Author: SMFC Media

Monday, 11 July 2005 10:30 AM

By Mark van Aken

South Melbourne entered their Round 21 match against the Sunshine Georgies acutely aware that a win was necessary to maintain their place near the top of the table. They would have to do with a single point as the match ended in a scoreless draw at Sunshine.

It was a much changed the line up in the blue and white, with new recruit Rob Catanach retaining his starting spot and Brazilian Fernando Moraes and Scot Ryan Dinse coming into the starting line up. Kosta Salapasidis and Pete Kousoupias were relegated to the bench for the match played out on a pitch that appeared wet under foot but in pristine condition.

Both sides attacked with vigour early, Sunshine’s best opportunity coming when a South clearance struck the referee and rebounded towards their goal. They could not capitalise and South then went about creating some chances of their own.

Skipper Vaughan Coveny was unlucky to find the side netting with one of his close range efforts, while Dinse had a header saved by the Georgies keeper.

A miscommunication between veterans Con Blatsis and Dean Anastasiadis very nearly resulted in a goal to the home side deep into the first half. The frustration was telling when Blatsis and his opponent were each cautioned just before the break.

The matches highlight came in the 44th minute when a long free kick from Moraes bent from one post to the other and forced the absolute best of saves from Sunshine’s keeper.

Steve O’Dor received a caution for a shirt pull in the opening minutes of the second half while the Georgies enjoyed some space in attack that resulted on several fruitless shots on goal.

As the second half progressed, South began to enjoy some strong periods of attack. A South corner was cleared by a scrambling Sunshine defence straight to the feet of Arthus Tsonis who shot straight at the keeper and was denied. Another chance came moments later when the keeper erred in taking the ball over the goal line, the resulting corner saw a Sunshine defender go ever so close to an own goal as the ball ricocheted off their heal and within inches of the South goal.

While an excellent addition on debut last week, Cattanach struggled to find any real rhythm in the game and was replaced by Peter Koutsoupias in the 70th minute. As the game went on, South continued to attack the goal while Sunshine looked dangerous on the counter in patches.

While South continued to win corner after corner, many were coming in at the near post and low, making it easy for the home side to clear the ball away from danger.

Just minutes out from full time a series of unsavoury tackles saw both sides take issue with each others technique. The players met head to head in front of a crowded South Melbourne and Sunshine bench. The result was a stale mate and a subsequent drop ball.

It was to be the story of South’s day, the match ending locked at 0-0. John Anastasiadis’ side must steel itself this week for their home match against Green Gully on Sunday. South will be looking to avenge their narrow defeat way to the Cavaliers earlier this season and keep their minor premiership chances alive.

Wednesday, 6 July 2005 3:33 PM

I would like to extend an invitation to all residents of the City of Port Phillip and to all the users of Albert Park, to come down and join South Melbourne FC celebrate our annual Community Day.

Bob Jane Stadium is the venue and Sunday July 17 is the date, when SMFC takes on the Green Gully Cavaliers in a Round 22 fixture of the Vodafone Premier league.

For nearly half a century, South Melbourne FC has been a part of the Albert Park Precinct. First we were at Middle Park, then in 1995 with the return of the Grand Prix to Melbourne we moved to our current site which was the old Lakeside Oval.

Not only have we proven over nearly 50 years that we are one of the most successful football Clubs in the country, but we are also one of the proudest, having competed against the likes of World giants Manchester United and Vasco da Gama at the inaugural FIFA World Club Championships, which were held in Brazil, in 2000.

South Melbourne is creating a new era of excitement at Bob Jane Stadium, competing in the Victorian Premier League competition.

After 20 Rounds, the Club currently sits in 3rd spot on the ladder and is looking to gather itself over the final 7 weeks to make a final assault on the title.

Come and show your support for your local Club and be part of the special Community Day festivities at Bob Jane Stadium.

George Donikian.
President
South Melbourne F.C.

Monday, 4 July 2005 10:35 AM

By Mark Van Aken

With the season spiralling towards its conclusion, the Melbourne Knights came to Bob Jane Stadium needing to take at least a point to keep their finals hopes alive. A 60th minute goal by Englishman Luke Slater ensured they would collect all 3 points and inflict South Melbourne’s second consecutive defeat in the VPL.

It was a match of fluctuating fortunes for the old NSL rivals with both sides enjoying strong periods of possession and attack. It was the visitors who came out on top however, due largely to some rock solid defence.

Robbie Catanach made his SMFC debut after signing mid week from NSW Premier League side Blue Devils. The striker was solid up front and, while he didn’t find the back of the net, he showed signs that he could provide that certain something up front that SMFC has often lacked through out the season.

“I’m disappointed that I didn’t play that well”, said Catanach after the game. To say he didn’t play well however is to not tell the whole story.

The Knights’ Luke Slater was in the thick of it from the start, receiving a yellow card for a reckless 2nd minute challenge. Catanach was lively in the early going setting up Peter Koutsoupias who troubled Knights keeper Cagalj. At the other end of the park Dario Matkovic was causing problems for the SMFC defence.

South coach John Anastasiadis was forced to make an early change when George Tzirtis took a knock after 15 minutes and was replaced by Evan Karavitis. The change didn’t trouble the Knights, a Kozic cross met Caldwell awkwardly in the box and minutes later Kiratzoglu danced through the South defence and put a solid shot on goal, forcing a save from Dean Anastasiadis.

South appeared hard done by on the half hour when Dario Matkovic looked to have handled the ball in the penalty area, however no call was made. Rama Tavsancioglu worked tirelessly for South, picking up two heavy knocks that saw him receive brief medical attention. Neither however could stop him from returning and leading the SMFC charge.

Catanach continued to toil in attack for the blue and whites, highlighted by a well weighted through ball that put Koutsoupias one on one with the keeper. He could not capitalise and the sides went into half time locked at 0-0.

It remained level until the hour mark when a Slater rocket inside the box careered past Dean Anastasiadis to gift the Knights the advantage. The strike prompted his brother to substitute Koutsoupias for Ryan Dinse as South went searching for an equaliser.

The Knights Tom Milardovic was cautioned mid way through the half for a reckless tackle on Karavitis, while minutes later the home side almost levelled when Cattanach drew the Knights defence and laid off to Scot MacNicol. The Queenslander had an open look on goal but sprayed the shot well over the bar.

South again threatened when a long-range effort from Kosta Salapasidis forced a save from Cagalj. The ball rebounded back into play and was subsequently cleared by the scrambling Knights defence.

Anastasiadis urged his men to go forward in search of a goal in the dying minutes. The closest they would get was a long, floating attempt by Karavitis that very nearly deceived Cagalj.
Try as they might, the home team could not find the back of the net and the Knights collected a very handy and largely deserved away win.

Knights coach Joe Biskic was naturally delighted with the result. “Any time you can come to South Melbourne and win…. you are very happy. We started to build with our excellent defence and worked from there.”

SMFC boss John Anastasiadis was clearly disappointed with the loss and his side’s inability to make ground on Green Gully, who suffered a shock loss to Bentleigh Greens.

South now remain in third place and must look ahead to this weeks clash away to Sunshine Georgies.

Saturday, 2 July 2005 9:34 PM

This Sunday’s Round 20 fixture of the 2005 Vodafone Premier League season promises to be a tight tussle as both clubs are very keen to claim the points.

We welcome to SMFC young striker Robbie Cattanach who comes to us after an outstanding season in the NSW Premier League, where he starred for the Blue Devils. His efforts have just been rewarded after being announced, on Friday night at a function in Sydney, the NSW Premier League’s Gold Medal winner.

Due to the overwhelming local community concern regarding crowd behaviour, Victoria Police have unfortunately forced the Club to take a tough stance on today’s attendances. Seating for today’s game will be restricted to the grandstand only. I trust everyone understands that the security precautions have been taken to protect the game and the good name of both clubs.

I thank the Club sponsors in 2005 and again urge everyone to support them by buying their products or using their services.

The last few weeks have been a bit up and down, but with the continued support of the real SMFC fans, we can make a real bid to feature in the prime-time end of season.

I am confident the South Melbourne FC rockets will give the many Blue & White fans something to cheer.

George Donikian

Saturday, 2 July 2005 9:16 PM

Last night, at the Football NSW Awards Night in Sydney, South Melbourne FC’s prized new signing Robbie Cattanach was awarded the prestigious 2005 NSW Premier League Gold Medal award.

Congratulations to Robbie! We wish him all the best, and we look forward to seeing his skills first hand.

Thursday, 30 June 2005 12:47 PM

By Mark van Aken

Derbies between SMFC and the Knights have been the main NSL fare for football fans over two decades. While other sides came and went, the battles between South and the Sunshine club have endured. The sides meet Sunday in the new world of the VPL and nothing less than a win will satisfy either side.

There have been some absolute classics over the years, from sell out crowds of more than 23,000 at Olympic Park for the 1991 Grand Final to the lower attended but no less hotly contested battles of late.

While the Knights glory years of the early to mid 90’s have subsided somewhat in recent times, both fans and players alike look back to those glory days with passion and pride. Despite some classic regular season matches through the years, it is in the post-season that the ‘old firm’ Melbourne derby’s true tales are told.

Olympic Park has been the setting for all but the most recent epics, the first such match being the major Semi-Final of 1984. South would win the day 3-2, but the Knights – better known simply as Melbourne Croatia at the time- would get the chance to exact finals revenge 6 years later. A long time between drinks maybe but that they did get there, edging out their cross-town rivals 7-6 on penalties after drawing the match 1-1. It would begin a period of 8 seasons where the Victorian clubs would face off in the playoffs no less than 6 times. Amazingly, they were drawn against each other in 3 consecutive years between 1989-90 through to 91-92, on each occasion the match was decided by penalties.

The 1990-91 Grand Final stands up as perhaps the most memorable of all clashes. Olympic Park was bursting at the seams with 23,318 fans who witnessed a tight affair, the scores locked at 1-1 after extra time. It would be the Blue and White prevailing in that shoot out and taking the silverware. 12 months later they were at it again, this time it was the Knights victorious 5-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the Major Semi-Final.

The Knights back-to-back national titles in 93/94 and 94/95 each came after finals victories against the Lakesiders. Their first title came after a two-legged playoff that resulted in a 2-1 Knights victory first up and a 2-2 draw in the return leg, both fixtures played out at Olympic Park. Goals flowed in the Preliminary Final of the next season, the Knights again victorious 3-2 on the road to consecutive championships.

The last finals derby between the two was in the 1996/97 season. It was the first and last time that each met in the finals at their own venues. The draw bridge at the fortress that is Sommer Street was down as South struck for a 4-1 win. The return at Bob Jane wasn’t much better for Western Melbourne club, falling 3-0 and 7-1 on aggregate.

Are we in for such classical football on Sunday? Time will tell, but you can be sure Melbourne Knights will be pulling out every stop to take some points from Bob Jane Stadium. If the Knights have any hope of playing finals football they must win.

While the circumstances aren’t so dire for SMFC, coach John Anastasiadis will be expecting nothing less than 3 points to keep the blue and white near the top of the table. Robbie Cattanach, the 20 year old striker joins South from NSW Premier League club Blue Devils this week, and he is itching for a run against the old rivals.

Wednesday, 29 June 2005 1:34 PM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of forward, Robbie Cattanach.

The 20 year old striker joins South from NSW Premier League club Blue Devils, formally known as Belconnen from the ACT. He is a proven goal scorer having scored 13 goals in the NSW top-flight league in 2005, and was the top goal scorer in the National Youth League in season 03/04, scoring 22 goals for Canberra Deakin.

At such a young age, Robbie already has many credits to his name, which include a 5 week trial with Scottish side Partick Thistle FC and being on loan to Sydney FC during their 2005 Oceania World Club Championship Qualifiers in Tahiti.

When asked why he wanted to join South Melbourne, Robbie didn’t hesitate to show his excitement, “South Melbourne is the most famous football club in Australia. I want to be able to look back at my career in years to come and say I’ve played for South and I’ve graced Bob Jane Stadium”.

Robbie has already started training with the rest of the SMFC squad and is keen to make his debut as early as this weekend’s game against South’s long time NSL rivals, the Melbourne Knights. “This is a thrill for me! I have been told about how vocal the Clarendon Corner is and I can’t wait to get out there in front of all the South Melbourne supporters”.

Sunday, 26 June 2005 11:21 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have come away from Paisley Park with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Altona Magic.

An all-round disappointing display saw the visitors comprehensively outplayed for the majority of the encounter with the saving grace for John Anastasiadis’s men being a final 10 minute rush which nearly saw the visitors escape with a draw.

With George Tzirtis absent because of sickness, Arthur Tsirtisakis was drafted into the starting 11 playing in the defensive midfield role. Tsirtsakis aside, Coach Anastasiadis put out a familiar looking line-up. As always Dean Anastasiadis was between the uprights whilst in the centre of defence Steven O’Dor once again partnered Arthur Tsonis with Rama Tavsancioglu and Sammy DeVito playing left and right back respectively. In the centre of the park Kosta Salapasidis was placed in the attacking midfield role with Tsirtsakis placed in front of the back four. Out wide Scot MacNicol took the right wing with Ryan Dinse on the left. The gradually-blossoming striking partnership of Peter Koutsoupias and skipper Vaughn Coveny rounded up South’s starting 11.

On a side note, Vasilios Natsioulas continues to be plagued by glandular fever with his return remaining indefinite whilst Con Blatsis was due to return this week but unfortunately re-aggravated his calf injury during training.

A mere 20 seconds in South should’ve scored. DeVito played a perfectly weighted ball down the right that Koutsoupias latched onto. The powerful striker exploded down the flank and played an inch-perfect low ball across the Altona box taking out the keeper and finding an unmarked Ryan Dinse who from 4 or so yards out and on a very slight angle somehow failed to put the ball into the back of the net. Dinse’s miss was a huge let off for the Magic who would’ve no doubt been shell shocked with a goal so early in the proceedings.

Altona responded with a 3rd minute strike from Cameron Pino which went well over the bar and then a fierce 10th minute angled cracked that sailed narrowly over the left top corner.

Twenty minutes in and Coveny broke down the right flank sending in a decent cross. Salapasidis rose well but was put under just enough pressure to send his header wayward.

Sammy DeVito had been having an impressive game on the right side of defence and his venture forward in the 34th minute nearly saw the young defender open the scoring. A corner from the right was played dangerously close to the Altona keeper with DeVito rising above all but just failing to keep his header down.

With the half nearing an end Altona almost went ahead after O’Dor misjudged a high ball. The Magic broke away with pace with the South defence scurrying back to lay on some pressure. An eventual strike – just outside the box – was had which saw Anastasiadis at full stretch but thankfully for the visitors the shot sailed narrowly past the right upright.

Then with the final kick of the half Altona went ahead. A sweet move saw an Altona player on the edge of the South box chest the ball down to the incoming Kole Delev who produced a stunning first time drive that potentially may have taken a deflection but nonetheless left keeper Anastasiadis with no chance as it flew into the bottom left corner. A brutal blow for South who had slightly edged the first half.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Altona now gradually starting to wrestle control.

Fifty-seven minutes in Altona should’ve doubled their advantage after a quick break down the left produced a dangerous low ball that saw the both sets of players in the box scrambling for position. Altona got to the ball first and produced a sharp first-time-flick on target that unfortunately for the home side was prevented from hitting the back of the net after a fellow Altona player blocked the path of the ball.

Two minutes later the Magic spurned another good chance after a cross from the right saw the South defence again scrambling with Altona managing an angled strike that narrowly missed the bottom right corner with Anastasiadis beaten.

Altona’s sustained period of pressure was finally rewarded in the 63rd minute after a deep cross from the left wasn’t convincingly punched away by a scurrying Anastasiadis. Tavsancioglu tried to head away but only succeeded in placing the ball into the path of the incoming Stiven Mrkela who from 10 yards out but with both a South defender and Anastasiadis on the line still managed to rifle the ball into the roof of the net to give the Magic a cushioned 2-0 lead.

Coach Anastasiadis then sent on the Brazilian import Fernando Moraes looking for an attacking spark and some creativity. Moraes has slowly but surely worked his way into the pace and style of South’s game and was again extremely unfortunate not to have started.

Seventy-eight minutes in and an Altona nearly iced the game after a deflected strike went just wide.

To South’s credit they significantly raised the tempo in the last 10 or so minutes with Moraes continuing to be mobile and assured in his passing and positive movement.

The Albert Park-based club almost pegged one back in the 86th minute after a cross from the left saw South manage a decent header on goal only for the Altona keeper to produce a superb one handed top corner save.

Two minutes later South had a goal dubiously disallowed. A quality ball was whipped in from the right with Koutsoupias escaping his marker and managing to direct a header towards goal. His direct marker got an unfortunate deflection which wrong-footed the keeper and made its way into the net. A tense finish was denied after the linesman raised his flag signalling that Koutsoupias was in an offside position. The South players protested as the call appeared to be extremely tight with first impressions favouring that the goal should’ve stood.

In the 91st minute South finally got on the scoresheet after a superb through ball by Moraes released a South player down the right side of the Altona box. The ball was brilliantly squared with Koutsoupias on hand to calmly slot home.

Saturday, 25 June 2005 2:25 PM

It is with great pleasure that we inform you that the funds required to send Alyssa and her family to the USA for treatment have been raised.

Alyssa and her family will be leaving for the United States as soon as possible, and as a result the Charity Dinner on July 1 has been cancelled.

On behalf of Alyssa’s parents Chris and Julianne, we would like to thank everyone for their contributions, prayers and kind words.

South Melbourne FC would like to wish Alyssa and her family all the best, and we hope to see them back at BJS soon.

Friday, 24 June 2005 3:12 PM

SMFC are pleased to confirm that three of our upcoming matches now have amended kick off times.

Matches against Green Gully, Essendon Royals and Oakleigh Cannons have all been moved from their original 3pm kick offs to 5.15pm.

The club had requested the changes for these, and recent matches. Despite logistical issues making the change for recent home games impossible, SMFC is pleased that the clubs request has been agreed to by both our opponents and the FFV.

SMFC President George Donikian is happy with the changes. “We have listened to our fans and are very excited about the prospect of the Bob Jane terraces filling for what are three very crucial matches.

It is important to note that our club is playing in its first winter competition in nearly two decades and we are very much in unchartered waters.

This move was only possible with the co-operation of our opponents and the FFV and we are thankful for this. It is now up to our fans to reinforce that they are the strongest and most passionate supporters in Australia and get to the game”.

Match Details

ROUND 22 SUNDAY 17 JULY
SMFC VS GREEN GULLY New Kick Off 5.15pm

ROUND 24 SUNDAY 31 JULY
SMFC VS ESSENDON ROYALS New Kick Off 5.15pm

ROUND 18 (Rescheduled) SUNDAY 7 AUGUST
SMFC VS OAKLEIGH CANNONS New Kick Off 5.15pm