellas defence.

TEAMS:

SM: Vamvakas, Kalogyrou, Mantarakis, T. Xanthopoulos, Ieremiadis, Pyrgolios, Papadopoulos, Adams, J. Anderson, Bedford, Kosmopoulos

ALEXANDER: Service, K. Xanthopoulos, Glennie, McLaughlin, Petridis, Gikas, Mangopoulos, Hasty, Spiridakos, Rakovalis, Mastrovasilis, Hatzigeorgiou.

Sunday, 25 February 2007 10:52 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne enters the 2007 Premier League season with undoubtedly one of the most talented squads ever assembled at the elite state league level.

A squad bristling with Australian representation, national league experience and some of the best young talent in the country has been assembled by coach John Anastasiadis and the South Melbourne Football Department with the view of entertaining and securing a 2nd consecutive Premier League championship.

We took a closer look at the players, noting some of their footballing achievements and representative honors.

Starting in goals South can rely on dual Premier League goalkeeper of the year Dean Anastasiadis. A player who has represented the Australian senior team as well as spending countless years in the National League and winning a national Championship with the Wollongong Wolves.

South has a tremendous amount of depth in its defensive stocks, depth that would be the envy not only of the Victorian Premier League but perhaps even A-League clubs.

Colossal defender Con Blatsis has played in the English Premier League for Derby County as well having a long stint in the Turkish league. A representative of Australia at under-23 level, Blatsis when fit is still one of the best defenders in Australia.

Blatsis’s experience is matched by Tansel Baser who after many years plying his trade in Turkey was inspirational in leading South Melbourne to last year’s championship. Baser has also played for the Australian under 23 team.

Ramazan Tavsancioglu the versatile wingback who can also play in the centre of defence burst onto the local scene in 2005 with a superb debut season for South after spending a couple of seasons in Turkey. Tavsancioglu also managed to secure a short-term deal with the Melbourne Victory towards the end of the inaugural A-League season, starting in 3 games.

In Arhur Tsonis South possess a lion-heart defender who ever since moving to South Melbourne from Whittlesea in 2005 has developed his game tremendously, figuring prominently in forming the best defence in the 2005 season and recently being selected by coach Phil Stubbins to represent Victoria on the yearly Asian Tour.

South’s defensive young guns are some of the brightest defensive prospects in the country. Steven O’Dor returns from a year with the AIS that saw him break into the Australian under-20 squad as well as finish the year off playing 4 games for the New Zealand Knights in the A-League.

Dino Djulbic has already agreed to a contract for the upcoming A-League season with the Perth Glory with the ball playing centre back, who is tremendous in the air, tipped to play at least half a season for South this season.

Sammy DeVito presents a rarity in the Australian football scene, a naturally left-footed left back who after switching from the VIS and the South youth team has effortlessly adapted to Premier League football, being a consistent fixture in the South starting eleven over the past two seasons.

Jasper Valentijn is a Dutch youngster who has been signed this season to add depth to the South defence. Showing quite some promise during pre-season, Valentjin like many youngsters at South will hopefully develop his game and eventually push for a first eleven position.

Spotted playing State 2 for Clifton Hill last season, Frank Drakopoulos has been signed as defensive cover but has shown during pre-season that the he can comfortably handle the jump in plying standards. Drakopoulos is a well-built and aggressive defender who plays with his heart on his sleeve.

In the centre of the park South have 2006 club best and fairest winner and Brazilian maestro, Fernando Moraes. Moraes also finished 3rd in the overall best Premier League player of the year award, even though he missed a fair chunk of the season trialing overseas. The Brazilian has played futsal for Corinthians back in Brazil and finished 2006 with a stint with A-League club the New Zealand Knights.

Out wide Vasilios Natsioulas is an extremely talented and silky winger who featured regularly in the last 2 seasons for the Melbourne Knights in the National Soccer League. If Natsioulas can avoid injury, the South flyer can take the Premier League by storm.

Recent signing Trent Waterson is regarded as one of the brightest midfield talents in the state. Crossing over from the Sunshine Georgies, Waterson almost won a contract with A-League based club the Queensland Roar last season with his signing denied after coach Miron Bleiberg resigned. Waterson can create from out wide as well as get his name consistently on the score sheet.

Andrew Bourakis is an exciting and versatile midfield youngster who spent a couple of seasons at the Panathinaikos academy. Bourakis is renowned for his set-piece taking ability and adds depth to the South squad.

The versatile and extremely talented Yusuf Yusuf is guaranteed to excite South fans throughout the coming season. After crossing from Heidelberg, the enigmatic striker who can also play out wide is one of the most technically gifted players in the State and spent a great part of 2005 training with A-League club the Melbourne Victory.

Rounding up South’s midfield line is youngster Nick Curtis who managed to break through and secure himself a respectable amount of first team appearances last season. Curtis was largely deployed on the wing but is a natural central midfielder and gives Coach John Anastasiadis further flexibility in the centre of the park.

Up front, Nathan Caldwell has crossed from the Melbourne Knights this season and is a proven goal scorer at this level scoring 8 times for the Knights last season. Caldwell is expected to challenge for a starting eleven birth and adds depth to the South attack.

Exciting youngster Gianni De Nittis burst onto the scene in 2006 with 8 goals, 3 in the finals campaign, after being handed a first eleven role with the departure of Kevin Nelson and skipper Vaughn Coveny. A very gifted player technically, De Nittis will be out to confirm his status as one of the most exciting young forwards in the country.

Crossing over from the Bulleen Zebras is 2005 Premier League player of the season Ricky Diaco. An immense physical presence up front who is superb on the ground, Diaco was selected for the last Australian Futsal World Cup squad but declined the invitation because of commitments with his outdoor career. An inaugural member of Melbourne Victory’s first ever A-League squad, Diaco will be keen to show the whole of Australia his immense talent.

South have no doubt built a squad which at least on paper will push hard for a second successive crown. With season 2007 seeing many clubs strengthen their playing stocks, South Melbourne FC is well positioned to once again challenge for championship honors.

The South Melbourne FC football family wishes the 2007 squad the best of luck for the upcoming season.

Friday, 23 February 2007 11:03 AM

South Melbourne FC is proud about having passionate supporters of all ages and children are no exception! Young people are the future of every club and South has been blessed with excellent youth programs and exceptional players that consistently achieve results of the highest standard. The club appreciates our younger supporters and acknowledges that they are an important part of the South Melbourne family. As a result, SMFC is working hard to offer those under 16 years of age incentives to sign up for a junior membership in season 2007.

Sunday’s (25th February 2007) FREE Family Fun Day at Bob Jane Stadium is the first opportunity for children to sign up for a junior membership. Junior memberships are also free and the club encourages as many young South Melbourne supporters to sign up as possible. Friends and family are more than welcome to attend the family day and sign up to be a part of the ever-growing SMFC family too!

A junior membership enables quick and easy access to every single South Melbourne home game in 2007. In addition, the member will receive an invitation to a clinic held on the famous Bob Jane Stadium pitch, led by South’s Victorian Championship winning players.

Another exciting opportunity that junior members can expect this year is an entry into a draw to be the team mascot for a home game. This will allow the lucky recipient the opportunity to:

* Spend some time in the South changing rooms before the game, soaking up the atmosphere and hearing coach John Anastasiadis’ team talk;
* Lead the team out onto the pitch with captain Dean Anastasiadis;
* Be a part of the team photo and receive a copy signed by every player!
* Flip the coin to start the match between Dean and the opposition captain;
* Spend the match on the SMFC bench on the sidelines.

Every entry into the Team Mascot draw will also be in the running to be ball boys/girls at SMFC home games.

Junior members are encouraged to sign up before Round 1 for the chance to win one of these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities when SMFC kicks off their 2007 season against traditional rivals Heidelberg United on Sunday March 4.

For more information on junior memberships please contact George on 0423 906 411.

Conditions: Junior Members must be under the age of 16 as at 1st January, 2007

Tuesday, 20 February 2007 12:50 PM

With football the talk of the town this week, join in the hype at a free event where Melburnians can soak up some great football atmosphere.

South Melbourne FC – located at Bob Jane Stadium in Albert Park – is holding their Family Day on Sunday, 25th February, on the grounds overlooking the lake.

Some of the best players in Victoria will be there running a clinic for juniors, and a whole host of fun activities are planned for children and adults alike. There’ll be food and drinks available, so come on down and see the wonderful facilities that Bob Jane Stadium has to offer.

As the reigning champions of the Victorian Premier League, SMFC has a great history, both as a club and as a team.

South Melbourne cordially invites the community to come along, have some fun, and support a club that has been an important part of the sporting and social fabric of Victoria for nearly fifty years.

. 9am – SMFC U/21s v SMFC U/18s
. 11am – SMFC Seniors v Brunswick City
. Clinics
. Face Painting
. Rides

For more information please contact Nicki on 9645 9797 or media@smfc.com.au

Monday, 19 February 2007 12:12 AM

South Melbourne FC continues its aggressive push into maintaining the quality of its playing stocks going forward with a further 5 players who participated in last year’s Vodafone Cup triumph signing on for a further two years.

Ramazan Tavsancioglu, Tansel Baser, Sammy DeVito, Gianni De Nittis and Andrew Bourakis have all penned new two year deals which will secure their services to South Melbourne to at least the end of the 2008 season.

Tavsancioglu, Baser, De Vito and De Nittis were all regular first eleven starters last season with the players showcasing the undoubted unity that has been achieved under Coach John Anastasiadis by committing their immediate futures to the club.

Tavsancioglu experienced A-League football last season whilst Tansel Baser was an outstanding servant of the NSL before spending numerous seasons in Turkey. De Nittis and DeVito represent two of the best young players in Victorian if not Australian football with both producing performances of immense maturity over the last two seasons. Finally, Bourakis showed glimpses of his quality last season and adds further depth to South’s squad with his ability to play in the centre of the park or out wide, not to mention his quality at set pieces.

The above mentioned players join Fernando Moraes, Ricky Diaco and Yusuf Yusuf as players who have recently committed to the club for the next two years.

Friday, 16 February 2007 10:34 AM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce Brazilian maestro and South Melbourne 2006 best and fairest winner Fernando Moraes has penned a new two year contract with the club.

Moraes has been a revelation since making his debut for South during the 2005 season slotting into a free-roaming attacking midfield role and terrorizing defenses with his ability to take on players as well as create and score goals. Moraes finished with 12 goals last season, many of which were decisive in South’s push towards the championship.

The silky midfielder also finished third in Vodafone Cup “Gold Medal”, which recognizes the most outstanding player in the competition, even though he missed a significant chunk of games whilst trialing overseas.

Furthermore, the Brazilian’s talents were spotted by A-League club New Zealand Knights during the current season with Moraes managing a handful of appearances for the club and thus joining the ever-growing list of current South Melbourne players with top-flight experience.

With the confirmation of Moraes’ signing South Melbourne FC further confirms its commitment to keeping its best players at the club whilst seeking to improve its squad at all times.

The South Melbourne FC football family wishes Fernando a successful 2007 campaign.

Monday, 12 February 2007 9:40 PM

South Melbourne FC is courting approaches by various private consortiums interested in becoming commercial partners with SMFC in any future A league bid.

An opportunity for a second Melbourne license will be available for the season commencing 2010 once a 5 year exclusivity clause, currently in place, expires for the foundation clubs in the Hyundai A League.

SMFC favors a private equity model as a vehicle for its A League license submission.

The club is excited that private institutional investors have confidence in the strength of South Melbourne FC’s unique globally recognized brand and end to end football infrastructure (from grass root juniors, youth, womens and senior mens teams).

South Melbourne FC is the most successful Australian football club. It boasts 4 National Championships (‘84,’91,’98,’99), 1999 Oceania Champions and participant in the inaugural FIFA 2000 World Club Championship in Brazil. It is the reigning 2006 Victorian Premier League Champion.

South Melbourne is based at Bob Jane Stadium in Albert Park and has many thousands of supporters and dormant members who would welcome its involvement in the A league. It is therefore obvious why consortiums are looking to leverage from South’s existing infrastructure in establishing a second A League club out of Melbourne.

South Melbourne FC is currently undertaking a due diligence process before it settles on any final commercial partner to proceed with a submission to the FFA for a second Melbourne A League license.

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

Sunday, 11 February 2007 12:01 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have triumphed in this season’s Hellenic Cup final defeating the Oakleigh Cannons 4-2 on penalties after regular and extra time saw both sides locked at one goal apiece.

South took the lead in the dying stages of the 2nd half with a well worked move and cut back down the right-hand side of the box that left Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes with a simple tap in from 8 or so yards to give South the advantage.

John Anastasiadis’s men had deserved their lead after controlling the majority of the game with new signing Ricky Diaco slotting in quite well and forming an almost instant understanding with Moraes.

The Cannons however managed to level the tie when referee Jim Ouliaris awarded a dubious penalty for a foul on the diminutive Juan Nilo. Nilo had worked his way into the South defensive area and seemed to stumble on the ball just as pressure was being applied, Ouliaris showed little hesitation in pointing to the spot with South players, lead by the ever passionate Tansel Baser, surrounding Ouliaris and fiercely voicing their disapproval.

Baser however took his anger a touch too far, placing his hands on Ouliaris when remonstrating and as a result the defensive midfielder received his marching orders.

Extra time saw South look to play for penalties, adjusting their formation with Diaco dropping deeper into midfield and Gianni De Nittis leading the attack on his own.

Oakleigh had a couple of decent half chances with Pelikan failing to connect when desperately sliding to meet a dangerous low ball to the back post, and former South Melbourne midfielder Michael Panopoulos sending his free-kick, from right on the edge of the South defensive area, low but straight at South custodian Dean Anastasiadis who did very well to glove the ball amongst a sea of players.

South were superb in the penalty shootout, all four takers, Diaco, Tavsancioglu, Moraes and Scottish trialist Jones sent Cannons keeper Stuart Webster the opposite way with dual Premier League goalkeeper of the year Dean Anatasiadis pulling off two superb saves to deny Esala Masi and Anthony Pelikan. Anastasiadis read Masi like book, diving to his left to comfortably save with the veteran custodian saving Pelikan’s effort with a trailing hand once again to his left.

Aside from the silky skills and presence of Diaco, further positives for South included the battling and gutsy performance of Frank Drakopoulos who in making the two-division jump from State League 2, has shown he is willing to work extremely hard to achieve the required standard.

Furthermore, the fact that South were missing the likes of Trent Waterson, Nathan Caldwell, Yusef Yusef, Steven O’Dor, Con Blatsis and Dino Djulbic, all proven high quality players, paints and extremely positive picture for the upcoming season.

Finally, the South players and coaching staff must be commended for surrounding injured youngster Reardo Luca and making him apart of the celebrations at the end of the match. Luca of course badly broke his leg in the early stages of the Hellenic Cup so it was a fitting and emotional ending to the night.

Thursday, 8 February 2007 12:00 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne FC are pleased to announce the further strengthening of its playing squad with the signing of 2004-2005 Premier League Gold Medal winner – Ricky Diaco.

Diaco joins from the Bulleen Zebras and brings a level of quality and flair in keeping with the traditional spirit of attacking and attractive football, synonymous with the South Melbourne name.

Ricky Diaco began to rise in prominence in the 2002-2003 season when he top scored for the then State 2 Springvale White Eagles as well as coming runner up in the State 2 player of the year voting that season.

Diaco then transferred to the then Premier League outfit Frankston Pines whilst continuing to play competitive Futsal at a high level, representing the Victorian state team. The 2004-2005 was a career peak for Diaco who was voted the best player in the Victorian Premier League as well as being invited to travel to South Korea to represent Australia in the Futsal World Cup.

Reflecting with some disappointment, Diaco acknowledges that declining the offer to represent his country at Futsal’s finest stage is a “big regret”, however, with an A-League contract on the table from the Melbourne Victory, Diaco’s career was gaining severe momentum.

After a disappointing A-League season in which the humble Diaco refuses to direct any negativity towards anyone, simply stating that “If I was given 3-4 games in a row to find sharpness and match fitness, I would’ve been able to show what I could offer, this is a problem that other players in the A-League are currently experiencing and when being called upon to perform are finding it very difficult to adjust”.

Diaco goes on to add, “playing in the A-League is possible for many players in the Victorian Premier League, the major difference is the extra sharpness, strength and fitness a player can obtain through the full-time setup, from a technical perspective, good players don’t have to make a big jump”.

When asked why he signed for South Melbourne, Diaco was full of praise for Coach John Anastasiadis. “When you have a coach who has been chasing you for three seasons and has repeatedly stated his full confidence in your ability, you begin to feel wanted and consider becoming part of the setup. When you add to the mix the amount of quality and experienced players at South, it’s wasn’t too hard of a decision”.

Diaco also shed some light on linking up with fellow Futsal enthusiast and South Melbourne best and fairest winner Fernando Moraes. “Yeah we have discussed that actually, we’d love to play for Victoria together and with the next World Cup scheduled for Brazil not to mention me having missed out on the World Cup previously, both Fernando and I have set that as somewhat of a goal”.

Diaco concludes the interview with a message to the supporters. “Above all I want to have a good season, play attractive football, score goals and create chances, I hope I’ll be able to show the South supporters my true ability and entertain them as well as repay the faith shown in me by the Coach and board”.

The South Melbourne football family is honored to have Ricky Diaco in its ranks and wishes him the best of luck for the upcoming season.