Author: SMFC Media

Wednesday, 22 November 2006 9:14 AM

The South Melbourne Football Club family is immensely saddened by the passing of a world footballing legend that had a special connection with the club it coached to one of it’s finest moments.

Ferenc Puskas will forever be fondly remembered at South Melbourne for leading the club to its second national championship in 1991.

The legendary Hungarian striker, who is considered one of the greatest ever players to grace the world game, he scored 83 goals in 84 internationals for Hungary, not to mention one of Real Madrid’s favorites sons, had an amazing impact down at Middle Park.

So awe-inspired were the South Melbourne players at the time that from day one they called the legendary man “Boss”.

His clout in the footballing landscape was so deep that upon being approached by the South President at the time, in regards to trouble with signing two “Juventus” players, Puskas assured the President that his relations with the staff of Serie A giants Juventus were excellent and as a result he could help achieve the transfer, of course, the President was referring to players from “Brunswick Juventus”, not the grand old lady and footballing giant of Italian football.

Puskas was notorious for being superb at man management and allowing his players to enjoy themselves on the park.

His influence and legacy at South Melbourne, will forever be remembered and appreciated by the South Melbourne family who were extremely privileged to be graced by the presence of a football immortal.

Friday, 3 November 2006 12:15 PM

The 2006 season has now come to an end and what an incredibly successful year it has been for all, from Under 8’s to Under 16’s. We are proud to announce that in season 2007 the Club will have four Super League Teams competing in the Under 13, Under 15, Under 16 and Under 18 competitions.

The South Melbourne Juniors Football Club fielded 11 Junior/Sub Junior teams and of the 8 Junior teams we achieved 1 x Premiership, 2 x Runners-up and 2 x Third placings.

Our three Sub Junior teams achieved excellent results and their development during the season was enormous and we expect a lot in the future from this fine crop of young players.

This year the Under 15’s and 16’s had twelve individual players represent the Club on different occasions in the Under 21 Premier League Reserve side. This current Committee has now achieved a clear career path with a direct link from our Under 8 Sub Juniors to Youth / Senior representation.

South Melbourne has a proud tradition in Australian Soccer and also has a reputation of producing some fine players from within its junior ranks. A recent example is Apostolos Giannou, who recently signed with Dutch giant PSV Eindhoven Youth Team at the age of 16. Apostolos was picked up from us last season by the Victorian Institute of Sport and has already represented and scored for Australia at youth level and believe me, there are a lot more coming from our junior structure.

We thank and acknowledge all the parents for the support they have given the club and for bringing their children to training nights and match days in rain hail and shine. Their prompt attendance ensured the smooth running of training sessions which is the most important component in their development.

A special thanks to all the coaches and team managers for their tireless efforts during the season assisting in the delicate preparation of our future senior players.

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Wednesday, 4 October 2006 10:42 AM

On Sunday 1st October, the Victoria Police Soccer Club held a Family Day at Bob Jane Stadium, to assist the Epworth Hospital Paediatric Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Unit. The day featured two matches – South Melbourne FC under 11’s versus Richmond SC under 11’s, with South winning the inaugural ABI Junior Cup 4-0. In the game for the ABI Cup, VPSC defeated Team Epworth HealthCare 3-0, with PSO Tony Sortino, A/Sgt Mark Amos and S/C Dean Kelly scoring for the VPSC. ABI patient Scot Richardson presented the Junior Cup to South’s captain, Chris, while A/Snr Sgt Tim Hansen of South Melbourne Police presented both junior teams with players medals. Judy Reddish (John & Lyla Harris Charitable Foundation) presented VPSC with the ABI Cup.

Police displays included a ‘Smart’ Car, Bike and Motorbike Patrol, Water Police, Mounted Branch and the Dog Squad. The highlight for kids of all ages was the arrival of the Police Airwing on the pitch where spectators were allowed to get up close and personal with the helicopter for photos. VPSC’s version of ‘Footballers’ Wives’ staffed a very popular sausage sizzle.

The day raised over $3,500.00 for the ABI Unit. During the presentations, VPSC captain, Senior Detective Ange Miljesic, confirmed this would definitely be an annual event. VPSC President, Senior Sergeant Ron Sinclair, thanked George Koukoulas and South Melbourne FC for once again generously supporting a community charitable event.

VPSC/Team Epworth HealthCare

Presentation of the Junior Cup to Chris

Chris in the Police Helicopter with the Junior ABI Cup.

Wednesday, 4 October 2006 10:42 AM

Last Saturday England and world footballing great Alan Shearer conducted a coaching clinic on the Bob Jan Stadium turf.

The day was organized by former SBS panelist and football commentator Andy Paschalidis with Shearer sneaking into the country with very little fanfare.

The Newcastle talisman conducted a 2 hour clinic with some very privileged youngsters who got some invaluable tips and life lasting memories from the “Toon” legend.

Shearer also was generous enough to take a picture holding the South Melbourne scarf; inspiring images of South’s well publicized goal-scoring problems of the past two seasons being solved by the Geordie great. Of course one can dream.

Monday, 25 September 2006 12:34 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have reclaimed their rightful position at the pinnacle of Victorian Football, winning their 8th Victorian championship with a hard fought, yet dominant 1-0 triumph against the Altona Magic.

South hung onto a solitary goal created by a superb Fernando Moraes cross which was met by youngster Gianni De Nittis who made no mistake in emphatically smashing home his 63rd minute header from point blank range to ultimately hand South the Championship.

South sprung an early surprise with the inclusion on the bench of young winger Vasilios Natsioulas. Natsioulas had suffered what was thought to be a season-ending injury against Oakleigh toward the latter stages of the season. However, the youngster managed to recover just in time to take his place on the South bench.

As assumed, Coach John Anastasiadis fielded the exact same lineup that managed to defeat Altona in the semi final stage. 2006 Goalkeeper of the year Dean Anastasiadis began in goals with a central defensive pairing of Dino Djulbic and Tansel Baser in front of him. The right and left back roles were patrolled by Rama Tavsancioglu and Sammy DeVito respectively. In the centre of the park Antonio Naglieri lined up in his usual defensive midfield role with Scot MacNicol playing in the more attacking advanced role. Out wide, George Tzirtis started on the right flank whilst Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes started on the left. Up front, the diminutive Andreas Oliveira continued his partnership with rising youngster Gianni De Nittis.

South started the game more brightly, dominating possession and generally seeming to be bossing the play. Only six minutes had passed when MacNicol won a tussle down the right side of the Altona box and sent in a deep back-post cross that was met by Naglieri who sent his header into the side netting. It was an early warning for the Magic who from the onset seemed content to soak up the pressure.

Chances were hard to carve out but Moraes did his best after 18 minutes, sending a 20 yard “daisy-cutter” towards goal that forced Altona keeper Bojo Jevdjevic into a sharp save down low.

Twenty-four minutes in and South should’ve gone ahead. Moraes had managed to get to the bi-line down the right hand side of the Altona box and whipped in a perfect back-post cross that Djulbic met with a quality header. The ball looked destined for the back of the net but somehow Jevdjevic miraculously flung his body at the ball and managed to deflect it onto the upright and out of danger. It was the sort of inspired save that can deflate confidence and make players second-guess their destiny for the day, but to the South player’s credit, they continued to dominate proceedings.

South continued to dominate possession in the 2nd half and kept waiting for the right opportunity to pounce. The chance came in the 55th minute after a South corner from the right fell to Baser, who shimmied before firing a shot that was blocked by the Altona defence. The ball fell to De Nittis who immediately played it wide to Moraes, the Brazilian produced a perfect cross into the 6 yard box that saw an unmarked Oliveira, although slightly stretching; send his reaching header onto the roof of the net with Jevdjevic beaten.

South were showing a great deal of maturity in controlling the contest and carved out another decent opening after 60 minutes. Again a quality ball from the right was met by De Nittis who had much to do with his eventual volleyed attempt across his body just failing to hit the target.

The South faithful were beginning to get a bit restless with John Anastasiadis’s men dominating and creating good openings but failing to show their superiority on the scoreboard.

South was calling for some inspiration and it was none other than Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes who provided it after 63 minutes. Stuck down the left corner of the pitch and with seemingly no space to move, Moraes’s trickery saw him work some space and produce a stunning left foot cross into the heart of the 6 yard box. De Nittis had stormed past his marker and was first to the ball to power home a text-book header, sending the majority pro-South crowd into delirium but more importantly, giving South a deserved lead.

By now the game had opened up fully and South were insistent on putting it beyond doubt by scoring a second. Some brilliant interplay on the edge of the area in the 77th minute saw the ball fall to Tzirtis who from 20 yards out and with plenty of time, failed to get his dipping strike on target.

The Magic tried to lift their tempo but the resolute and disciplined South defence was not letting anything get past reducing Altona to having to rely on set pieces to produce any attacking threat.

South brought on Natsioulas in the 73rd minute for MacNicol in order to inject some freshness and enthusiasm down the right wing with the youngster immediately showing his desire for the occasion by providing an outlet down the right.

After 79 minutes an Altona free kick from well outside the box was chipped into a dangerous area that saw a Magic player meet the ball on the volley and nearly chip Anastasiadis who was thankful to the see the ball go over the crossbar.

Altona were then reduced to ten men when after having made all their 3 substitutes, they lost another player through serious injury.

The Magic did however force a decent save out of Anastasiadis in the 87th minute when, backed by a gale-force wind, ex-Perth Glory player Daniel Vasilevski produced a stunning 30 yard effort that was headed for the top right-hand corner but was always covered by Anastasiadis who even though was scurrying, managed to tip the ball over and out for a corner.

South could’ve added another during stoppages when Natsioulas released Oliveira down the right hand side of the Altona box with South in a 3-on-2 position. Oliveira chose to cut inside and try and curl his effort around Jevdjevic, but unfortunately for South the ex-Morwell Falcons custodian gloved easily with Oliveira perhaps better offer squaring the ball back to Natsioulas who had an open shot from 12 or so yards out.

Oliveira’s miss however was instantly forgotten when referee Damir Basic whistled the end of proceedings, signaling the return of Australia’s most historic club back to the pinnacle of the state football and just reward for all the players, coaching staff, board members and supporters, who managed to resurrect South back to its rightful standing after nearly facing extinction just a short 2 and a half years ago.

Thursday, 21 September 2006 4:01 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

The climax to a long season finally arrives this Sunday when a new Champion of the Vodafone Cup will be crowned. Both participants South Melbourne and Altona not only go into the encounter carrying great belief and confidence of the required result, but are also extremely worthy of finding themselves in the most prestigious fixture of the season.

South of course swept into the final after defeating Green Gully and the Magic in consecutive weeks to earn a week off, whilst Altona overcame minor premiers Oakleigh and Heidelberg on their journey towards Vodafone Cup glory.

Interesting for South will be how John Anastasiadis’s men respond to having a week off. A match last Saturday against State 2 outfit Clifton Hill was organized to help maintain match sharpness with all players having a decent hit-out.

Altona of course will have the extra motive of defeating South after loosing 1-2 a couple of weeks ago in their semi-final showdown.

On that day, South youngster Gianni De Nittis grabbed a double with veteran custodian Dean Anastasiadis producing two critical saves to ensure the Albert Park-based club were first to secure a place in Sunday’s finale.

South are no doubt aware of the need to minimize the influence of Gold Medal winner Saso Becvinovski who with his 18 goals so far this season remains major source of goals for the western suburbs based club.

Becvinovski was held relatively quiet in the semi final between both sides, but was still granted a glorious opportunity to score after a static South defence let the striker in. On that occasion Dean Anastasiadis produced a superb one-on-one save but it these sorts of defensive lapses that South cannot afford if it is to lift the Vodafone Cup.

Becvinoski aside, Altona have dangerous players all over the park. The Delev brothers Kole and Koce along with the Razov brothers Ivan and Tomi plus the exciting Daniel Vasilevski, bring quality and youthful exuberance to a side that is sprinkled with seasoned performers such as ex-South defender Levent Osman and ex-Morwell Falcons keeper Bojo Jevdjevic.

Injury wise, South has a full squad to choose from, excluding the season ending injuries suffered by Arthur Tsonis and Vasilios Natsioulas whilst colossal defender Con Blatsis has succumbed to the culmination of a few niggling injuries which have ruled him out.

South will therefore pretty much rely on the same starting 11 that got the job done against Altona last time, as well as Green Gully with the injuries and departures experienced by the club throughout the season limiting the depth at South’s disposal.

Crucial to South winning will be the ability to find the back of the net. Since the departure of club Captain Vaughn Coveny and Trinidad and Tobago native Kevin Nelson, South hasn’t had the attacking depth it did earlier in the season. However, the emergence of young striker Gianni De Nittis who has chipped in with 7 goals this season sees the young striker carry an immense responsibility in Sunday’s encounter.

With South on the verge of re-claiming a place a-top football in the state, all South Melbourne faithful are encouraged to show up in support of John Anastasiadis’s men who over the course of the season, have written yet another worthy chapter in the famous history of the blue and whites.

Thursday, 21 September 2006 11:34 AM

Two years ago South Melbourne was on the brink of extinction.

Having been told that their chances of National League re-admittance were next to none, the club went into administration.

Through the loyal support and passion of its faithful supporters, the club was able to re-emerge and now two years later, finds itself in the Grand Final of the state’s premier football competition – the Vodafone Cup.

The South Board, coaching staff, players and supporters should all be commended for sticking by the club in its hour of need.

Through all stakeholders’ collective effort, the club now has a base to continue its legacy of winning trophies and continuing to add to the aura and tradition of the South Melbourne name.

The squad that Coach John Anastasiadis has put together embodies the South Melbourne spirit. A talented mix of experienced and youthful players who have shown over the last two years a level of commitment and effort that makes South Melbourne supporters immensely proud.

This Sunday the South Melbourne family asks for your support.

A solid attendance will propel the players to that next level and help ensure that the club adds another trophy to the nation’s most coveted trophy cabinet. Furthermore, it will cap off a remarkable recovery from only 2 years ago, when the future direction and existence of the club was highly doubtful.

Together we will prosper.

Thursday, 21 September 2006 11:33 AM

On the 17 of September South Melbourne Football Club will embark on an ambitious project when they sent fourteen young men from their Championship winning Super League team on a twelve-day tour of France but this trip is far from being a sightseeing junket. The aim is to give these young men, aged between thirteen and fourteen, a taste of the full-time European football environment and some experience in comparing their skills with their French counterparts. This is the second trip for the group. Last year they had a very successful trip to Italy training at AC Milan and Juventus. They learn a great deal and their technique and ball mastery improved significantly.

Led by South Melbourne coach Jean-Marc Imbert, the young men will play four games against Paris St Germain and the world renowned French academy team at Clairefontaine. Instead of entering one of the many tournaments organised across Europe, South Melbourne Football Club has organised the matches against Paris St Germain and the French Academy at the training venues because they feel that doing so would have a greater overall benefit for the players. Next year, when most of the squad will be in Under 15’s, the intention would be to apply the lesson learnt on the trips to AC Milan, Juventus, Paris St Germain and the French Academy to compete in an European tournament and face the pressure of needing to win every match they played.

The schedule is extremely demanding with players having to train twice a day and play games at night. They will also have the opportunity to visit the stadiums, watch two Ligue 1 games and one UEFA Champion League game. During the week they will also get the opportunity to watch the stars of Paris St Germain and the French Espoir team train. You are welcomed to follow the progress of the touring party by logging on our website.

Wednesday, 20 September 2006 8:58 PM

South Melbourne has featured prominently in the FFV’s yearly gala presentation night that honors the best achieving players in the state.

Veteran custodian Dean Anastasiadis took out the Men’s Goalkeeper of the year award for the second consecutive year whilst female compatriot Afifa Saad took out the women’s award.

Former South youngster Paul Giannou who is now at the VIS took out the Weinstein Medal which honors the best youth player in the state.

Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes came third in the prestigious Gold Medal award no doubt paying the price for his mid-season trial in Greece which saw the Brazilian miss a handful of games. Moraes finished on 23 votes, just four behind Altona marksman Sash Becvinovski.

Courageous South defender and loyal club man Tansel Baser also polled well finishing equal sixth on 19 votes.

The South Melbourne family extends its warmest congratulations to the achievements of these players who with their exploits on the pitch continue the South Melbourne legacy of producing excellence.

Sunday, 10 September 2006 9:47 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

The South Melbourne triumphant spirit has returned in full force. Backed by a Gianni De Nittis double and a superb goal keeping display by veteran custodian Dean Anastasiadis, South Melbourne have reached the 2006 Vodafone Cup grand final, defeating the Altona Magic by 2 goals to one and now sit patiently with a week off to see who there opponents in the final will be.

Coach John Anastasidis sent out an almost exact replica of the team that took the field against Green Gully with the sole change seeing midfielder George Tzirtis come into the starting eleven in place of the injured Con Blatsis.

Tzirtis’s inclusion caused a minor reshuffle with Tansel Baser slotting into a central defensive role and Tzirtis starting on the left of midfield.

The South lineup read as follows. Dean Anastasiadis started in goals. Dino Djulbic and Tansel Baser formed the central defensive pairing with Rama Tavsancioglu and Sammy DeVito playing the right and left back roles respectively. In the centre of the park Antonio Naglieri played in the holding role with Scot MacNicol playing the attacking midfield role. On the flanks Brazilian maestro Fernano Moraes started on the right with George Tzirtis on the left. Up front youngster Gianni De Nittis partnered the diminutive Andreas Oliveira.

South started the encounter brightly when as early as the 2nd minute a free kick from the left made its way dangerously into the heart of the Altona box. Altona custodian Bojo Jevdjevic was all at sea, failing to punch away with the ball eventually falling to the back post, where a South player, not expecting the ball to make its way to him, hesitated with the ball deflecting just over.

South nearly went ahead in the 9th minute after some superb work down the right flank by Moraes saw the Brazilian produce a deep cross that fell to Tzirtis. Tzirtis cut the ball back to the oncoming MacNicol who from just outside the box, unleashed a rising rocket-like effort that narrowly whizzed over the crossbar.

A minute later and a superb ball down the right flank by Baser saw South away again. The eventual low cutback fell to Naglieri who from just inside the box scuffed his shot and failed to test Jevdjevic when his positioning really demanded he at least hit the target.

Altona had their first decent chance after 12 minutes when Pece Cergovski unleashed a decent strike that saw Anastasiadis down at full stretch with the ball trickling just past the upright.

With 25 minutes played South Melbourne almost succumbed to a shocking decision from the Assistant Referee. Two Altona players had strayed a good meter or so offside but the Assistant Referee kept his flag down. Altona broke down the left wing and played a quality ball to the South back post where an Altona player was waiting to smash home. Fortunately for South, DeVito read the situation superbly well and managed to get a foot to the ball lunging at full stretch.

Thirty minutes had been played when South missed a golden opportunity. Moraes had disposed an Altona player in the centre of the park. The Brazilian quickly broke forward and timed his pass perfectly, releasing De Nittis down the left hand side of the Altona box. De Nittis attempted an angled drove with his less preferred left foot with the ball failing to test Jevdjevic and rolling out for a goal kick.

South had a claim for a penalty after 38 minutes when Oliveira was bundled over after an Altona defender had clearly leant on him and put his hand on the striker’s back. Referee Hakan Anaz no doubt felt the contact was minimal and waved play on immediately.

The second half had only just begun when South wasted some superb work by Tavsancioglu. The super quick right back had managed to just keep the ball in down the right flank with his competing Altona player assuming the ball was going out. Tavsancioglu raced to the edge of the box and squared low for De Nittis who from the edge of the area and again on his less preferred left side, struck air.

South continued to apply the majority of the pressure. This time Oliveira produced a good strike from just outside the box in the 60th minute that Jevdjevic looked uncomfortable in punching away. Altona however hadn’t cleared the danger with South playing the ball along the edge of the area with Moraes eventually working some space down the left hand side of the box and firing his angled drive straight into the gloves of Jevdjevic.

Altona then tried to step up a gear. A 69th minute 25 yard pile-driver that was laid off from a free kick saw Anastasiadis firmly behind the ball to glove well down low.

A minute later and South should’ve been behind after static defending and miscommunication saw the league’s top scorer Saso Becvinovski through on goal and with only Anastasiadis to beat. Becvinovski looked certain to score, trying to angle his effort past Anastasiadis but the veteran custodian winded back the years to spread himself superbly and manage to get a deflection on Becvinovski’s effort to see it trickle wide for a corner.

Three minutes later and South were ahead. Naglieri played a brilliant through ball to Oliveira down the right hand side of the Altona box. With much still to do, Oliveira kept his cool and stood on the ball when the Altona defence was expecting a shot. The diminutive striker then cut the ball across goal to the back post where an unmarked Gianni De Nittis was on hand to smash home and give South the advantage.

Altona immediately lifted their intensity and should’ve leveled after 83 minutes when Becvinovski found the ball at his feet with his back to goal, 6 or so yards out. The Altona striker laid it the ball off to the right with the incoming Igor Arsovski denied, again at point blank range, by the brilliant keeping instincts of Anastasiadis.

A minute later and Oliveira almost sealed the encounter in South’s favor after the former Perth SC striker found himself down the left flank with only a defender to beat. Oliveira did well to keep the ball close and create a yard of space with the diminutive striker eventually unleashing a curling effort from 20 yards that had Jevdjevic beaten but sailed narrowly passed the right upright.

On 88 minutes South wrapped up the game after Altona had committed too many players forward searching for an equalizer. Moraes took the ball deep into the Altona half and spotted De Nittis pealing off his marker and all alone in the box. Moraes played De Nittis in, who with immense calmness and composure, calmly slotted past Jevdjevic for his seventh of the season, sending the South faithful into delirium in the process.

To Altona’s credit they didn’t give up, managing to score a consolation goal right on full time after Djulbic had given away a free kick just outside the South box and directly in front of goal. Up stepped ex-Perth Glory midfielder Daniel Vasilevski who produced a truly wonderful free kick, smashing the ball into the top left-hand corner with ferocious power and leaving Anastasiadis with no chance.

Vasilevski’s goal however took little shine off a brilliant day for South Melbourne, who showed their appreciation for their immense support by engaging in an exchange of “oles” and bows with their loyal travelling faithful.