Thursday, 9 June 2011 4:22 PM
On the sixiteenth episode of southRadio in 2011, we review the Round 15 clash against Heidelberg United, and preview the upcoming game between South Melbourne FC and Albirex Niigata Singapore FC.
Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for southRadio please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au
Click here to download episode 16 of southRadio (MP3) – Right Click and Save As
Thursday, 9 June 2011 10:43 AM
South Melbourne FC was one of five invited foreign teams to participate in the 2011 RHB Singapore Cup. It is the fourteenth staging of the annual Singapore Cup tournament.
The format of the tournament remains unchanged from the previous edition in 2010. South Melbourne FC has been drawn against S League club Albirex Niigata Singapore FC. The first round match has been scheduled for Sunday 12th June at the Jalan Besar Stadium, with kick off set for 7.30pm local time (9.30pm AEST).
The first round of fixtures involve one off elimination matches, with subsequent rounds involving matches to be played over two legs.
Apart from South Melbourne FC, the other four foreign teams that have been invited to participate include:
• Pattaya United (Thailand)
• Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodia)
• Okktha United (Myanmar)
• Harimau Muda (Malaysia)
South’s opponent is a satellite team of Albirex Niigata of Japan, and its playing roster is largely comprised of Japanese players. The side joined the S League in 2004 and has attracted praise from the local media for their professional approach. Albirex Niigata Singapore FC wears a predominantly orange playing strip, with white as its away colours. Its major corporate partner is Canon. Over the previous seven years, its highest achievement has been to finish in fifth position on the S League ladder, while it finished fourth in the 2009 RHB Singapore Cup.
In 2010, South Melbourne FC reached the quarterfinal stage of the tournament. In the elimination first round match, South overcame Gombak United 2-1 with first half goals to Daniel Vasilevski and Joseph Youssef. In the quarterfinal stage, South Melbourne FC lost over two legs to the eventual champion Bangkok Glass 6-4 on aggregate.
Should South Melbourne FC be successful in overcoming Albirex Niigata Singapore FC, it will meet the winner of the match between Singapore Armed Forces FC and Phnom Penh Crown. The quarter final matches are scheduled to be played over two legs in late September.
The squad that will be travelling to Singapore is listed below:
2. Thomas Matthews (Defender)
5. Daniel Vasilevski (Midfielder)
6. Steven Topalovic (Midfielder)
8. Carl Recchia (Midfielder)
10. Kliment Taseski (Forward)
11. Jesse Krncevic (Forward)
14. Steven Weir (Forward)
16. Trent Waterson (Forward)
18. Marinos Gasparis (Midfielder)
20. Daniel Dragicevic (Forward)
21. Zaim Zeneli (Goalkeeper)
23. Sebastian Petrovich (Midfielder)
25. Kyle Joryeff (Forward)
33. Bobby Russell (Midfielder)
80. Meyer Carlos De Camargo Junior (Defender)
For any queries, please contact Nick Galatas on +61 3 9645 9797 or media@smfc.com.au
Thursday, 9 June 2011 10:41 AM
Port Melbourne has handed South Melbourne FC a disappointing Fifth Round Mirabella Cup defeat on Wednesday evening at SS Anderson Reserve. The come-from-behind 2-1 win gave the State League 1 side a thoroughly deserved victory against a disappointing South side that seemed to just go through the motions after taking the lead in the first half.
South were forced to leave out several players for the game, with Jesse Krncevic serving the first of his five-game suspension against Port Melbourne. Also missing were Junior Camargo, Tom Matthews and new signing Steven Weir, with all players being Cup-tied after playing for other clubs earlier in the competition. In better news, Carl Recchia returned to the starting line-up after being out of the team since sustaining a nasty ankle injury against Hume on 17 April.
Both sides started the game conservatively but it was South who drew first blood just short of the half-hour mark when Daniel Vasilevski headed home a great cross from Daniel Dragicevic on the right. Port scored before the half-time break but the goal was disallowed for offside. In the second half, captain-coach Eric Vassiliadis substituted himself onto the field and the game immediately changed. South went forward and blew a glorious three-on-one opportunity to double their lead before Port took the ball down to the other end and equalised with a headed goal similar to Vasilevski’s first half effort for South. From there it was all Port, with the Sharks missing a few open goals with little reply from South as the match headed into extra time.
The score remained at 1-1 throughout a nervy first half of extra time but changed in the 109th minute when Port scored what proved to be the winning goal, again converting a cross that came from the right side. Unfortunately for South, it was nothing more than what the Sharks deserved after clearly being the better side on the night. Despite having 10 minutes to muster up an equalising goal and send the match to a penalty shoot-out, South offered little more than a whimper and the full-time result confirmed its departure from the inaugural Mirabella Cup competition. Full credit must be given to Port Melbourne for defeating a side a division above them. By sitting second on the State League 1 ladder plus knocking off a Victorian Premier League side in the Cup, there is no doubt that the Sharks are well on their way to playing Victorian Premier League football in 2012.
South Melbourne FC must re-group very quickly before jetting off to Singapore on Friday evening before playing S-League side Albirex Niigata at the Jalan Besar Stadium in the First Round of the RHB Singapore Cup on Sunday night.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-2 PORT MELBOURNE (HT: 1-0)
SMFC Goal Scorer: Daniel Vasilevski (29′)
South Melbourne FC Line-up:
4. Steven O’DOR, 5. Daniel VASILEVSKI, 6. Steven TOPALOVIC (12. Brad TRELOAR 91′), 8. Carl RECCHIA, 10. Kliment TASESKI (23. Sebastian PETROVIC 71′), 12. Daniel DRAGICEVIC, 16. Trent WATERSON, 18. MARINOS GASPARIS (33. Bobby RUSSELL 81′), 20. Tony LOMBARDI, 21. Zaim ZENELI (GK), 25. KYLE JORYEFF
SMFC Man of the Match: Kliment Taseski
Venue: SS Anderson Reserve
Date: Wednesday 8 June 2011
Tuesday, 7 June 2011 11:13 PM
South Melbourne FC resumes its Mirabella Cup campaign on Wednesday night when it faces Port Melbourne at SS Anderson Reserve in what will no doubt be an intriguing Fifth Round match-up. Despite the clubs having never met before in League competition, the match could be classified as a derby due to the close proximity of SS Anderson Reserve to Lakeside Stadium.
One of the attractions of Cup football throughout the world is seeing whether a team from a lower division can defeat a team in a higher division and Wednesday’s game will be no different as State League 1 plays off against the Victorian Premier League. South cruised through the Fourth Round of the Cup thanks to a 14-0 victory over State League 3 opponent Yarraville Glory on 26 April but will without a doubt face a much tougher opponent in Port Melbourne, who may have a slight advantage due to the match being played on their home ground. Despite a 1-1 away draw against Sunshine George Cross on Sunday, Port still remain in second place on the State League 1 ladder and are well on course for promotion into the Victorian Premier League for season 2012. Should that occur, it would be Port’s first season back in Victoria’s top flight since being relegated in 2003. Port comfortably won its Fourth Round match 6-0 against South Yarra on 3 May to set up Wednesday night’s match.
South drew 0-0 against rivals Heidelberg United in its Victorian Premier League match on the weekend and the players will want a win against Port before jetting off to Singapore on Friday to play against Albirex Niigata Singapore FC in the First Round of the RHB Singapore Cup on Sunday night. Despite the hectic schedule (Bentleigh on 27 May, VTC on 31 May, Heidelberg on 5 June, Port on 8 June and Albirex on 12 June), the players are relishing the challenge of playing up to three games a week. With players returning from injury (notably Carl Recchia) and with new signings joining the club in recent weeks (including Steven Weir in the last few days), there should be no excuses for South to not win Wednesday’s match and progress to the next round.
Wednesday night’s match kicks off at 7:30PM at SS Anderson Reserve in Port Melbourne.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011 11:10 PM
South Melbourne FC, with the assistance of the Football Association of Singapore, would like to announce that all fans will have the opportunity to follow the Club’s RHB Singapore Cup first round match against Albirex Niigata Singapore FC.
The Club has organised a live online audio broadcast of the match, which can be heard on smfc.com.au. Join the southRadio team who will provide live commentary.
2011 RHB Singapore Cup
South Melbourne FC vs. Albirex Niigata Singapore FC
Sunday 12th June
Jalan Besar Stadium
Kick off 7.30pm (local Singaporean time) 9.30pm (AEST)
Live audio broadcast commences at 9.25pm AEST on smfc.com.au
Go to smfc.com.au, and click on the link provided to catch all the action as South Melbourne FC looks to progress to the quarterfinal of the 2011 RHB Singapore Cup.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011 11:09 PM
South Melbourne FC would like to announce that it has secured the services of Steven Weir for the rest of the 2011 Victorian Premier League season. Weir joins South Melbourne FC from Hume City, where he played 13 games and scored 7 goals in 2011 for his previous side. South fans will remember Weir who scored twice for Hume City against South Melbourne FC in Round 9, when South lost heavily 5-0 at Broadmeadows Valley Park.
South Melbourne FC is delighted to welcome Steven to the club and wishes him all the best.
Sunday, 5 June 2011 11:28 PM
South Melbourne FC produced a gutsy second-half performance in the 0-0 draw against traditional rivals Heidelberg United on Sunday afternoon at John Cain Memorial Park.
The first half was a dour affair, with few chances created. South pressed forward in numbers but the final ball was always lacking. The Bergers looked dangerous when going forward however like South the final ball was lacking.
South made several changes early in the second half, with Kyle Joryeff and Kliment Taseski bought on to add some pace. However a huge decision set South back, with Jesse Krncevic controversially given a straight red card.
As a result, South was on the back foot with one less player, but to the home side’s enormous credit, they stepped up the pressure and finished the match the stronger of the two sides. Daniel Vasilevski had a great opportunity to win the game from a set piece, however, his shot flew half a yard wide of McMaster’s goal.
Heidelberg were always dangerous on the counter attack but it was clear that the Bergers were clearly missing the services of their front man Osagie Ederaro, who was still serving a suspension. Whilst the Bergers came close on a few occasions, Zaim Zeneli hardly looked tested in the South goal. In the end, the full-time whistle confirmed a nil all draw.
The draw keeps both sides in the top five, with South retaining third spot while moving to 28 points, with the Bergers just behind them in fourth place with 26 points. South is two points off top place but have played one game more than first-placed Hume City and two games more than second-placed Oakleigh.
South Melbourne FC’s next match is against Port Melbourne at SS Anderson Reserve on Wednesday night in what is the Fifth Round of the Mirabella Cup, with kick-off at 7:30pm.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 0-0 HEIDELBERG UNITED (HT: 0-0)
South Melbourne FC
2. Tom MATTHEWS, 3. Rhodri PAYNE (16. Trent WATERSON 72’), 4. Steven O’DOR, 5. Daniel VASILEVSKI, 6. STEVEN TOPALOVIC, 11. Jesse KRNCEVIC (sent off), 12. Daniel DRAGICEVIC (25. Kyle JORYEFF 58’), 18. Marinos GASPARIS (10. Kliment TASESKI 55’), 21. Zaim ZENELI, 23. Sebastian PETROVIC, 80. Junior CAMARGO
Heidelberg United
1. G.McMaster, 14. C.Elvin, 13. L.Byles, 3. L.Doumbalis, 2. Y.Hailemelkot, 7. H.Armenian, 11. E.Christodoulou, 23. T.Nishimots, 16. S.Martin, 20. S.Alexovski, 9. S.McIlroy
Subs: 8. A.Nabbout, 21. J.Samangis, 22. D.Alilavic, 32. J.Koutodontis, 4. M.Tancevski
SMFC Man of the Match: Steven Topalovic
Venue: John Cain Memorial Park
Date: Sunday 5 June 2011
Thursday, 2 June 2011 12:33 PM
South Melbourne FC has an enormous opportunity to turn its 2011 Victorian Premier League campaign around when it hosts Heidelberg United in the big derby at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon. The match pits the Victorian Premier League’s third placed team against fourth and should other results go favourably, a South win could remarkably see the Club finish in equal top spot at the conclusion of the round.
It has been no secret that South’s form in May has suffered considerably due to a range of factors. The ‘mad month of May’ term that is used so frequently in British football also applied in South’s case, as the Club struggled through suspensions and injuries as well as a dip in form to secure only 7 points from a possible 18. However, in more positive news, a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Bentleigh last Friday night was turned around with a 6-0 thumping of the VTC on Tuesday night, thanks to a hat trick from Daniel Vasilevski, a double from captain Steven O’Dor and a first SMFC goal by mid-season signing Junior Camargo. Although the VTC did not present the hardest of opposition, the important two things that came out of Tuesday’s victory was the fact that South were back into positive goal difference and that the side had a real sense of hunger and determination to win. In further positive news, vice captain Carl Recchia is a chance to play against the Bergers following the nasty rolled ankle he sustained in the loss against Hume City on 17 April.
However if there is one side that would be super confident in defeating South, it would be Heidelberg. The Bergers have enjoyed a remarkable record against their big rivals in Victorian Premier League competition, having not lost against South since 21st May 2006, when goals from George Tzirtis (29′), Fernando De Moraes (53′) and Vaughan Coveny (75′) gave South a 3-1 victory at Lakeside. 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. In the corresponding fixture last season, a 91st minute injury time header by Recchia gave South a 1-1 draw against Heidelberg at Lakeside. Earlier this season, Marinos Gasparis headed home in injury-time to secure a point for South in the 2-2 draw at Olympic Village.
The Bergers will be without prolific forward Osagie Ederaro, who is still suspended following a red card received a few weeks ago against Bentleigh. South was delighted to see Sebastian Petrovic start and play an hour against the VTC, with Kliment Taseski appearing off the bench. Both players have returned into the side after missing a considerable part of May following ankle and hamstring injuries. With their inclusion as well as Recchia’s return being imminent, coupled with the determination shown by the side on Tuesday night, South will be going into Sunday’s match confident of upsetting the Bergers. The only blight is that champion midfielder Fernando De Moraes will still be sidelined for at least another couple of weeks after tearing his hamstring a few weeks ago.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 3:00pm at John Cain Memorial Park. South supporters are encouraged to attend in big numbers to give their Club as much support as possible to try and break the five year hoodoo against the Bergers.
Sunday, 29 May 2011 10:05 PM
On the fifteenth episode of southRadio in 2011, we review the Round 14 clash against Bentleigh Greens, and preview SMFC’s upcoming League games this week against the VTC and Heidelberg United.
Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for southRadio please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au
Click here to download episode 15 of southRadio (MP3) – Right Click and Save As
Sunday, 29 May 2011 10:00 PM
South Melbourne FC has slipped out of the top five following a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to the Bentleigh Greens last Friday night. The result also means that the Greens have overtaken South on goal difference, pushing the Blues down to seventh spot on the Victorian Premier League ladder after 14 rounds of competition. The win was Bentleigh’s first over South in Victorian Premier League competition and was revenge for the 2-1 defeat at John Cain Memorial Park earlier in the season.
South began the match brightly and had several half chances to open the scoring through Steven Topalovic and Jesse Krncevic, with Krncevic forcing a good save from Bentleigh keeper Peter Gavalas. However, it was the Greens who were to break through and score the winning goal after 32 minutes, when Alex Rojas’ free kick found Wayne Wallace, who scored a great header past Zaim Zeneli in the South goal. The goal had come against the run of play.
The away side spent the majority of the half pressing for an equalising goal whilst the Greens were happy to sit back and try to punish on the counter-attack. The home side came close a few times, with the biggest opportunity resulting in Rhodri Payne clearing the ball off the line and out for a corner. South’s best chance came from Tom Matthews, who received a cut-back from the right hand and took a first touch to set himself up before seeing his shot blocked by the Bentleigh defence and cleared.
In the end, the full time whistle signalled the end of a disastrous month of May for South Melbourne FC that has seen the Club win only four points from a possible 15, scoring only two goals and conceding nine. For Bentleigh, the result continues their eight match unbeaten run in the Victorian Premier League, which has seen their fortunes change significantly since South legend John Anastasiadis replaced Andy O’Dell as coach at Kingston Heath earlier in the season.
South Melbourne FC simply must change its fortunues around this week, with a mid-week match against the Victorian Training Centre before a huge derby match against high-flying Heidelberg United at John Cain Memorial Park next Sunday afternoon.
FINAL SCORE: BENTLEIGH GREENS 1-0 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 1-0)
Goal Scorer:
1-0: Wayne Wallace (32′)
Bentleigh Greens
1. Peter GAVALAS, 12. Adam FADLJEVIC, 14. Aaron WILFORD, 17. Jack WEBSTER, 20. Luke PILKINGTON, 8. Wayne WALLACE, 11. Alex ROJAS (10. Scott BULLOCH 70′), 16. Ryan DAVIDSON, 22. Stuart NICHOLSON, 23. Ryan DE VRIES, 6. Michael GWYTHER (7. James McGARRY 85′)
South Melbourne FC
21. Zaim ZENELI, 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 3. Rhodri PAYNE, 4. Steven O’DOR, 5. Daniel VASILEVSKI (18. Marinos GASPARIS 82′), 6. Steven TOPALOVIC, 9. Jean DUBOIS, 11. Jesse KRNCEVIC, 13. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 20. Daniel DRAGICEVIC (25. Kyle JORYEFF 63′), 80. Junior CAMARGO (16. Trent WATERSON 80′)
SMFC Man of the Match: Kyle Joryeff
Venue: Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Date: Friday 27 May 2011