Author: SMFC Media

Friday, 27 April 2012 9:41 AM

By John Kyrou

There is a break in the Victorian Premier League this weekend as South Melbourne FC plays Malvern City in the fourth round of the FFV State Knockout Cup on Sunday afternoon.

With many of South’s players sustaining knocks in the match against Richmond last Friday night, South coach Peter Tsolakis will be tempted to rest them and instead give fringe players the opportunity to play. This means that the likes of Trent Rixon, Tom Matthews, Luke Byles, Fernando De Moraes, Dimi Hatzimouratis and Dimi Tsiaras may be rested and players like Marinos Gasparis, Gianni De Nittis, Matko Budimir, Nick Jacobs and Christian Skok could be given an extended opportunity to play.

On the other hand, Tsolakis must be careful to pay the utmost of respect to his State League Two opponents Malvern City, who will no doubt be keen on causing a major upset by knocking South out of the Cup. It happened last year when State League One side Port Melbourne came from a goal down to triumph 2-1 against South Melbourne in extra time, causing major embarrassment to Eddie Krncevic’s side. Tsolakis and South will both be keen on ensuring that this mistake doesn’t occur again and that the team safely progresses through to the next round.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 12:30PM at John Cain Memorial Park. The match is the first of a double-header at the ground, with Northcote City hosting Morwell Pegasus afterwards at 3:00PM

Tuesday, 24 April 2012 11:43 AM

South Melbourne FC has decided it could not accept the invitation of the Football Association of Singapore to participate in the 2012 RHB Singapore Cup.

Regrettably, the timetable of this year’s RHB Singapore Cup and the Club’s commitments to the Victorian Premier League and State Knock Out Cup have made it untenable for South Melbourne to commit to the competition. The Football Association of Singapore understands South Melbourne’s position, and will continue to keep in close contact with the Club with a view to South Melbourne’s participation next year.

South Melbourne FC wishes all participants in the 2012 RHB Singapore Cup and the Football Association of Singapore all the very best for a successful tournament.

Saturday, 21 April 2012 9:58 PM

By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

South Melbourne FC played out a frustrating 1-1 draw against the Richmond Eagles at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Friday night. The result was one that the away side would not have been pleased about after Richmond played with ten men for an hour and finished the game with only nine men following two send-offs during the match.

South went into the match on the back of a thoroughly disappointing 3-1 loss away to Green Gully the previous Saturday, with striker Trent Rixon sustaining a groin injury in the process. Rixon had been doubtful during the week for the Richmond game but ended up playing. In contrast, Richmond went into the game on the back of two successive victories having defeated Bentleigh Greens 2-0 at home before winning 1-0 away against Heidelberg United.

From kick-off there were signs that the referee would have a busy night as Richmond set about firmly shutting South’s ball-playing style down by constantly fouling the away side. The home side successfully managed to pressure South in the early stages of the match in the hope of forcing them to make a mistake. This pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Fernando De Moraes uncharacteristically passed the ball straight to Richmond’s Josh Kweifio-Okai, who hit a thundering shot from outside the area that Peter Gavalas got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. The Eagles almost doubled their lead moments later when a fantastic cross from the left resulted in a header that flew wide of Gavalas’ goal. South had been sloppy with their build-up play but managed to create a decent opening shortly after, when De Moraes found space outside the area and fired a quick shot that Richmond keeper Stjepan Gal managed to parry out for a corner. Joe Keenan also went close with a thunderous strike from outside the area that just went over Gal’s crossbar.

The turning point of the match came after half an hour. Former Richmond man Dimi Tsiaras was fouled in the middle of the park and after some words were exchanged, Michael Ferrante grabbed Jason Trifiro by the throat and threw him to the ground, sparking a mini melee between many of the players on both teams. Once order had been restored, the referee cautioned Trifiro before sending Ferrante off for violent conduct. This infuriated Richmond coach Michael Chatzirifonos, who also found himself sent from the field by the referee. To add further insult to the home side, Rixon equalised shortly before halftime when he got on the end of a clever cross by Bradley Norton and comfortably headed the ball across Gal and into the corner of the goal.

The second half was all South, as the away side took complete control of the game but could not find a way past a stubborn Richmond defence that was determined to hold on for a point. In fact the Eagles could have taken the lead but had a goal disallowed for offside in the 50th minute. Rixon and Trifiro had great chances to head South into the lead but both times Gal intervened with some excellent saves in what was probably a man of the match performance by the Richmond custodian. South enjoyed a wealth of possession and had some good build-up play from the back but unfortunately lacked the final killer touch to bury the Eagles. Richmond went down to nine men in the 88th minute when Liam Cannell was sent off for a second bookable offence. Despite the five minutes of added time, South were not able to break the resolute Eagles defence and the final whistle was met with loud cheers by the home supporters as their team gallantly held on for a well-earnt point.

In the Under 21s match, South came from a goal down to draw 2-2 thanks to a late penalty.

South has a week’s break from VPL action as it, along with the other VPL sides, enters the Fourth Round of the State Knockout Cup. South has been drawn to play against Malvern City of State League Two, with the match kicking off at Northcote City’s John Cain Memorial Park at 12:30PM next Sunday 29 April. This game is the first in a double-header at the ground that afternoon, with Northcote City hosting Morwell Pegasus at 3:00PM.

FINAL SCORE: RICHMOND EAGLES 1-1 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 1-1)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Josh Kweifio-Okai (12′)
1-1: Trent Rixon (42′)

Richmond Eagles:
1. Stjepan GAL (GK), 2. Andrew VIOLA, 3. Erhan KARAHAN, 5. Liam CANNELL, 6. Tom MILARDOVIC, 7. Timmy PURCELL, 8. Steven TOPALOVIC, 14. Daniel VISEVIC, 17. Josh KWEIFIO-OKAI, 18. Michael FERRANTE, 23. Scott MUIRHEAD
Subs: 9. Michael CATALANO, 10. Nick MARINOS, 12. Devon BONNE, 11. Mate ETEROVIC, 24. Michael FARNHAM

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS (3. Rhodri PAYNE 50′), 4. Steven O’DOR, 6. Dimi TSIARAS, 7. Joe KEENAN, 9. Trent RIXON, 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Brad NORTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 15. Fernando DE MORAES (8. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS 80′), 23. Jason TRIFIRO (18. Marinos GASPARIS 69′)

SMFC Man of the Match: Joe Keenan
Venue: Kevin Bartlett Reserve
Date: Friday 20 April 2012

Friday, 20 April 2012 9:58 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC travels to Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Friday night to face the Richmond Eagles in what will no doubt be an entertaining game of football. The two sides have enjoyed some great Friday night matches at that ground.

South goes into the game on a back of a very disappointing 3-1 loss away to Green Gully last Saturday afternoon that coach Peter Tsolakis described as “a lethargic performance.” The afternoon was made even more miserable when Trent Rixon hobbled off with a groin injury that looks to rule him out of Friday’s match. However there were some positives despite the loss, with both Joe Keenan and Marinos Gasparis coming off the bench, showing that there is decent depth in the squad. Should Rixon be ruled out of the Richmond match, Dimi Hatzimouratis may make his first start for South after being unavailable for the Gully game due to a hamstring strain.

Like South, Richmond goes into the match with two wins and a loss from its opening three Victorian Premier League fixtures in 2012. An opening round 2-1 loss against Northcote City has since been followed with 2-0 and 1-0 victories against Bentleigh Greens and Heidelberg United respectively. Defender Steven Topalovic has returned to Richmond for a second stint after playing for South Melboure in 2011 and finishing as South’s Most Valuable Player last year alongside Jesse Krncevic. Whilst Topalovic defected to Richmond, Dimi Tsiaras came to Lakeside from Kevin Bartlett Reserve and there is no doubt that the former Richmond captain will be keen on securing the three points against his former side.

South and Richmond have enjoyed some great battles at Kevin Bartlett Reserve in the past. A double from Nathan Caldwell and a goal from Fernando De Moraes were enough to secure a 3-2 victory for John Anastasiadis’ side on Friday 9 March 2007. Two years later under Michael Michalakopoulos, goals from Sebastian Petrovic, Shane Nunes and De Moraes gave South a solid 3-1 victory. In the corresponding match last season, Ross Antoniadis’ goal after five minutes was enough for Richmond to triumph 1-0. There has never been a drawn game between the two sides in the six occasions they have played each other at Kevin Bartlett Reserve, with three wins apiece.

Last Time We Met – Round 19, 2011

Sunday, 15 April 2012 10:50 PM

By John Kyrou (Photos by Cindy Nitsos)

Click here to view our Photo Gallery of the Match

Green Gully has continued its 26 year home ground hoodoo against South Melbourne FC, coming from a goal down to defeat South 3-1 on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Daniel Jones and a brace from Matthew Sanders were enough to render Ante Cicak’s first half own goal irrelevant as the home side ran out winners.

South had not won at Green Gully Reserve since 1986 but that record looked threatened to be broken thanks to a bright start that led to the away side getting the opening goal. South won a corner on the right that Bradley Norton played short to Fernando De Moraes, who skipped past a defender and fired a low cross to the near post that hit Cicak and flew into the back of the net. South had two great opportunities to double their lead, firstly when De Moraes blasted a free kick over the crossbar and secondly when Trent Rixon shot over the bar following a great build-up. With South’s awful record at Green Gully Reserve, those chances missed were always going to come back and haunt the away side.

Gully had started the match slowly but had gradually worked their way back into the game, overpowering the South midfield. The home side eventually worked the equaliser shortly before halftime, when a cross from the right wasn’t dealt with properly from goalkeeper Peter Gavalas and his defence, allowing Jones to eventually fire home. Gully could have even gone ahead before the break but Osagie Ederaro headed a great chance wide of the goal.

The second half was a one-sided affair, with South barely able to generate any chances as Gully completely dominated in midfield. The away side suffered another blow when Rixon hobbled off the field with a groin injury after landing very awkwardly after an aerial challenge. South’s miserable afternoon continued in the 77th minute when Gavalas horribly mis-kicked a Steven O’Dor backpass, allowing Sanders an easy tap-in. Sanders then went on to complete his double only minutes later when he headed home a corner from the left, ensuring South’s horrible record at the ground continued into a 27th year.

South coach Peter Tsolakis was disappointed with his side, labelling it a “lethargic performance” and was keen on forgetting the result and quickly focussing his attention towards the next game against Richmond on Friday night. On Rixon’s groin injury, he mentioned that “it’s early days yet, he will have it checked out on Monday and we’ll go from there…we aren’t sure yet whether it’s too serious or not.”

In the Under 21s match, South were too strong and registered a solid 3-0 victory.

South’s next game is away at Kevin Bartlett Reserve against the Richmond Eagles on Friday 20 April. Kick-off is at 8:30pm.

FINAL SCORE: GREEN GULLY 3-1 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 1-1)

Goal Scorers: 

0-1: Ante Cicak OG (12′)
1-1: Daniel Jones (38′)
2-1: Matthew Sanders (77′)
3-1: Matthew Sanders (83′)

Green Gully:
1. Rhys KEANE (GK), 2. Daniel JONES, 3. Ante CICAK, 5. Rodrigo VARGAS, 8. Jason HAYNE, 11. Scott ROBSON, 12. Matthew SANDERS (18. Joel NIKOLIC 83′), 15. Hamid BASMA (9. Brent FISHER 68′), 16. Mile MEDJEDOVIC, 19. Johnathon MUNOZ (7. Jeffrey FLEMING 75′), 20. Osagie EDERARO.

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 4. Steven O’DOR, 6. Dimi TSIARAS, 9. Trent RIXON (20. Gianni DE NITTIS 65′), 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Bradley NORTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 15. Fernando DE MORAES (7. Joe KEENAN 68′), 23. Jason TRIFIRO (18. Marinos GASPARIS 80′), 25. Kyle JORYEFF

SMFC Man of the Match: Dimi Tsiaras
Venue: Green Gully Reserve
Date: Saturday 14 April 2012

Friday, 13 April 2012 11:33 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC travels to Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon attempting to break a 26 year hoodoo at the ground when it takes on Green Gully.

South heads into the game on the back of two victories in its opening two Victorian Premier League matches, its best start to a VPL season since the Championship winning year of 2006. Prior to the Easter break, South defeated promoted Moreland Zebras 4-0 at Lakeside Stadium before three second half goals choked the Oakleigh Cannons 1-3 at Jack Edwards Reserve.

Coach Peter Tsolakis has a near full strength squad to choose from, with all players in excellent form. Left-back Rhodri Payne trained well during the week and will be in contention for a recall to the senior squad following a pre-season injury that prevented him from playing in the opening two rounds. Joe ‘Crackers’ Keenan, who spent all of 2011 injured, came off the bench against the Cannons and scored within seven minutes before playing the long ball forward that resulted in Trent Rixon’s 94th minute goal. Keenan will also be in contention for a starting place, as will Dimi Hatzimouratis, who has been solid as a substitute. The likes of Marinos Gasparis and Gianni De Nittis also need to be considered. The only concern is right back Tom Matthews, who sustained an injury at training during the week and may be unavailable to play. If so, Tsolakis may opt to put Payne into left-back and switch Bradley Norton to the right.

Back-to-back Champions Green Gully have started 2012 inconsistently, losing against Bentleigh Greens 4-1 in the opening round before defeating Heidelberg United 4-0 in the second round. Gully have traditionally started the VPL season slowly before powering home in the later rounds and more often than not winning the Championship after a strong finals series. One of Gully’s biggest strengths is their ability to grind out results no matter who the opposition or what personnel are in their team on any given match day.

It is well known that one of South’s bogey grounds is Green Gully Reserve, a venue that South have not tasted victory in since 8th September 1986, when goals from Bobby Russell and Manny Anezakis gave the away side a 0-2 victory. South has not defeated Green Gully at their venue since returning to the Victorian Premier League in 2005. In fact South has only managed two points from a possible 21, which does not even include the penalty shoot-out loss against Gully in the Major Semi Final in 2005. In further bad news, South has only scored four times at Green Gully Reserve since that win in 1986. In the corresponding fixture last season on 14th May 2011, two Fernando De Moraes penalties were not enough in a 3-2 loss.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 3:00pm at Green Gully Reserve.

Last time we met

Wednesday, 11 April 2012 1:31 PM

The draw for the zonal playoffs in the FFV State Knockout Cup was held yesterday with South Melbourne FC being drawn against Malvern City. The match is set to be played on the weekend of 28th-29th April.

The FFV State Knockout Cup is a competition that includes clubs from all levels of the Victorian Football. Initially 130 clubs entered the Cup competition. In this round, the 24 clubs from the Victorian Premier League and State League One will join the remaining 24 teams left for the zonal playoffs.

South faced Malvern City earlier this year in the group stage of the Hellenic Cup, where new recruit Glen Trifiro scored a brace, including an unstoppable free kick, and a goal from Joe Keenan saw South triumph 3-0 to see off a dogged Malvern side in a match played in pouring rain.

The winner of this fixture will meet the winner from the other match in the zone, Port Melbourne vs. Yarraville Glory.

Match details to be released shortly.

Friday, 6 April 2012 4:45 PM

One of the highlights on South Melbourne’s event calendar is the annual Player Auction Night. This year’s event is set for Friday 27th

April at Beachcomber Restaurant at the St Kilda Baths at 7pm. A two-course meal, with beer, wine, and soft drink will be provided.

As a principal partner of the Club, Beachcomber is set in the perfect location with its spectacular and uninterrupted views of Port Phillip Bay. The evening will provide an excellent opportunity to meet the playing group in a relaxed and informal environment.

One of the highlights of the evening will be the football panel discussion. All eyes will be on which South player records the largest bid.

Details of the event are listed below:

SMFC Player Auction Night

Friday 27th April at 7pm
Beachcomber Restaurant
St Kilda Baths (10-18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda)
Tickets: $50

To reserve your table for the event, please contact the Club on 9645 9797.

Wednesday, 4 April 2012 12:54 AM

Any junior general enquiries please contact Harry Gatsoulis on 0458 813 837 or email hgatsoulis@bigpond.com

For all related sub-junior enquiries contact Stav Sakalis on 0414 403 690

Saturday, 31 March 2012 11:17 PM

By John Kyrou 
Photo courtesy of Anita Milas – www.victorypix.com

South Melbourne FC continued its 100 per cent winning start to the season after coming from a goal down to defeat the Oakleigh Cannons 1-3 at Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night. Second half goals to Fernando De Moraes, substitute Joe Keenan and Trent Rixon gave South its second victory in the 2012 Victorian Premier League season.

The first half was a scrappy affair, with South struggling to get into any real sense of rhythm. Former South player Goran Zoric was offering Oakleigh some trickery down the right flank, but most of his crosses were comfortably dealt with by Peter Gavalas and the South defence. Rixon appeared to have been fouled in the centre of the park in the 25th minute, however referee Lucien Laverdure waved play on. This resulted in the Cannons taking the lead thanks to Hayden Doyle being allowed time and space to hit a low shot into Gavalas’ bottom right corner. Despite going a goal down, the South players didn’t fire up until shortly before the halftime break.

There was only one team that was going to win the match after the break. South coach Peter Tsolakis had stressed to his team that they needed to continue pushing forward and that the chances would come. South were caught marginally offside a couple of times before the breakthrough arrived in the 56th minute. Rixon had his one-on-one saved but De Moraes was on hand to tap home the rebound and send the away fans into wild celebrations. Luke Byles, Steven O’Dor and Matthews were all immense in defence as South’s midfield also got well on top of their Cannons opponents. It seemed only a matter of when, not if, South would score the next goal. De Moraes almost set the place alight again when he was fed a wonderful through-ball but his chip over Daniel Neesham hit the post and stayed out.

Joe Keenan had been named on the substitute bench for the first time since he last played for the Club in 2010 and Tsolakis decided to bring him on in the 75th minute. It took only eight minutes for the popular Englishman to reward his coach and the South supporters by stamping his mark on the match, when he received the ball on the right before cutting inside and hitting a left-footed shot that snuck under Neesham and into the back of the net. With South well and truly on top, a third goal would have been the icing on the cake in what had been a memorable second half. It arrived deep into the fourth minute of injury time, when a long ball down the left side was pounced upon by Rixon, who out-muscled the Oakleigh defence before smashing the ball past Neesham’s near post to seal the 1-3 victory in style.

With the Easter break next week, coach Tsolakis said that “it will be a good opportunity for the guys to have a rest and re-charge in time for the Green Gully game (in two week’s time)… we have a full squad to choose from but there will be injuries and suspensions as the season goes on so it will be important to rotate the squad accordingly…but so far so good.”

In the Under 21s, South were too strong for the Cannons with a thumping 4-1 victory.

There are no VPL games next week over the Easter break, with South’s next match being against Green Gully on Saturday 14 April 2012 at Green Gully Reserve. Kick-off is at 3:00pm.

FINAL SCORE: OAKLEIGH CANNONS 1-3 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Hayden Doyle (25′)
1-1: Fernando De Moraes (56′)
1-2: Joe Keenan (83′)
1-3: Trent Rixon (90+4′)

Oakleigh Cannons:
35. Daniel NEESHAM (GK), 2. James CUMMINGS, 6. Rama TAVSANCIOGLU, 7. Bonel OBRADOVIC, 10. Ricky DIACO, 11. Jesse KRNCEVIC, 12. Luke WALKER, 16. Frankie LAGANA, 19. Goran ZORIC, 20. Ari DRAKOS, 21. Hayden DOYLE
Subs: 13. Caleb RUFER, 23. Daniel DRAGICEVIC, 4. Zac WALKER, 14. Jeremy WALKER, 1. Pat SATORIE

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATHEWS, 4. Steven O’DOR, 6. Dimi TSIARAS, 9. Trent RIXON, 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Brad NORTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 15. Fernando DE MORAES (8. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS 87′), 23. Jason TRIFIRO, 25. Kyle JORYEFF (7. Joe KEENAN 75′)

SMFC Man of the Match: Luke Byles
Venue: Jack Edwards Reserve
Date: Friday 30 March 2012