Author: SMFC Media

Saturday, 24 September 2005 5:54 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

Inspirational South custodian Dean Anastasiadis has been declared the undisputed Club Champion at the Season 2005 Review.

Consistent and brilliant throughout the entire campaign, Anastasiadis was the hot tip of many to run away with the award.

An enjoyable night was had by all attendees who witnessed a tight count throughout with Anastasiadis, Con Blatsis, Vaughn Coveny and the fast finishing Ramazan all within a whisker of each other coming into the final few rounds of voting.

Besides taking home the Club Champion award, Anastasiadis also picked up the Clarendon Corner Supporter’s Player of the Year award, as well as being the preferred choice amongst his team-mates who voted the veteran goalkeeper their Player of the Season.

Humble in his acceptance, Anastasiadis apologised for not sending the Lakeside-based club through to the Grand Final after missing a decisive penalty against Green Gully which would’ve done the job.

The Club Champion reflected on a season which began with literally nothing and thanked the supporters of the club for providing the team with constant inspiration.

Big congratulations must also go to Ramazan who picked up the Club Under 21 player of the year award and received the same accolade from the Clarendon Corner. Of note was that the young South wingback also placed 2nd overall in the Club Champion award, a sterling effort for a player who trialled extensively throughout the pre-season before cementing his spot in the squad.

The night concluded with a heartfelt speech from Club Coach John Anastasiadis who thanked all of his players for their strength in character and performance as well as thanking the entire South family for their contribution to a truly remarkable campaign.

Thursday, 22 September 2005 3:29 PM

On the 19 of September South Melbourne FC will embark on an ambitious project when they sent thirteen young men from their Championship winning Super League team on a twelve-day tour of Italy but this trip is far from being a sightseeing junket. The aim is to give these young men, who were aged between thirteen and fourteen, a taste of the full-time football environment and some enxperience in playing real matches against Italian teenage teams.

Led by South Melbourne coach Jean-Marc Imbert, the young men will play four games against AC Milan and Juventus of Turin. Instead of entering one of the many tournaments organised across Europe, South Melbourne Football Club has organised the matches against the AC Milan and Juventus Academies at the training venues because they feel that doing so would have a greater overall benefit for the players. They will learn from the experience rather than face the pressure of needing to win every match they played, as would have been the case in a tournament.

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 Serie A games and one Champion League game. During the week they will also get the opportunity to watch the stars of AC Milan and Juventus of Turin train.

You are welcomed to follow the progress of the touring party by logging on the South Melbourne website.

Monday, 12 September 2005 12:05 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne’s expectation defying season has come to an end after a solitary first half goal from Heidelberg midfielder Nick Sabljak was enough to see the Bergers through to the 2005 Vodafone Premier League Grand Final.

A match that many wished had occurred on the final day of the season was forced into a 30 minute delay after a stream of late arriving supporters formed a seemingly endless que just before kick-off, all the more phenomenal when one considers the poor weather no doubt kept thousands more at home.

With Con Blatsis missing through injury, Coach John Anastasiadis handed promising youngster Steven O’Dor a start in the centre of defence alongside the giant frame of Arthur Tsonis. Fellow youngsters Sammy DeVito and Ramazan took up their customary positions at right and left back respectively. In the centre of the park Arthur Tsirtsakis started in the anchor defensive midfield position with Kosta Salapasidis used as an attacking central midfielder. Out wide the silky skills of Fernando and the hard-working grit of Scott MacNicol were deployed on the right and left flanks leaving Captain Vaughan Coveny and Robbie Cattanach to lead the South frontline.

The game started somewhat patchy with both sides showing one another a great deal of respect. With so much on the line risk taking was kept minimal with two half-chance long range efforts from Heidelberg midfielder Eric Vassiliadis in the 4th and 13th minute, which both failed to hit the target, the only efforts on goal early on.

Sixteen minutes in and Salapasidis found himself in some space in the centre of the park. The ex-Parramatta player advanced forward and proceeded to unleash a strike that went well over Heidelberg custodian Lou Acevski’s crossbar.

In the 19th minute ex-South wingback Fausto De Amicis played in the leggy Yusef Yusef down the left flank. Yusef used some of his eye-catching trickery to cut inside and skip past his nearest South marker, eventually managing to unleash a low drive from just outside the box that Anastasiadis managed to cleanly glove down low.

Three minutes later and a square ball from the South midfield was misjudged by DeAmicis allowing for the alert Moraes to latch onto the error down the right flank near the edge of the Heidelberg box. Fernando attempted to shoot just as De Amicis was trying to close him down but unfortunately for South his attempt was heavily sliced, failing to test the keeper.

A South defensive lapse proved costly when a seemingly standard ball from defence to the centre of park was miscontrolled, allowing for the Bergers to seize possession deep in South’s defensive half. The error forced a dangerous foul 20 or so yards out from South’s goalmouth. Up stepped Nick Sabljak who attempted a placed curling effort that cannoned straight back to him off the South defensive wall. Sabljak however kept his head, controlling once and then unleashing a venomous 29th minute low drive from the edge of the area that rocketed past Anastasiadis and gave the Bergers the lead not to mention the all important psychological edge.

South failed to respond with their only decent attack of the first half arriving in the 41st minute after some slick work down the right flank by Fernando saw the Brazilian deliver a decent cross that the Heidelberg defence failed to convincingly clear. The bobbling clearance fell to Tsirtsakis who from the edge of the box couldn’t direct his volleyed attempt accurately enough to test Acevski.

Seconds before the half-time whistle Heidelberg produced a quality free-kick from 30 or so yards out. Heading straight for the bottom right corner, Anastasiadis did superbly well to shift his weight and produce a diving save to his left to keep South only a goal down at the interval.

Coach Anastasiadis had to make some changes at half time after South produced a totally in-effective first half display. On came Natsioulas for Tsirtsakis with MacNicol dropping into the centre of the park whilst Fernando shifted to the left flank and Natsioulas took up his customary position on the right.

The second half was only 3 minutes old when a shocking piece of miscommunication between Tsonis and Anastasiadis saw the ever alert Marinos pounce. Tsonis had played the ball back to the South keeper who hadn’t been expecting the ball. As a result, Anastasiadis scuffed his clearance with Marinos managing to intercept. Fortunately for South, the diminutive striker’s attempt was straight at Anastasiadis who gloved easily.

South came close to an equaliser after 52 minutes when NSW Premier League player of the year Robbie Cattanach found some space down the left hand side of the Heidelberg box. Cattanach sent an angle drive towards the bottom right corner that Heidelberg keeper Lou Acevski did superbly well to get a foot too, managing to slightly deflect the ball, but getting enough contact to see it past the upright.

Fifty-four minutes in and South seemingly had claims for a penalty. A nice interchange of passes down the left flank by Salapasidis and Fernando saw Salapasidis sneak into the edge of the Heidelberg area. As Salapasidis was motioning for a cross a thunderous challenge by the Bergers defence came in seemingly catching Salapisidis who stayed down for a while. However, in referee Perry Mur’s defence, there had been many similar incidents throughout the encounter with Mur no doubt choosing to approach the game in a slightly lenient yet consistent manner.

South’s earlier defensive lapse failed to be taken on board after more mucking about in the backline saw Marinos once again dispossess the South defence in the 56th minute. Marinos narrowed in on goal with seemingly only Anastasiadis to beat but as he was about to unleash, a scurrying South defence managed to put just enough pressure on him to make his eventual effort ill-directed, failing to test Anastasiadis.

In the space of 4 minutes South saw the game flash before their eyes. Firstly a Coveny break down the right saw the Kiwi international deliver a quality ball into the Heidelberg box. The ball was heavily contested but eventually fell to Fernando who from 10 yards out sent his angled 58th minute volley crashing into the crossbar with Acevski well beaten.

Then in the 62nd minute, a South strike from outside the box was clearly handled by a Heidelberg defender with referee Mur showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Fernando who produced a low, yet unconvincing side-foot effort that Acevski picked and saved superbly well to his left. One could not help but feel that Fernando’s effort was just a bit too casual for the occasion, the lack of attempt to fool the keeper proved costly, with the vastly experienced Acevski easily guessing the right way.

Heidelberg had been rattled and no doubt tried to step up a gear in the hope of burying the game. Two decent chances were created in the space of two minutes with the first effort a 65th minute angled drive from the left hand side that narrowly trickled past Anastasiadis left upright. The second notable chance saw a venomous 67th minute Sabljak free kick from the right cause the South defence all sorts of trouble with an effort eventually directed towards South’s goal only for DeVito to clear off the line.

South were still pushing forward and a 79th minute Natsioulas cross from the right saw Coveny rise and produce a solid header that Acevski did well to parry out for a corner.

Marinos then had two golden chances to ice the game. The first arrived in the 80th minute after a quality low cross from the right was latched onto by the lunging Bergers’ front-man who just failed to keep his effort under the crossbar. Then 87 minutes in, the ex-Oakleigh striker found himself one-on-one with O’Dor. Marinos intelligently kept the ball close to his feet, waiting for the right moment to slip the ball past the South defender. When the moment arrived Marinos found himself with only Anastasiadis to beat but saw his powerful effort cannon back off the crossbar.

South almost snatched an equaliser late on when a cross from the right was unconvincingly cleared and fell to Natsioulas. The South youngster got hold of a well placed volleyed attempt that unfortunately was blocked a metre or so in front of the goal-line with Acevski struggling to make ground.

Thursday, 8 September 2005 8:59 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

This Sunday sees two of Australia’s premier clubs not to mention eternal rivals square up against one another for a chance at a 2005 Vodafone Premier League Grand Final birth.

South Melbourne missed a golden opportunity at securing a week off and a Grand Final placing last week after agonisingly losing to Green Gully in a penalty shootout.

Conversely, the Phil Stubbin’s coached Heidelberg United, inspired by a 2 goal effort from deadly marksmen Nick Marinos, produced a solid display in managing to defeat by 3 goals to 1 an Oakleigh Cannons outfit that was previously in a rich vein of form.

The do-or-die status of the encounter coupled with the history-rich rivalry of both clubs sees an immense crowd expected.

With the regular season fixtures between the two teams generating crowds of approximately 12,000 and 10,000 respectively, the hub of football in Victoria over the weekend will no doubt be at Olympic Village.

From a selection perspective South Melbourne coach John Anastasiadis has practically a full squad to choose from. Con Blatsis had an injury cloud over him through the week after picking up a knock in the game against Gully but looks to have recovered sufficiently enough to take his place in the South starting line-up.

Against Gully South were the superior team but failed to break down one of the league’s most consistently resilient defences and after having two chances from the spot to book their place in the Final, it is of vital importance that John Anastasiadis’s men put behind them the disappointment of not already making the Grand Final and simply focus on getting past the Bergers.

After gaining promotion from State League 1 last season, Heidelberg has done a superb job in putting together a squad littered with NSL experience. The Bergers possess quality all over the park with South’s goal under considerable threat from players such as Bill Damianos, Nick Sabljak and Nick Marinos. Add to the mix the youthful enthusiasm and sheer talent of Brendan Beni and the Bergers posses a bevy of attacking talent.

The regular season encounters between the sides saw blanks drawn all around with two nil-all draws highlighting the respect and weary approach that both sides have for one another. However, with so much on the line and a Grand Final birth at stake, respect must go out the door with sheer determination, passion and will to win the likely decider come the end of the 90 minutes this Sunday.

Wednesday, 7 September 2005 4:00 PM

“As far as we’re concerned this is the Grand Final”. Those are the stern words from Heidelberg United skipper Eric Vassiliadis ahead of Sunday’s Vodafone Premier League blockbuster at Olympic Village.

The Warriors, a team only promoted back to the top flight this season, and South Melbourne, a club that had concerns about relegation in the pre-season, are within 90 minutes of the premiership decider on Sunday, September 18.

Vasilliadis is salivating at the thought of a packed Olympic Village against arch rivals South Melbourne, and he had a simple message for his younger South Melbourne counterpart Robbie Cattanach at a press conference at FFV headquarters today – “enjoy yourself”.

“I’ve played at this level for over a decade. I’ve won a Premier League title with Heidelberg and looking back you really have to make the most of it”, explained the Warriors leader. “If you can’t enjoy your football in front of what should be 10,000 plus screaming passionate fans, then you never will”.

Vasilliadis also joined FFV Chief Tony Pignata’s call to Victorian football fans to get to the game and be part of a cracking atmosphere. “The Victory are on the road and there is no AFL in town, so we call on all fans of the game to get down and check out what should be a frenetic and entertaining football match” said an enthused Pignata. Those heading to the match are advised to make sure they arrive early.

For his part, Cattanach has been a welcome inclusion into a South side that at times stuggled to find goals. He now says he has settled in after a mid-season move from NSWPL side Blue Devils, where he won the Gold Medal for player of the year.

“I’ve been warming to the fans and hopefully they have been warming to me”, said Cattanach, who says he received strong support from the blue and white section of the crowd when he missed his penalty kick against Green Gully on Saturday.

Cattanach is yet to play in a South / ‘Bergers derby, but says he can feel the anticipation amongst his team mates already. “On the track and in the rooms, there is a real buzz this week, you can sense something special is in the air”.

South boss John Anastasiadis, a man who has played for both clubs, is quietly confident of a win. “We have moved on from last week and are focused on Sunday. We have some small injury concerns including Con Blatsis, who we’ll give as much time as he needs to get himself right” said the South gaffer.

The day is getting nearer and for one team, the fairy tale is almost complete. Heidelberg, up from the lower leagues can smell it. South, a team built almost from scratch after losing all but a couple of their NSL list, can sense it too.

Sunday sees the biggest rivalry in Australian football back in the spot light. Awaiting the victor is 6 months of bragging rights and a date with the Green Gully Cavaliers in the Vodafone Premier League Grand Final.

Friday, 2 September 2005 12:19 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

After a convincing 3-0 win in the first round of the finals against Altona, South Melbourne makes the trek to Green Gully Reserve for an encounter which will see the winner earn a place in the 2005 Vodafone Premier League Grand Final.

Spurred on by the vocal and passionate Clarendon Corner, John Anastasiadis’s men arguably produced the performance of season in disposing of the Magic and will look to tap into the same form when coming up against the Minor Premiers.

Gully coach Ian Dobson has once again managed to fashion a side which prides itself on playing tight at the back whilst managing to nip the vital goal when going forward.

Season after season Gully has prided itself on consistency, focussing on keeping the same core group of players together whilst raiding the transfer market for 2-3 additional quality players.

The Vargas brothers, Nick Tsaltas, Dean Fak, Andrew Marth, Dragi Nastevki, Joey Rajher, Lubo Lapsanky and Michael Batinovic have all played in the NSL and provide the Cavaliers with a level of experience that few teams in the VPL can match. Add to the mixture the giant frame of ex-Preston keeper Pasi Schwalger, who has displayed a level of consistency in between the uprights that few keepers in the league can match, and Gully have a well balanced and potent outfit.

Tsaltas and the Vargas brothers in particular will have to be closely monitored with these 3 contributing 21 (7 apiece) of Green Gully’s 31 goals during the regular season.

In the South camp Coach John Anastasiadis has got his side playing confident and attacking football at the right time of the season. South’s new attacking edge has been rewarded with 8 goals in their last three games, perhaps not the most spectacular of returns but by far a massive improvement for a team who only managed, on average, a goal or so per game in the regular season.

Instrumental to South’s improved efforts in front of goal has been the emergence of New South Welshmen Robbie Cattanach. After a much heralded arrival to Bob Jane Stadium, the NSW Premier League Player of the Year initially struggled to settle in. However, Cattanach has come good when the stakes have been at their highest, showing his true value by nipping in with 3 vital goals in the past three encounters.

With Cattanach a threat South’s general attacking play has improved as the angst of not being able to convert a host of chances has suddenly been lifted from the side. This has resulted in improved service and generally, a higher level of confidence and fluency in the team’s offensive raids.

Finally, Coach Anastasiadis has also been blessed with injuries. With practically a full squad to choose from it is re-assuring to know that there are likely to be players on the bench who can make a vital difference if and when called upon.

Saturday, 27 August 2005 11:45 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne has produced a scintillating performance to smash the Altona Magic 3-0 and hence firm as a genuine championship contender.

From the onset John Anastasiadis’s men played an attacking and free-flowing game consistent with the traditional South Melbourne style of football and ultimately could’ve run away with a much larger triumph.

With practically a full set of players to choose from, Coach John Anastasiadis went for experience leaving the likes of Vasilios Natsioulas, Steven O’Dor and Gianni De Nittis on the bench.

South’s starting 11 read as follows. The ever-consistent Dean Anastasiadis started in between the uprights. Con Blatsis and Arthur Tsonis re-commenced their physically intimidating central defensive pairing with youngster Sammy De Vito and crowd favourite Ramazan in the right and left back positions respectively. In the centre of the park Arthur Tsirtsakis continued in his newly found role as a defensive midfielder partnering Kosta Salapasidis who was trusted with the attacking central-midfield role. Out wide the in-form Fernando ‘Liliko’ took up the left-flank position whilst Scot MacNicol occupied the right leaving Captain Vaughan Coveny to partner Robbie Cattanach up front.

South began the game in a positive manner. As early as the 1st minute a Tsonis corner from the left was met by a rising Blatsis who unfortunately directed his header straight into the arms of Altona keeper Martin John.

Altona then reminded South of their attacking potency almost capitalising on a defensive lapse in the 4th minute which saw an Altona player break free of the South defence momentarily, but when attempting to chip Anastasiadis struck the ball hesitantly with Anastasiadis managing to eventually glove.

South then settled their nerves when a superbly worked piece of interplay saw the home side take the lead. MacNicol had managed to whip a 7th minute cross from the right flank to edge of the Altona box which Coveny managed to flick on with a delicate header to the back post where an astutely positioned Fernando was on hand to volley home off the underside of the crossbar.

The goal immediately raised South’s confidence with the home side now dictating the possession stakes. However, the Magic still managed to test Anastasiadis twice. First a 20th minute strike from outside the box had the South custodian at full stretch whilst a 23rd minute free kick, just outside the box on the right hand side forced Anastasiadis into a sharp save on his near post. In between both efforts South could’ve doubled their advantage when MacNicol found himself all alone in the Altona box after a fortunate bobble fell his way. Unfortunately for the home side, MacNicol failed to make sufficient contact with his angled strike, the ex-Brechin player still managed to wrong foot goalkeeper John but ultimately the Altona keeper saved with his legs.

South then doubled their advantage; a long ball from defence was superbly nodded on by Coveny who with his header managed to tear open the Altona defence allowing for the ever-alert Cattanach to latch onto the ball. When Cattanach looked up he saw goalkeeper John way off his line with the NSW Premier League Player of the Year managing to keep his head and comfortably chip John to put South two goals up after 29 minutes.

A minute later and Cattanach could’ve iced it after he found some space on the right hand side of the Altona box and sent his angled drive narrowly wide of the left upright with John beaten.

Three minutes before half time, arguably South’s most consistently outstanding performer, Dean Anastasiadis, once again showed the hallmarks of a superb goalkeeper, making the brilliant save when called upon. An Altona player found himself 1-1 with Anastasiadis with the South custodian coming out very quickly and making himself as big as possible, managing to block the eventual effort on goal.

South began the 2nd half in similar fashion to the first. Two minutes in MacNicol unleashed a wicked and dipping right-foot effort – from just outside the area – that sailed narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner.

Altona should’ve pulled a goal back in the 54th minute after a deep back post cross from the left evaded the South defence and found an Altona player all alone on the back post. The player cut inside and struck a tame effort towards the target that was cleared off the line by a desperate South defence. Altona appealed for handball but referee Perry Mur waved play on.

Fully aware of the safety in getting a 3rd goal, South went on an attacking frenzy. Fernando was having a field day on the left and was at the end of a 57th minute break down the right that saw a square ball from MacNicol “dummied” by Coveny only for the Brazilian to cut inside and blaze his effort over the crossbar.

A minute later Fernando was at it again, this time the Brazilian sensation produced a firmly struck 25 yard “daisy-cutter” straight at keeper John.

Immediately after Fernando’s effort Cattanach intelligently played in MacNicol who with a decent touch would’ve found himself with only John to beat. As it played out MacNicol’s touch was poor with the Altona defence managing to close him down.

MacNicol however almost made amends when a nice through ball from Tsirtsakis saw the South winger attempt a curling top-corner effort from just outside the area that John – at full stretch – managed to hold onto.

Sixty-four minutes in and South put the nail in the coffin. A free-kick from a central position by the “magic” Fernando picked out a rising Tsonis who from point blank range steered his header past a helpless John who remained stationary throughout the super precise execution of the set-piece.

Altona refused to lie down with a 66th minute free-kick from just outside the South box working its way under the wall but straight into the gloves of a thankful Anastasiadis.

Then in the 69th minute an Altona corner from the right fell to the edge of the South area where a thunderous drive came in. Thankfully for South, Salapasidis had fallen to the ground just before the strike managing to smother the ball albeit somewhat unconvincingly, with his chest.

The 73rd minute saw the most electrifying moment of the encounter. Man-of-the-match Fernando received the ball on the left flank 35 or so yards out. The Brazilian cut inside and somehow fashioned a makeshift pile-driver that whizzed past a stranded John who could only stare in amazement as the ball cannoned off the right upright. It was a moment of sheer brilliance by the “boy from Brazil” with the South faithful gushing in amazement at the closeness and audacity of Fernando’s spectacular effort.

South then finished the game with 3 decent chances. First off a sharp turn by substitute Gianni DeNittis saw Cattanach released down the right flank in acres of space. Cattanach produced a quality low ball that found unmarked substitute Vasilios Natsioulas all alone. Unfortunately for the home side Natsioulas failed to direct his glancing 80th minute effort on goal.

Cattanch was then released down the right side of the Altona defensive area; however, the South marksman rushed his angled 89th minute strike and blazed over.

Finally, the tiresome work of defensive midfield dynamo Arthur Tsirtsakis was nearly rewarded when he unleashed a powerful 90th minute 25 yard drive that sailed narrowly wide of John’s right upright.

Thursday, 25 August 2005 11:16 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

After a season that defied the odds South Melbourne now finds itself amongst the State’s elite with the coming weekend signalling the start of the 2005 Vodafone Premier League finals series.

A campaign that began with many neutrals not to mention passionate supporters of the club simply hoping to avoid relegation has seen John Anastasiadis’s men linger around the top of the table throughout entirety of the regular season. Two consecutive wins saw the Albert Park-based club end the season in 3rd position, just one point outside a top-two birth.

Blocking South’s progression are the Ken Murphy coached Altona Magic. During his playing days Murphy was a class player at South Melbourne and was on the coaching staff during the club’s last NSL campaign. He is an experienced VPL campaigner having been at the helm of Altona and various other sides in the state’s premier competition for many years.

Whilst managing a grand final appearance last year, Altona’s fortunes for the current campaign came down to the wire with their fate decided on the last day of the season after Preston’s heavy 5-0 loss away to Oakleigh meant that the point Altona gained in their nil-all draw with Green Gully was enough to see them sneak into 6th position.

The Magic are an extremely dangerous unit with brothers Koce and Kole Delev posing a threat at all times. The Delev brothers are complemented by Cameron Pino who is a proven performer at VPL level and has the versatility to play in many positions. Defensively, Levent Osman, Marcus Stergiopoulos and goal keeper Martin John all have NSL experience and form a strong core for the Magic.

In the South camp, injuries have come good at the right time with coach Anastasiadis practically having a full squad to choose from. Plagued by injury for the majority of the season, the likes of Con Blatsis and Vasilios Natsioulas are raring to go for the final’s campaign with George Tzirtis the one looming doubt.

Club captain Vaughn Coveny has been nursing a slight calf injury but has managed to shake it off and will line-up against the Magic.

With practically a full squad to select from, coach Anastasiadis will no doubt have some difficulties in settling on his starting 11. Pretty much every player in the senior squad has contributed towards South successful plight with injuries preventing coach Anastasiadis from fielding a consistent side week-in-week-out.

A big plus for South going into the crunch encounter is the form of NSW Premier League Player of the Year Robbie Cattanach who after a slow start to his career in the blue and white has managed to score 2 goals in his last two outings. Cattanach’s goals could just prove to be tonic that has been absent from South’s game all season, regular and consistent goal-getting.

Sunday, 21 August 2005 11:45 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne has completed a superb regular season campaign with a gritty 3-1 win against the Bentleigh Greens.

John Anastasiadis’s men finished a credible third, one point adrift of the 2nd placed Heidelberg United who along with Green Gully have qualified for the automatic double chance.

Looking ahead to the finals Coach Anastasiadis fielded a vastly changed line-up. Skipper Vaughn Coveny and defenders Sammy DeVito and Arthur Tsonis were given the day off in order to rest up for the business end of the season whilst regular attacking midfielder Scot MacNicol began proceedings on the bench.

South’s starting eleven read as follows. Dean Anastasiadis took up his customary position in between the uprights. In front of him colossal defender Con Blatsis returned to action being partnered in the centre of defence by youngster Steve O’Dor. Another youngster, James Stefanou was given his senior debut lining up in a right back role with the spirited Ramazan playing on the left. In the centre of the park Arthur Tsirstakis assumed the defensive midfield responsibilities with Kosta Salapasidis in a more attacking central role. Silky Brazilian Fernando started on the left allowing for the return of exciting youngster Vasilios Natsioulas on the right. Up front, another youngster, Gianni De Nittis provided support for New South Welshman Robbie Cattanach.

South began with a bang and took the lead in the 6th minute. In what was the home side’s first real attack of the day, a break down the right by Natsioulas saw the youngster spot an unmarked Fernando run down the right. Natsioulas squared the ball to the Brazilian who with only the keeper to beat produced a quality, bottom-right hand corner finish to give South the early initiative.

Two minutes later and the home side nearly doubled their advantage after a scramble in the box saw the ball fall to Cattanach who managed to produce a well placed side-foot effort that had the Bentleigh keeper beaten but was fortunately cleared off the line by a well positioned Bentleigh defender.

Twenty-one minutes in and a comical error saw the home side double their advantage. What looked like a harmless searching ball from defence saw a breakdown in communication between the Bentleigh keeper and the defender responsible for dealing with the header. As the keeper raced off his line (to deal with the clearance) the defender attempted to head the ball in the direction of the keeper who in the middle of his advancement was caught wrong-footed with the ball eventually trickling into the net.

To Bentleigh’s credit however their response was swift. A ball down the right hand side saw the South defence break down in communication with Nigerian Izvunna Chukwuka latching onto the defensive lapse and finding himself with only Anastasiadis to beat. Chukwuka kept his head and calmly slotted under Anastasiadis who managed to get some of his body onto the ball but far from enough to prevent the strike from reducing the Greens’ deficit.

The goal seemed to lift the Greens who were now appearing more organised and harder to break down with their efforts almost paying off when just before half time, a darting strike from just outside the box and slightly from a right angle, forced a superb left-hand diving save by Anastasiadis.

With the 2nd half underway South almost conceded a disastrous goal. Anastasiadis scuffed a left foot 46th minute clearance that fell to Chukwuka who with the keeper vastly off his line attempted a delicate chip. With the ball appearing destined for the back of the net, Anastasiadis went into over drive, scurrying back and managing to time his dived effort to perfection, punching the ball just over the crossbar and out for a corner whilst at the same time, narrowly managing to avoid hitting his head.

Youngster Nick Curtis had come on at half-time with his enthusiasm almost reaping a goal. Playing in an advanced midfield role Curtis unleashed a 20 yard rocket-like effort in the 50th minute that narrowly sailed over the crossbar.

South were starting to regain momentum with a surging 52nd minute run down the left by “Rambo” Ramazan seeing the inspirational South right-back enter the Bentleigh box in a menacing position. Unfortunately for the home side Ramazan failed to pick out a target with his eventual cross evading everyone.

Four minutes later Natsioulas found himself released down the right hand side of the Bentleigh box with the former Melbourne Knight’s player well positioned for an angled-strike. However, Natsioulas’s final effort lacked accuracy with the ball trickling wide.

Bentleigh refused to throw in the towel and continued to create chances going almost “blow-for-blow” with the home side. A 61st minute curling strike from outside the box initially troubled Anastasiadis who gloved at the 2nd attempt.

Two minutes later Brazilian Fernando had a well placed free-kick cleared off the line after he had adjusted his technique mid run-up. It appeared Fernando was to attempt a curling effort only for the Brazilian to try and emulate his compatriot Roberto Carlos with a full blooded drive that made its way through the wall but not past the Bentleigh defender positioned on the back post.

Bentleigh again responded in the 65th minute when a shot on the turn forced Anastasiadis to parry away for a corner.

South then iced the game when a 67th minute cross from the left found an unmarked Cattanach deep in the Bentleigh box. Cattanach controlled well and then proceeded to slam the ball home with authority, piercing the bottom left hand corner for his 2nd goal in consecutive outings.

Three-one down yet the Greens continued to be unfazed. Seventy-six minutes in a dribble at the top of the South box saw a Bentleigh player skim past a couple of South defenders. As he entered the box a decent angled strike was produced with a scurrying South defence managing to slice the ball off the line.

Anastasiadis was then forced into two sharp consecutive saves. The first one was a tip over from a 78th minute free-kick whilst a minute later the South custodian produced the save of the game managing to get to a strike from outside the box at full stretch.

South then ended the game with four decent chances. The first arrived in the 82nd minute after nice interplay between Cattanach and Ramazan saw Cattanach attempt a top-corner placed curler on the edge of the Bentleigh box that sailed narrowly wide of the intended destination.

A minute later and substitute Scot MacNicol found himself with acres of space in the middle of the park. MacNicol ran to the right flank and produced a decent cross that was met by Cattanach who unfortunately failed to direct his header either side of the keeper who managed to comfortably glove.

Eighty-Seven minutes in and an overlapping Stefanou broke down the right. His subsequent low cross saw legs fly in around the Bentleigh mini-box with South failing to turn the ball home.

Finally, a 93rd minute close range header by Con Blatsis was saved by the Bentleigh keeper after a MacNicol ball from the right found the unmarked colossus all alone and 6 yards out. Blatsis should’ve done better with the giant defender failing to convincingly place his header. Moments later referee Giuseffi whistled for the end of play.

Thursday, 18 August 2005 5:54 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

Sunday marks the final round of the most successful Vodafone Premier League season to-date with South Melbourne still having much to play for.

Coming off a season-defining triumph away to the high-flying Fawkner-Whittlesea Azzurri, South face the already relegated Bentleigh Greens in a game where a win for the home side could see John Anastasiadis’s men catapulted into 2nd place and consequently secure the much coveted double-chance.

In a very even competition Bentleigh have proved to be the exception, finding themselves 7 points adrift their nearest rivals the Sunshine Georgies and the St. Albans Saints whilst carrying the unflattering record of having conceded the most amount of goals whilst having scored the least.

When the sides met in their Round 13 encounter, a dogged display by Bentleigh saw South struggle with the Albert Park-based club fortunate to escape with a 0-1 win after an opportunistic close-range finish from Peter Koutsoupias.

However, after struggling to find the back of the net and frustrating their loyal supporter base, South produced their performance of the season against Fawkner-Whittlesea on Monday night, galvanizing their faithful with a dominant and passionate display that saw the return to form of much-heralded signing Kosta Salapasidis and the opening goal in Robbie Cattanach’s South Melbourne career.

The positives from the Fawkner-Whittlesea game were many with South producing such a dominant display that the final score only sought to flatter the home side.

Injury wise, George Tzirtis and Con Blatsis are week-to-week propositions with both likely to return for South’s finals campaign. That said, the most encouraging sign for South continues to be the gradual re-introduction of talented winger Vasilios Natsioulas. The ex-Melbourne Knight’s youngster has provided a genuine spark with silky skills to match every time he has come off the bench since returning from his long bout of glandula fever.

Natsioulas will no doubt be approaching a call-up to the starting line-up taking up his place in one of the most talented centre-lines in the VPL, a centre-line which has strengthened since the continual emergence of Brazilian import Fernando Moraes and the re-introduction of Scot MacNicol in the attacking midfielder’s role.

Coach John Anastasiadis will no doubt encourage his charges to show little mercy against the Greens with South hopefully working on their finishing during the week in the hope of capitalising on the consistent stream of clear-cut chances the side has managed to create week-in-week out.