Author: SMFC Media

Friday, 6 July 2012 12:14 PM

South Melbourne FC wishes to advise all members and patrons that the temporary liquor licence held by the State Sports Centre Trust at Lakeside Stadium has expired. The State Sports Centre Trust that manages Lakeside Stadium is currently in the process of acquiring a permanent liquor licence.

As a result, alcohol will no longer be able to be purchased at Lakeside Stadium until the Trust has secured its permanent liquor licence.

South Melbourne will advise its members and patrons as soon as the State Sports Centre Trust has acquired the permanent liquor licence.

Friday, 6 July 2012 9:48 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC has an enormous opportunity to reduce the gap between itself and the top five of the Victorian Premier League when it hosts the Oakleigh Cannons at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday evening. Oakleigh sits in second spot on the Victorian Premier League ladder, with South languishing in eighth spot; however a victory for the home side will see it close the gap between itself and the Cannons to five points. If other results fall the right way, South could finish the round just a point outside the top five.

South goes into Sunday’s match in reasonable form, having defeated Heidelberg United 2-1 in the derby before coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 against the Moreland Zebras at Epping Stadium last weekend. South had at least four great chances to win the game in injury time alone and would have seen the result as two points dropped as opposed to a point gained. Nevertheless, the performance against the Zebras was positive and coach Peter Tsolakis will be expecting his team to produce the same performance this weekend. South took advantage of the July transfer window to pick up several new signings during the week, with Andy Vlahos re-joining the Club for a second stint. Englishmen Steve Burton (striker) and Shaun Kelly (defender) have also arrived at Lakeside and may be included in the team this weekend.

South’s opponents have been going about their business quietly in 2012 and as a result sit in second spot on the VPL ladder. Oakleigh have won their past two Premier League games (both home wins against Bentleigh Greens and Heidelberg) and will prove to be difficult opponents on Sunday evening. Former South goalkeeper Peter Zois has recently taken over the reigns as coach at Jack Edwards Reserve and has former South players Daniel Dragicevic, Goran Zoric, Jesse Krncevic, Rama Tavsancioglu and Ricky Diaco on his books.

In the corresponding meeting between the two sides last season on Sunday 19 June 2011, Carl Recchia’s 55th minute goal was enough to win the game for South at John Cain Memorial Park.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 5:00PM at Lakeside Stadium.

Last time we met

Wednesday, 4 July 2012 4:20 PM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the signings of Steve Burton, Andy Vlahos and Shaun Kelly as part of its mid season transfer acquisitions.

Steve Burton is an English footballer who has played the majority of his football as a striker in the Conference tier of English football, with stints at Ipswich Town, Doncaster Rovers, Boston United, Crawley Town, Harrogate Town and Scarborough Football Clubs. One of Burton’s strengths, apart from his goal-scoring prowess, is his ability to hold the ball up well to bring other players into game, as well as being quite strong in the air. In February 2011, Burton signed for Western Australian side Balcatta SC, and was an instant hit by scoring a hat trick on debut in their 5-1 win at Bayswater City SC. The Englishman has made a huge impact in his first season in WA football, scoring 12 times to help Balcatta SC clinch the League title and be voted WA Player of the Year. His scoring record did not go unnoticed, as he was watched closely by Perth Glory and played in a couple of games in their 2011 pre-season.

Click here to view highlights of Steve Burton

Shaun Kelly joins South Melbourne FC from Shepparton United, where he has played in 2012. The 23 year old Liverpool born Kelly is an established defensive option, spending a large chunk of his senior career with English club Chester City. Kelly also has the ability to play in the midfield, where his toughness and ability to win the ball are the highlights to his game. In 2012 he caught the eye of the South Melbourne football department whilst playing for Shepparton United, where in his eight matches to date has been nothing short of exceptional by leading the defensive line for them as well as managing to sneak forward and score four goals of his own.

Click here to view highlights of Shaun Kelly

Andy Vlahos returns to South Melbourne FC for his second stint at the Club, after being part of 2000/01 National Soccer League squad. That year saw Vlahos make 39 appearances for 15 goals. The much-travelled footballer, who plays as either a winger or striker, commenced his football career at Heidelberg United in 1994, with stints at both the Collingwood Warriors and Carlton Soccer Club. In 1998, he made the move to European football by signing with Greek outfit Panathinaikos FC. His stay at the Greens was short lived, as he only made two appearances and subsequently moved to Agios Nikolaos FC in the lower divisions of Greek football. He returned to Australia to sign with South and played in the side coached by Mike Petersen that finished as Minor Premiers but lost 2-1 against the Wollongong Wolves in the Grand Final at Parramatta Stadium. Vlahos followed Petersen to the Football Kingz before returning to Europe for a second time, this time playing for Belgian outfit Cercle Brugge. He has remained active by furthering his football career at both Hume City and Heidelberg United as player/coach. In a career spanning 18 years, Vlahos has made 335 appearances for 76 goals in total.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis was quite excited about the new attacking options and said that “we are very excited about these three individuals joining the Club. Andy’s record at local level speaks for itself and alongside Steve Burton, we have added some depth to an attacking area that has been a problem for us so far in 2012. Shaun Kelly is a wonderful prospect and will help the club immensely throughout defence and at times within the midfield.”

For all media enquiries, please contact George Triantos on 9645 9797 or media@smfc.com.au

Monday, 2 July 2012 10:23 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC twice fought back from a one goal deficit to draw 2-2 against the Moreland Zebras at Epping Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Goals from captain Steven O’Dor and Jason Trifiro cancelled out Moreland’s goals from former South man Kliment Taseski and Ersin Kaya, in what was a highly entertaining game.

South went into the game on the back of a 2-1 victory against Heidelberg United last weekend and was determined to continue the positive form against a Zebras side who had won its past two Victorian Premier League matches. Both sides enjoyed an even start to the game, with South perhaps the slightly more adventurous, but it was the home side that struck on the scoreboard first. Former South player Danny Radojicic broke the offside trap before cutting the ball back for Taseski to smash past Peter Gavalas for the opening goal of the match. The rest of the half was all South as the away side dominated possession before finally getting the goal it was after just before the halftime break. Jason Trifiro’s inswinging corner found O’Dor who headed past Griffin McMaster and into the back of the net to send the sides into the break on level terms.

South completely controlled the second half but once more could not convert their on-field dominance onto the scoreboard. The away side paid the price when Moreland re-took the lead in the 64th minute when Chris Grossman cut the ball back for Kaya to slide in and put the ball past Gavalas. South continued to miss chances to level, firstly when Marinos Gasparis, playing his 50th League game for the Club, curled a shot against the right post and then when Trent Rixon got on the end of a wonderful forward move but had his final shot blocked magnificently by the Zebras defence. With time running out, South coach Peter Tsolakis introduced Fernando De Moraes and Kyle Joryeff to the game and both substitutes had immediate impact with a sense of urgency in moving the ball forward. South finally got the equaliser it had deserved only minutes from the end when Joryeff’s quick shot could only be parried by McMaster into the path of Jason Trifiro, who had the easy job of slotting the ball into the back of the empty net.

The six minutes of injury-time was absolute madness as an inspired South side surged forward in big numbers in search of the winning goal. Rixon sprung the offside trap and rounded McMaster but was denied what would have been a wild winner by Will Abbot, who did very well to get in the way and clear the danger. Rixon then got on the end of a great cross by Gasparis and headed the ball against the crossbar with McMaster beaten. McMaster then made amends for his earlier error by making a fantastic save from a long-range Rixon rocket, flicking the goal-bound ball out for a corner kick, then following that up by making another terrific save from a Joryeff shot. The away side could have easily scored four goals in injury-time and Rixon alone could have had a hat-trick but for the wonderful defending by the Zebras. In the end both sides had to settle for a point each, though South would consider this result as two points dropped as opposed to one point earned.

It was a different story in the Under-21s match, with Moreland triumphing 2-1 against South.

With the transfer window opening today (Monday 2 July), Tsolakis said post-game that there would be more attacking options arriving at Lakeside to support Rixon, especially with Dimi Hatzimouratis out injured. Those new signings will be announced in due course.

South’s next three games are all at home, with the first being next Sunday against the Oakleigh Cannons at 5:00PM.

FINAL SCORE: MORELAND ZEBRAS 2-2 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 1-1)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Kliment Taseski (18′)
1-1: Steven O’Dor (45+1′)
2-1: Ersin Kaya (64′)
2-2: Jason Trifiro (88′)

Moreland Zebras:
Griffin MCMASTER (GK), Chris GROSSMAN, Ray LALLY, William ABBOTT, Danny RADOJICIC (Nace KOSMAC 63’), Kole DELEV, Carl RECCHIA, Vincent FAHERTY, Daniel VASILVEVSKI, Ersin KAYA (Jacob IHNATISIN 90’), Kliment TASESKI (Nick SYMEOY 75’)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEW, 4. Steve O’DOR, 6. Dimi TSIARAS (25. Kyle JORYEFF 78’), 5. Philip PETRESKI, 9. Trent RIXON, 10. Glen TRIFIRO (15. Fernando DE MORAES 75’), 11. Brad NORTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 15. Marinos GASPARIS, 23. Jason TRIFIRO

SMFC Man of the Match: Bradley Norton
Venue: Epping Stadium
Date: Sunday 1 July 2012

Friday, 29 June 2012 8:38 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC travels to Epping Stadium for the second time this season to face the Moreland Zebras on Sunday afternoon in what is shaping up to be a six-point match. A South win could see it pushing to be back in the top five, whereas a loss could see South slip dangerously towards the relegation zone in what has been a very up-and-down season to date.

South will go into the game in winning form, having defeated Heidelberg United 2-1 in the traditional derby at Lakeside Stadium last Sunday evening. It was the Club’s first win in any competition for six weeks and lifted South to eighth spot on the Victorian Premier League ladder. Moreland are still second-last, however the Zebras have defeated Heidelberg United and Hume City in the last two rounds and Joe Palatsides’ side are certainly looking to continue their winning form against South and keep progressing up the ladder.

The away side certainly has winning form against Moreland in recent times, having defeated the Zebras 4-0 at Lakeside Stadium in the opening Victorian Premier League round back in March. On that day, a double from Kyle Joryeff in the first half and late strikes from Jason Trifiro and Dimi Hatzimouratis rounded out a comfortable win. Moreland (formerly known as Whittlesea Zebras) are new to the Victorian Premier League this season (having won State League One in 2011) but have been in the division as recently as 2009, when they were relegated along with Preston Lions. In 2009 South played both fixtures against the Zebras at Lakeside Stadium, so it has not been since 2008 that South has travelled to Epping Stadium to face the Zebras. In the last meeting between the two sides at Epping, a Tony La Verde strike from just outside the area on 70 minutes was enough for South to earn a 0-1 victory on Sunday 11 May 2008.

Pending selection, Marinos Gasparis is poised to play his 50th League match for South on Sunday. ‘Gaspa’ joined South in 2010 from Heidelberg and has proved to be an important player in the side over the past three seasons. Along with his 49 League matches thus far, he has also scored five goals, with the most notable being the injury-time header that earnt South a point against Heidelberg at the Olympic Village on Sunday 13th March 2011 and the half volley against Oakleigh at Jack Edwards Reserve the following Friday night (18th March). South Melbourne FC congratulates Marinos Gasparis on reaching 50 games for the Club and wishes him the best for the rest of the season. Sunday’s match kicks off at 3:00pm on Sunday afternoon at Epping Stadium.

Last time we met

Monday, 25 June 2012 11:12 PM

By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy NItsos)

South Melbourne FC fans finally have reason to celebrate as their team rallied after being a goal down to register a 2-1 victory against traditional rivals Heidelberg United at Lakeside Stadium. Goals from Jason Trifiro and Bradley Norton were enough to earn the win for the home side. The result lifted South into eighth spot on the Victorian Premier League ladder and more importantly to within a game of the top five standings.

South went into the match in horrible form, having lost three matches in succession including four matches in a row at Lakeside Stadium. In fact South had not registered a victory at home since the opening round of the season when it prevailed 4-0 against Moreland Zebras on Sunday 25 March. Despite Heidelberg’s lowly status on the Victorian Premier League table (last place with only five points from its opening 10 matches), the fact that South had only beaten Heidelberg in a League match only once since 2006 was huge cause for concern. Derbies are always games where ladder positions and form are irrelevant and as was the case, this match was no different.

The home side’s miserable home form looked set to continue after only two minutes when Heidelberg opened the scoring with their first attack of the match. Former South player and new Bergers signing Kristian Sarkies’ corner from the right side found an unmarked Brent Griffiths who nodded the ball past Peter Gavalas. The goal immediately stung South into action and the home side should have been level only minutes later but Marinos Gasparis’ close-range half volley smashed the post and stayed out. South were then lucky not to concede again when Andrew Naboutt found himself one-on-one with Gavalas but the South custodian saved well. The Blues were wondering what they had to do to score in a home match but they were finally rewarded midway through the half when Trent Rixon nodded the ball on for Jason Trifiro to beat Chris May at his near post and level the scores. The entire Heidelberg defence seemed to stop in unison after Rixon’s header, adamant that the striker was offside; however despite angry appeals the linesman and referee allowed play to continue and Trifiro took advantage as South went into the break level.

Trifiro only lasted five minutes of the second half before he hobbled off and was replaced by the returning Fernando De Moraes. The Futsalroo had only been on the park for a few minutes before South scored the winning goal, when Norton hit a shot from 20 yards that took a wicked deflection off a Heidelberg defender and completely wrong-footed May in the Berger goal. It had been the sort of luck that South had been missing in previous weeks and despite the scrappiness of the goal, the home side and its supporters did not care in the slightest. Returning centre-half and former Heidelberg man Luke Byles was a rock in the South defence as he and captain Steven O’Dor did the job in preventing Heidelberg’s Saso Alexovski and Naboutt from creating many opportunities. At the other end, young Philip Petreski was involved in many great runs down the left wing for South but the home side was unable to capitalise. Four minutes of injury time passed and South hung on for what can only be described as a much-needed confidence boosting victory, South’s first win in all competitions since Friday 11 May away at Epping Stadium against Hume City.

In the Under-21s match played prior to the Seniors, Heidelberg twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with South.

South needs to keep the winning form going next weekend when it returns to Epping Stadium, this time to face Moreland Zebras. Kick-off is next Sunday 1 July at 3pm.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 2-1 HEIDELBERG UNITED (HT: 1-1)

Goal Scorers:
0-1: Brent Griffiths (2′)
1-1: Jason Trifiro (19′)
2-1: Bradley Norton (55′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 4. Steven O’DOR, 5. Philip PETRESKI, 6. Dimi TSIARAS, 9. Trent RIXON, 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Bradley NORTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 18. Marinos GASPARIS (25. Kyle JORYEFF 72’), 23. Jason TRIFIRO (15. Fernando DE MORAES 51’)

Heidelberg United:
3. Les DOUMBALIS, 5. George PAPADOPOULOS, 8. Andrew NABOUTT (6. John BOUNOS 84′), 9. Kristian SARKIES, 11. Evan CHRISTODOULOU, 12. Kamal IBRAHIM (4. John LAZARIDIS 59′), 13. Mitch BISSINGER, 15. Sebastian PETROVIC (2. Arthur PAPADOPOULOS 75′), 17. Brent GRIFFITHS, 20. Saso ALEXOVSKI, 21. Chris MAY (GK)

SMFC Man of the Match: Dimi Tsiaras
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 24 June 2012

Friday, 22 June 2012 9:58 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC hosts Heidelberg United in the traditional derby at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Sunday’s derby is of enormous significance to both teams, as Heidelberg look to get off the bottom of the ladder and South look to reverse a horrible run of four straight home defeats in all competitions.

South has not won at Lakeside Stadium since the 4-0 victory over Moreland Zebras in the opening round of the Victorian Premier League season on Sunday 25th March. Since then the side has lost four home matches in a row both in both League and Cup competition, going down 0-2 to Southern Stars, 1-2 to Melbourne Knights, 0-1 against Northcote and 1-2 against Port Melbourne. In addition, South has not tasted victory in any competition since Friday 11th May when a late Steven O’Dor goal was enough to defeat Hume City 1-0 at Epping Stadium. It is form not usually associated with the Club and puts the entire coaching and playing staff under big pressure to change results around quickly before the season becomes wasted. South’s 1-0 loss away to Bentleigh last Friday night represented the Club’s third straight loss in all competitions and means that South has only picked up one point from its last four League matches.

Heidelberg may be at the foot of the Victorian Premier League ladder having lost 0-4 against second-bottom Moreland Zebras last weekend, however the Bergers will provide difficult opposition on Sunday. Until last year’s Elimination Final triumph, South had not defeated Heidelberg in League competition since May 21st 2006, when goals from George Tzirtis (29’), Fernando De Moraes (53’) and Vaughan Coveny (75’) sealed a 3-1 victory at Lakeside Stadium. Although South has frequently defeated Heidelberg in Hellenic Cup battles since that day, the Bergers have had the upper hand in the Victorian Premier League, much to the frustration of South supporters. The corresponding fixtures last season ended in a 0-0 draw at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday 5th June, before a Jesse Krncevic penalty and a Zaim Zeneli double-save from Hamlet Armenian’s late penalty kick gave South a 1-0 victory in the Elimination Final on Sunday 14th August at Anderson Reserve.

South should be welcoming back former Heidelberg defender Luke Byles and midfield veteran Fernando De Moraes to the side this week, with both recovering from injuries.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 5:00pm at Lakeside Stadium. South supporters are encouraged to attend in big numbers to give their Club as much support as possible to try and break the horrible form the Club is going through at the moment.

Last time we met

Monday, 18 June 2012 12:12 PM

MEDIA RELEASE

South Melbourne FC is supportive of the recent announcement made by Football Federation Australia (FFA) regarding the recommendations from the National Competition Review (NCR) and is looking forward to working with Football Federation Victoria to assist with a successful implementation of these changes in our state. The Australian Premier League (APL) is an important step to tie together and improve our code with the desired effect of developing youth and allowing clubs like ours to have the opportunity to again play at the highest national levels.

South Melbourne FC has a proud tradition of producing over 50 Socceroo players and was instrumental in the creation of the first truly national football competition in the late 1970s. Its success in Australian football was recognised when it received the prestigious award FIFA Oceania Confederation Club of the Century.

The Club has successfully implemented a youth development program, which has allowed South Melbourne FC to be at the forefront of youth development as our program very much follows what is contemplated in the National Competition Review.

The Board has appointed Tom Kalas (Current Joint Director of Youth Development) to work with all key stakeholders within the Club and Football Federation Victoria (FFV) to oversee the implementation of the recommendations from the National Competition Review at the Club.

Coupled with the redevelopment of Lakeside Stadium, its strong youth development, recent appointment of a full time General Manager and dynamic digital media team, South Melbourne FC is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities that lie ahead.

For all media enquiries, please contact Tom Kalas on 0419 996 645 or media@smfc.com.au

Monday, 18 June 2012 10:11 AM

By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

South Melbourne FC has suffered yet another defeat – its third in a row in all competitions – following a 1-0 defeat away against the Bentleigh Greens on Friday night. The winning goal was scored from the penalty spot by Luke O’Dea following a handball in the penalty area ten minutes from time. The result keeps the Greens in top three whilst South has slipped even further away from the top five as the halfway mark of the Victorian Premier League arrives next weekend.

South enjoyed a wealth of possession in the first half and should have gone into the break with a lead, however like in previous weeks the side could not score any of their chances. Trent Rixon went close with a volley early in the game and later in the half had a goal-bound shot cleared off the goal line by the Greens defence. It was Jason Trifiro who had the best chance on the half hour, when he went on a dazzling run through the entire Greens defence before his final shot beat Greens keeper Lawrence Thomas but not the inside of the far goal post. The ball rolled across the goal line before being collected by a grateful Thomas. Bentleigh’s best and only real notable chance of the half came from a Damir Lokvancic free kick that Scott Bulloch couldn’t connect with properly from six yards out.

The home side nearly took the lead in the second half when Lokvancic hit a spectacular volley from nearly thirty yards that flew past Peter Gavalas’ far post, with the South keeper breathing a sigh of relief. South’s next chance fell to Rixon who connected with a Marinos Gasparis cross but could only hit his header straight at Thomas. Glen Trifiro hit a long shot from outside the area that also went straight to Thomas. The game seemed destined for a scoreless draw until the 80th minute when South lost the ball in midfield then carelessly conceded a penalty when Dimi Tsiaras was judged to have handled the ball in the area. Substitute O’Dea stepped up and sent Gavalas the wrong way, placing the ball into the bottom left corner. The home side then ran down the clock and condemned South to a second straight League defeat and a third straight loss in all competitions. South has not won since Friday 11 May against Hume City and since then has only collected one point from a possible twelve in the Victorian Premier League.

Things need to change quickly next Sunday when South hosts traditional rival Heidelberg United at Lakeside Stadium in what is shaping up to a be six-point game. A loss for South could see the them slip dangerously near the relegation zone at the halfway mark of the season, something unthinkable at the start of the season when the side won its opening two matches.

The Under-21s match finished in a goalless stalemate, with South missing a penalty.

FINAL SCORE: BENTLEIGH GREENS 1-0 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 0-0)

Goal Scorer:
1-0: Luke O’Dea PK (80′)

Bentleigh Greens:
Lawrence THOMAS (GK), Nicholas ANSELL, Wayne WALLACE, Paulo RETRE, Connor PAIN, Aron WILFORD, Danny KELLY, (Nicholas CURTIS 89’), Dado LOKVANCIC, Dominic D’ANGELO, Luke PILKINGTON, Scott BULLOCH (Luke O’DEA 65’)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 4. Steven O’DOR, 6. Dimi TSIARAS, 8. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS (25. Kyle JORYEFF 61’), 9. Trent RIXON, 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Bradley NORTON, 12. Philip PETRESKI, 18. Marinos GASPARIS (20. Gianni DE NITTIS 85’), 23. Jason TRIFIRO

SMFC Man of the Match: Tom Matthews
Venue: Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Date: Friday 15 June 2012

Thursday, 14 June 2012 10:30 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC travels to Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Friday night to take on the Bentleigh Greens in a must-win fixture. South desperately requires three points following two home defeats (in the League against Northcote and in the State Knockout Cup against Port Melbourne), results that leaves the Club out of Cup contention in 2012 and a game out of the top five in the Premier League as the halfway mark of the season approaches.

South goes into Friday’s match in disappointing form, having lost two home matches in a row and collecting only four points from its last four Premier League matches. South’s last victory was on 11th May against Hume City at Epping Stadium, meaning that the side has not tasted victory in any competition in over a month. The positive news is that both away games in that period has seen the team win four out of a possible six points, with the other result being a hard-fought 1-1 draw against League leaders Dandenong Thunder.

Bentleigh are currently sitting in third place on the ladder and are going about their business quietly and effectively in 2012. Former South player and coach John Anastasiadis has done an excellent job with his squad thus far in the campaign, with their last League result being a 2-1 away victory against Moreland Zebras on Sunday 27 May.

In the corresponding fixture on Friday 27th May last year, a great header on the half hour mark by Wayne Wallace beat Zaim Zeneli and was enough to earn the Greens a 1-0 victory.

Friday night’s match kicks off at 8:15pm at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.

Last time we met