Author: SMFC Media

Saturday, 23 August 2008 10:11 PM

In what will be the final game of a disappointing 2008 season, South will make the long trip down Eastlink to take on bottom-placed Frankston.

Despite sitting in the final position on the ladder, the Pines have caused many teams problems at home this year, taking points off most sides in the competition at Monterey Reserve. Their aim will be to finish the season on a high and take something from the game against South.

South will also go into the game with a similar aim, wanting one final win to end the season on a positive note.

The Blues will be lead by reliable defender Steven O’Dor, who was awarded the 2008 SMFC MVP on Friday night.

O’Dor has had a stellar season since returning from Wellington in the off-season and has once again asserted himself this season as one of the premier defenders in the state. He will form a formidable back four with Adam Van Dommele, Sam Poutakidis and Shane Nunes.

One player who will not be playing for the Blues will be goalkeeper Tommi Tomich, who has been loaned to Melbourne Victory for 3 weeks. Tomich has impressed everyone with his performances since arriving at South and was subsequently rewarded with a chance in the national league.

Replacing the big goalkeeper will be youngster Stefan Sardelic, who will play his first senior game for the club. With the retirement of Dean Anastasiadis, Sardelic will be given a chance on the back of a consistent season with the South Melbourne Under 21 team.

With South certain to miss the finals, it may also allow for Michael Michalakopoulos to give some other youngsters a chance in the senior side. One of these players could be young defender Srdjan Stefanovic, who won the 2008 SMFC Youth MVP award. Stefanovic has overcome a host of debilitating injuries to play some consistent football in the Under 21 side throughout the year.

South Melbourne FC urges all fans to make the trip to Frankston to support the team for one final time this year. Kick-off is at 3pm on Sunday.

South Melbourne FC vs Frankston

When: Sunday, August 24th
Where: Monterey Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm (Under 21s at 1pm)

Projected Starting line-ups

South Melbourne
Stefan Sardelic, Sam Poutakidis, Rama Tavsancioglu, Adam Van Dommele, Steven O’Dor, Shane Nunes, Goran Zoric, Sebastian Petrovic, Gianni De Nittis, Fernando De Moraes, Scott MacNicol

Frankston
Peter Zois (GK), Daniel Black, Jason Dimozantos, Trent Malcolm (C), Andrew Skledar, Daniel Miller, Craig Smart, Adam Fadljevic, Thomas Saad, Craig Metcalfe, Simon Mur

Head to head (Games since 2005)

Played : 5
South Melbourne : 4
Frankston : 0
Draw : 1

Last Meeting

When: Sunday, 18 May 2008
Where: Bob Jane Stadium
Score: South Melbourne 3 defeated Frankston 1

Form in 2008 (last 3 games)

South Melbourne: Win, Loss, Draw
Frankston: Win, Draw, Draw

Tuesday, 19 August 2008 4:31 PM

By George Kouroumalis
Photo by Peter Kakalias courtesy of Goal Weekly

Retiring legend Dean Anastasiadis produced a Man of the Match performance to ensure that South shared the spoils in the 1-1 draw against the Whittlesea Zebras at Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday.

With the club already out of the finals race due to Heidelberg and Preston winning their respective games, South went into the contest requiring only a single point to secure their position in the Foxtel Cup for the 2009 season. On the other hand, Whittlesea was fighting for survival in the Foxtel Cup, needing a win to try and leap out of the relegation zone and overtake South or Coburg.

The home side started the game in an attacking mood, going close in the 3rd minute when a Gianni De Nittis attempt went wide of the target.

However ten minutes later the energetic striker found the net. The goal was almost identical to the winning goal scored by De Nittis in the Grand Final in 2006, when a well-weighted and inch-perfect Fernando cross was met by the incoming De Nittis, who calmly headed the ball into the back of the net.

With Whittlesea’s position in the Foxtel Cup for 2009 hanging by a thread, the Zebras almost responded moments later, when a Goran Talevski run culminated in the defender hitting a superb strike onto the target. However Anastasiadis would not be denied and he made a crucial save to keep the home side ahead.

South continued to pile on the pressure in an attempt to double their advantage and a speculative shot by Fernando, as well as a audacious overhead attempt by Hamlet Armenian were two golden chances that went either side of the upright, with the Armenian volley taking a sizable deflection off a Zebras defender.

With South controlling possession and play in general, a quick Zebras counter attack ended with a stinging long-range shot by Talevski that forced yet another solid save by Anastasiadis. In an unlucky twist for the veteran, the ball fell into the path of Steve Martin, who slammed the ball into the back of the net, ensuring his side would go into the break on level terms and denying the big South custodian a clean sheet in his farewell game.

South were not satisfied in being level and in the second half went searching for another goal. Despite creating several opportunities, nothing got past Robert Simeoni in the Zebras goal. In a rather uninspiring half of football, South’s main chance came with eight minutes to go on the clock, when substitute Goran Zoric darted past a host of stagnant Whittlesea defenders before hitting a drive wide of the target.

The desperate Zebras went forward in one final attempt to pinch a late winning goal but were denied by Anastasiadis, whose class save gave South the precious point it needed to be assured of safety from the drop zone. In what was a well-constructed move, Taleveski turned provider by playing an excellent ball into the path of Ryan O’Hare. With just Anastasiadis to beat, O’Hare was acrobatically denied by the big goalkeeper.

The final whistle signaled the end of a magnificent career for ‘Deano’, after representing the club for 10 seasons and 158 league games. In a fitting farewell, he was chaired from the ground by his teammates, after thanking the home fans for their support over the years.

Tuesday, 19 August 2008 9:29 AM

Mens
Seniors – South Melbourne FC 1 – Whittlesea 1
Under 21 – South Melbourne FC 0 – Whittlesea 3

Womens
Seniors – South Melbourne FC 5 – Bendigo 0
Reserves – South Melbourne FC 0 – Bendigo 4

Juniors
Under 16 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 2 – Oakleigh 1
Under 14 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 1 – Beaumaris 2
Under 12A East – South Melbourne FC 2 – North Caulfield 0

Friday, 15 August 2008 7:44 PM

In what will be Dean Anastasiadis’ last home appearance for the club, South Melbourne will play host to the Whittlesea Zebras in an important contest on Sunday afternoon.

South will come into the game on the back of a heartbreaking loss against Richmond, conceding two late goals to secure a 0-2 defeat. With both Nathan Caldwell and Gianni De Nittis missing up front, South did not have enough attacking weapons in the front third to trouble the Richmond side.

This should improve significantly this week with De Nittis certain to return from suspension, whilst Nathan Caldwell will face another fitness test on his injured leg.

They will be joined by defender Shane Nunes, who will once again partner Steven O’Dor in the centre of defence after serving his three match ban.

The other key inclusion will be the captain and retiring veteran Dean Anastasiadis, who will be playing his final home game for the South Melbourne Football Club. With “Deano” being a much respected part of the playing squad, all players, staff and fans would like to see the veteran sign off on a fantastic career with one final win in front of his home crowd.

To do this, the Blues must overcome a determined Whittlesea outfit. The Zebras are a side that are on the brink of being relegated from the Foxtel Cup, as they languish in 4th last position on the table. With this threat hanging over their heads and with Coburg sitting two points above them, the Zebras will be throwing everything at South from the outset in an attempt to snare three crucial points.

A win for Whittlesea would also see them get within two points of South, with one round remaining after this weekend.

Kick-off for this huge contest is at 4pm and all fans are urged to get along to Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday to support the team and farewell a legend of the South Melbourne Football Club in Dean Anastasiadis.

South Melbourne FC vs Whittlesea Zebras

When: Sunday, August 17th
Where: Bob Jane Stadium
Kick-off: 4.00pm (Under 21s at 1.45pm)

Projected Starting line-ups

South Melbourne
Dean Anastasiadis (GK/C), Sam Poutakidis, Rama Tavsancioglou, Adam Van Dommele, Steven O’Dor, Shane Nunes, Goran Zoric, Sebastian Petrovich, Gianni De Nittis, Nathan Caldwell, Fernando De Moraes

Whittlesea Zebras
Robert Simeoni (GK), Ross Antoniadis, Steve Martin, Mark Vazzocchi, John Angelovski, Conner Molan, Gregory Lombardo, Goran Talevski, Antun Vulic, Ryan O’Hare, Anthony Colosimo

Head to head (Games since 2005)

Played : 2 (The Whittlesea Zebras were formed in 2007)
South Melbourne : 1
Whittlesea Zebras : 1
Draw : 0

Last Meeting

When: Sunday, 11 May 2008
Where: Epping Stadium
Score: South Melbourne 1 defeated Whittlesea Zebras 0

Form in 2008 (last 3 games)

South Melbourne: Loss, Win, Loss
Whittlesea Zebras: Loss, Win, Draw

Thursday, 14 August 2008 11:30 AM

The South Melbourne Football Club is pleased to announce that it is leading a bid from Melbourne for the licence to operate the second team from Victoria in the Hyundai A-League. The Club is presently involved in preliminary discussions with the FFA and has been invited to present its formal proposal for the licence later this month.

The bid which is compelling and broad based, involves the new team having a base at the soon to be redeveloped Bob Jane Stadium and incorporates the participation of a variety of stake holders from the Victorian Football community.

As part of the bid process, the South Melbourne Football Club has appointed an A-League Bid Team to finalise and present the bid to the FFA. The Bid Team is confident that the new team will be embraced by all football followers in this State.

South Melbourne FC, which will remain independent of the new entity and will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, will continue its participation in Victorian Football and its ongoing development and expansion of football in Australia.

Wednesday, 13 August 2008 12:38 PM

South Melbourne FC would like to invite all SMFC club members and sponsors to meet with President Leo Athanasakis on Sunday at 2pm, prior to the match against the Whittlesea Zebras.

Following the recent announcements regarding SMFC’s involvement in the bid for the next A-League franchise in Victoria, Mr Athanasakis will hold an open forum with the membership and valued sponsors, providing the opportunity for members and sponsors to ask questions with respect to our involvement in the bid.

The meeting will take place in the Champions Bar at Bob Jane Stadium.

Monday, 11 August 2008 1:34 PM

Mens
Seniors – South Melbourne FC 0 – Richmond 2
Under 21 – South Melbourne FC 0 – Richmond 1

Womens
Seniors – South Melbourne FC 2 – Heidelberg 4
Reserves – South Melbourne FC 0 – Heidelberg 5
State League 3 – South Melbourne FC 3 – Ashburton 4
Under 14B Metro – South Melbourne FC 2 – Glen Eira

Juniors
Under 18 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 2 – Green Gully 2
Under 16 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 0 – Springvale 3
Under 15A East – South Melbourne FC 3 – Brandon Park 1
Under 14 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 0 – Peninsula Strikers JFC 1
Under 13 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 5 – N.T.C 0
Under 13A East – South Melbourne FC 1 – Riversdale Raiders 1
Under 12A East – South Melbourne FC 6 – Ashburton 1
Under 11 East – South Melbourne FC 7 – Richmond 0

Monday, 11 August 2008 9:30 AM

By George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne seems destined to miss out on finals action for a second consecutive season after the Blues conceded two late goals to lose 2-0 against a disciplined and hungry Richmond side on Friday night.

In what was dubbed as a six-point game prior to kick-off, South ventured to Richmond with strike duo Nathan Caldwell and Gianni De Nittis missing through injury and suspension. With Ricky Diaco already out injured, South went into the game with only one recognised striker on the team sheet, with youngster Hamlet Armenian expected to carry out the attacking duties.

In contrast, Richmond recalled Richard Cardozo to the starting line-up, with the goal sneak joining his brother Pablo up front to form a dynamic partnership that caused problems for the South defence throughout the entire match.

South started the game brightly with two speculative long range attempts by Fernando failing to trouble Richmond goalkeeper Stuart Webster, with the ball swinging wide of the target and out for a goal kick on both occasions. With vocal support behind them, the away side also came close in the 19th minute, when Fernando played a well-weighted through ball into the path of Hamlet Armenian. With Webster to beat, Armenian scuffed his shot, sending a simple ball into the arms of the prying goalkeeper.

In response, Richmond mustered its first threatening opportunity minutes later when a swinging corner found the head of Marco Kuck at the back post. Kuck then hit a headed ball back toward the six-yard box, causing panic in the South defence. With no defender able to clear the ball to safety, Dimitri Tsiaris muscled his way into the area and slipped an opportunistic strike on goal agonisingly wide of the target to the dismay of the home contingent.

South continued to pile on the pressure and nearly opened the scoring just before the interval, when a lovely run by Goran Zoric culminated in the midfielder skipping past a host of defenders before hitting a firm drive toward the bottom left hand corner. However the shot was cleanly foiled by Webster, who ensured that his side would go into the half time interval on level terms.

South had the first opportunity of the second half, with Fernando once again attempting a speculative long range attempt that flew inches over the bar. Richmond responded almost immediately when former South NSL player George Goutzoulis found his way into the area and within shooting range. With the defence backtracking, Goutzoulis hit a low drive on target, only for the ball to be saved well by Tommi Tomich in the South goal.

Despite the misses, Richmond did manage to find themselves in front in the 75th minute, when some lapse South marking allowed for the ball to fall into the path of Pablo Cardozo just outside the area. With Tomich inches off his line, Cardozo attempted an audacious volley that managed to dip substantially to find the back of the net.

With South unable to create many more chances in response, Cardozo iced the game five minutes later, after the Eagles were awarded a penalty when Goutzoulis was fouled just inside the area. From the resultant penalty, the Foxtel Cup leading goal scorer sent Tomich the wrong way to send his side closer to a finals birth.

The result means that Richmond moves up to third on the Foxtel Cup ladder and due to superior goal difference almost guarantees themselves a finals position. In contrast, South’s finals hopes are almost impossible, with the club needing to win their last two games as well as rely on a magnitude of other results going their way to sneak into the top six. Ironically, the club is also still in danger of being sucked into the relegation zone, however a win against Whittlesea at Bob Jane Stadium next Sunday will confirm the club’s status in the Foxtel Cup in 2009. Kick-off is at 4pm.

Friday, 8 August 2008 11:10 AM

By George Kouroumalis
After a hard fought home win last weekend, South Melbourne will head into Friday’s crunch contest against Richmond knowing that a win could see the Blues in touching distance of the top six.
The Blues turned around some indifferent form with a solid performance in front of its home crowd last weekend against the high flying Altona side. With such a performance behind them, South has given themselves a final shot at making the top six this season, with Friday’s game considered to make or break the club’s top six prospects.
South will regain the services of veteran Sam Poutakidis for the encounter, with the experienced defender resuming after serving a one week suspension last week. Poutakidis will form part of a back four that will need to be on guard in an attempt to repel any Richmond attacking foray forward. This is imperative with Richmond being the most attacking side of the competition, scoring the most goals so far in season 2008. Should South shut down the Richmond attack, then the club will go a long way to winning the contest.
Leading this attack will be former NSL veteran Pablo Cardozo, who has had an exceptional first season with the Eagles. In his 20 matches so far, Cardozo leads the league in scoring, having found the net on 18 occasions and playing a major part in Richmond’s attacking style of football.
The other crucial area of the match will be South’s attacking third. With Nathan Caldwell limping off last weekend and facing a last minute fitness test on Friday, South will need to rely on the services of Hamlet Armenian and attacking midfielders Fernando and Goran Zoric to attack the Richmond defence. In a season where South has been involved in many close contests, converting chances against a highly rated and hard working opponent could be what will give the Blues the edge on matchday.
All fans are encouraged to get along to Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Friday and support the team in this crucial fixture. Kick off is at 8.15pm.

South Melbourne FC vs Richmond

When: Friday, August 8th
Where: Kevin Bartlett Reserve
Kick-off: 8.15pm (Under 21s at 6.15pm)

Projected Starting line-ups

South Melbourne
Tommi Tomich (GK), Sam Poutakidis, Rama Tavsancioglou, Adam Van Dommele, Steven O’Dor, Sebastian Petrovich, Goran Zoric, Scott MacNicol, Gianni De Nittis, Fernando De Moraes, Hamlet Armenian

Richmond
Stuart Webster (GK), Jimmy Latinopoulos, Shane Rexhepi, Dimitri Tsiaras, Jesse Krncevic, George Goutzioulis, Pablo Cardozo, Michael Catalano, Zoran Cvetkovski, Noel Bahnsen, Richard Cardozo

Head to head (Games since 2005)

Played : 5
South Melbourne : 4
Richmond : 1
Draw : 0

Last Meeting

When: Sunday, May 4th
Where: Bob Jane Stadium
Score: South Melbourne 1 defeated Richmond 0

Form in 2008 (last 3 games)

South Melbourne: Draw, Loss, Win
Richmond: Draw, Draw, Win

Thursday, 7 August 2008 3:52 PM

In this week’s edition, smfc.com.au has caught up with SMFC goalkeeper Tommi Tomich

Tomich has impressed all at lakeside in his short stint at the club, playing a key role in South’s second half of the season, as well as providing Michael Michalakopoulos with another quality goalkeeping option alongside veteran Dean Anastasiadis.

With a massive contest against Richmond coming up this Friday night, Tommi was kind enough to spare a minute of his time to answer a few questions about himself.

Full Name
Tomislav Tomich

Nickname
It varies, but in Perth I was known as T (pronounced tee)

Position
Goalkeeper

What has been your career highlight to date?
It would have to be my debut for Perth Glory in the Hyundai A-League against Melbourne Victory.

What has been your career low point to date?
This would have to be being released by Perth Glory at the end of last season

What is your favourite type of music?
I love listening to Hip Hop

What is your favourite overseas club?
The one and only Arsenal of England

What is your Favourite AFL club?
Fremantle Dockers

Who is the footballer you most admire (any code of football)?
This would have to be Thierry Henry of Barcelona (formerly of Arsenal). He is a world class player in front of goal, which he combines with extreme speed and skill that is second to none. Cannot get enough of watching him play.

What is your favourite food?
Calamari

Who is your funniest team-mate?
This is a very tough call, we have a great squad at South. However standouts would be the veteran Dean Anastasiadis, Sammy Poutakidis and Ricky Diaco. These guys are always good to have a laugh with.

Who is better looking, Megan Gale or Jennifer Hawkins?
Megan Gale

What are you future ambitions?
My ambition is to be playing professional football once again. Given my experience in the A-League, I would love to be playing at that level once again.

Your house is on fire and you have been told you can only take one thing with you. What would you take?
My girlfriend without a doubt!

Do you have any final comments for the SMFC faithful?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone club – staff, players and supporters – for making my short time so far at South fantastic. Everyone has made me feel so welcome and this has been great to help me settle in.