Author: SMFC Media

Tuesday, 10 June 2008 11:03 AM

Mens
Seniors – South Melbourne FC 0 – Western Suburbs 0
Under 21 – South Melbourne FC 0 – Western Suburbs 2

Womens
State League 3 – South Melbourne FC 3 – Ashburton 3
Under 14B Metro – South Melbourne FC 1 – Glen Eira 1

Juniors
Under 18 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 2 – Keilor Park JSC 1
Under 16 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 4 – Springvale White Eagles 1
Under 15A East – South Melbourne FC 5 – Brandon Park 2
Under 14 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 0 – Peninsula Strikers JFC 2
Under 13 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 3 – N.T.C 1
Under 12A East – South Melbourne FC 6 – Ashburton 0
Under 11 East – South Melbourne FC 7 – Richmond 0

Tuesday, 10 June 2008 10:22 AM

By George Kouroumalis

A superb defensive effort by Western Suburbs has seen the Foxtel Cup strugglers hold South Melbourne to a 0-0 draw at Ralph Reserve on Sunday.

South came into the game on the back of a professional away win against Coburg and were looking for a consecutive win away from home to push closer towards a top six position. Suburbs on the other hand were continuing to gradually push to move out of the relegation zone on the table, with the club playing a more disciplined and hard-working brand of football under new coach Ken Murphy.

With this in mind, both teams came out quite tentatively initially, as it was evident that both sides were wary of conceding an early goal.

In the 18th minute, some lovely interplay between Scott MacNicol and Stuart Kelly culminated in MacNicol playing the ball into the path of striker Nathan Caldwell. After a less than ideal first touch, Caldwell was able to turn his shot into the prying arms of goalkeeper Stepjan Gal, who grasped the ball without any problems. South continued to push forward, with both ex-South player Arthur Tsonis and Terry Antoniadis thwarting these forays forward on just about every occasion.

South had another opportunity to score in the 34th minute, when a loose ball was deflected to the waiting MacNicol just outside the area. However MacNicol stuttered momentarily before hitting his timid shot into the arms of Gal, who once again was forced to make a simple save.

Western Suburbs had their first real chance of the match in the 42nd minute, when an inviting cross from the right appeared to have found Serkan Ozkuz open at the back post. With only new South Melbourne goalkeeper Tommi Tomich to beat, Ozkuz mistimed his jump at the ball and only managed to cushion his header directly at the keeper.

With the first half coming to a close, South had one last chance when a steaming run by Hamlet Armenian down the right hand flank saw the former Whittlesea player beat defender John Cvetanovski and hit a low cross into the area. With Gal stuck on the spot, the ball found Gianni De Nittis open in the area. Unfortunately for De Nittis, the ball bounced awkwardly off the bumpy pitch, catching the well-positioned forward on the shin before trickling through to the thankful Gal.

South continued to pile on the pressure in the second half without much reward. Long-range attempts by both De Nittis and Fernando failed to go close to finding the back of the net and more opportunities were wasted. South came closest to scoring in the 65th minute, when a well-weighted Fernando free kick found the head of the advancing Steven O’Dor. With the entire goal face to aim for, the big centre back’s header floated just over the bar and out for a goal kick.

With South seemingly unable to score, Western Suburbs could sense a counter-attacking goal to win the game and they came close in the 72nd minute. A sublime ball over the top of the South defence by Tomi Razov found ex-South striker Vas Kalogeracos in space. With only Tomich to beat, Kalogeracos sliced his shot well wide of the target.

South’s final chance of the game came in the 87th minute after a MacNicol cross from the right hand side was poorly punched away by goalkeeper Gal. With the keeper out of position, the ball fell into the path of De Nittis, who hit a volley well over the bar. That would be the final chance for both sides, ensuring that each club would walk away from the game with a point, South’s first draw for the 2008 season.

Next week, Western Suburbs must travel to Altona on Saturday night and try to continue the fighting form shown against South. Meanwhile, South hosts the Oakleigh Cannons in a big derby fixture on the Sunday. Kick-off is at 4pm at Bob Jane Stadium.

Friday, 6 June 2008 10:05 PM

After a solid away win against Coburg last weekend, South Melbourne will be looking to make it two wins in a row against Western Suburbs on Sunday.

The mood around the camp following last weeks triumph is quite positive, with some key additions to the squad adding to the excitement around Bob Jane Stadium.

One of these key additions to the squad is goalkeeper Tommi Tomich, who has been signed from Western Australia. The former Perth Glory and Melbourne Knights keeper is expected to slot straight into the starting line-up for Sunday’s clash, with an arm injury to captain Dean Anastasiaidis forcing the veteran to sit out yet another week.

Tomich will be waiting behind a quite steady back four, with Sam Poutakidis and Adam Van Dommele expected to be once again given the left and right full back positions.
These two experienced players will be joined by the central defensive duo of Steven O’dor and Shane Nunes.

In the middle area, South’s new signings Scott MacNicol and Stuart Kelly are likely to be given starting roles, with both players having exceptional first games with the club last weekend. Joining the two in that middle region will either be Brazilian maestro Fernando De Moraes, Antonio La Verde or Goran Zoric. Also pushing for inclusion will be vice-captain Rama Tavsancioglu, who will be trying to prove his fitness after a few weeks on the sidelines with a leg injury.

Up front, South have four capable options that are all in decent form. This includes Ricky Diaco, Gianni De Nittis, Hamlet Armenian and Nathan Caldwell all pushing for that starting eleven birth, with the latter scoring an outstanding double last week against Coburg.

South Melbourne will be faced with a Western Suburbs outfit that will be intent to avenge the 5-0 defeat to South Melbourne in Round 3.

One of these players will be former South Melbourne defender Arthur Tsonis, who has had a good first season with Suburbs. Tsonis will be joined in defence by two other experienced and seasoned campaigners, including 2007 VPL Gold Medal winner Terry Antoniadis and another ex South player in Nick Tolios. Tolios signed with the club this week, after making the move from Kingston City.

Apart from having an experienced and very capable defence, Western Suburbs will also boast an attack that will cause headaches for the South Melbourne defence.

This attack is lead by the young striker Dimitri Hatzimouratis, who has impressed many people with his pace and creativity in the attacking third. Hatzimouratis will be joined by very dangerous veteran Vas Kalogeracos and Serkan Ozkuz.

If South can stop these three attacking options, the club will go a long way towards winning the match.

South fans are encouraged to make the trip to Ralph Reserve on Sunday to support the side as the club pushes towards a top six position. Kick off is at 3pm.

South Melbourne FC vs Western Suburbs

When: Sunday, June 8th
Where: Ralph Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm (Under 21s at 1pm)

Projected Starting line-ups

South Melbourne
Tommi Tomich (GK), Sam Poutakidis, Rama Tavsancioglu, Adam Van Dommele, Steven O’Dor, Shane Nunes, Goran Zoric, Fernando De Moraes, Gianni De Nittis, Scott MacNicol, Nathan Caldwell

Western Suburbs
Stejpan Gal, Nick Tolios, Eddie Cetkin, Arthur Tsonis, Terry Antoniadis, Lorenz Kindter, Johnny Cvetanovski, Vas Kalogeracos, Igor Khrapko, Serkan Ozkuz, Dimitri Hatzimouratis

Head to head

Played : 3
South Melbourne : 2
Western Suburbs : 1
Draw : 0

Last Meeting

When: Sunday, 2 March 2008
Where: Bob Jane Stadium
Score: South Melbourne 5 defeated Western Suburbs 0

Form in 2008 (last 3 games)

South Melbourne: Win, Loss, Win
Western Suburbs: Loss, Draw, Loss

Thursday, 5 June 2008 5:09 PM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of former Perth Glory goalkeeper Tommi Tomich for the remainder of the 2008 Foxtel Cup season.

Tomich is an exceptional goalkeeper, having showcased his talent in the A-League with Perth Glory and playing a prominent role throughout the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons with the Western Australian club.

Previously, Tomich spent time in the Melbourne Knights squad in the 2003/2004 season, playing for the club on ten occasions and gaining some valuable experience by playing in the old National Soccer League.

In recent times, he has returned to the Western Australian Premier League, playing with ECU Joondalup. In his stint with the club, Tomich has been the standout goalkeeper in the league, impressing all around him with his exceptional shot-stopping ability and confidence in the air. This was rewarded when he was named in the 2008 WA State Squad
alongside former South Melbourne championship winner, Andreas Oliveira.

South Melbourne would like to welcome Tommi to the club and wishes him all the best for the rest of the season.

Thursday, 5 June 2008 9:40 AM

South Melbourne FC would like to announce to all members and fans that the much-anticipated Round 18 clash against the AIS will be played on Sunday June 22 in Canberra.

South has not played interstate since the infamous NSL semi final against Adelaide United in 2004 and all fans are encouraged to make the journey to Canberra to support the club as it continues to press for a top six position on the ladder.

In order to make the process smoother for supporters wanting to travel, the South Supporters Group will be organising a bus for the game. The bus will be leaving Bob Jane Stadium in the early hours of June 22nd and will return early the following morning.

For more information about the supporter bus, please contact the South Supporters Group at info@smfcsupporters.com.au, or visit the www.smfcsupporters.com.au website.

Please note that the bus is an event run by the Supporters Group and is not an official event by South Melbourne FC.

Thursday, 5 June 2008 9:04 AM

REGISTER TO TRAIN WITH THE WORLD’S BEST AT THE MELBOURNE MILAN JUNIOR CAMP!

Football Development Australia is calling all football loving boys and girls aged 6-15 to register for a football experience of a lifetime these July school holidays.

Be part of the first ever Melbourne Milan Junior Camp, being held at Bob Jane Stadium, Albert Park, from Monday 7th – Friday 11th July, 9am – 12pm and train with the world’s best!

Football Development Australia is the official partner of AC Milan in Australia and the AC Milan Academy Coaching team will be in Melbourne this July to help you develop your football skills, improve your technique, teamwork and tactical awareness!

Not only will you get the chance to participate in a football experience of a lifetime and meet real football legends, each attendee will get to take home an original double AC Milan Adidas kit and Milan Junior Camp certificate at the completion of the camp.

To SIGN UP TODAY go to www.footballdevelopment.com.au/mjc for the football experience of a lifetime!

Fur further information:
Jill Stewart
0414 215 285
jillstewart@unwired.com.au

About Football Development Australia (FDA):
FDA, the official partner of AC Milan for Australia and NZ focuses on bringing the best practice in grassroots football development to Australia. We strongly believe – and the statistics from major European clubs confirm – that it is important for young players to develop fully as people and as footballers in their natural environment before considering a career overseas. Our relationship with AC Milan helps us to source football development and coaching expertise of the highest quality in relation to technical, tactical, physical, psychological and medical aspects of the game from an environment that is constantly improving its performance through research and analysis.

www.footballdevelopment.com.au

Monday, 2 June 2008 9:09 AM

Mens
Seniors – South Melbourne FC 3 – Coburg United 2
Under 21 – South Melbourne FC 0 – Coburg United 2

Womens
State League 3 – South Melbourne FC 0 – Albert Park 2

Juniors
Under 18 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 3 – Brunswick City 1
Under 16 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 2 – Endeavour Utd 2
Under 15A East – South Melbourne FC 2 – Boronia 0
Under 14 Superleague – South Melbourne FC 2 – Oakleigh 0
Under 13 Superleague – DNP
Under 12A East – South Melbourne FC 2 – Monash City 0
Under 11 East – South Melbourne FC 4 – Oakleigh 1

Monday, 2 June 2008 8:36 AM

By Michal Skrodzki

South Melbourne’s recent signings have starred in a entertaining 3-2 victory over Coburg United at Knights Stadium on Saturday night.

Scott MacNicol and Stuart Kelly (both picked up from Oakleigh during the week) shone in an impressive display for the Blues. This was Scott MacNicol’s first game back after returning from Oakleigh and post game he said that he “was glad to be back” .

MacNicol also believed that South could match it with the big teams of this years VPL and said that “we’ve (South) always had a good team. It just wasn’t working for them”. The win continues South’s good run of late with 4 wins in the last 5 weeks. Coburg on the other hand continue to struggle and must be disappointed after taking the lead early in the match.

The game started at a good pace with both teams testing each other out. South should have taken the lead early on when some nice play down the left flank lead to Fernando De Moraes with a clear shot on goal from only 10 metres out. Fortunately for Coburg the Futsalroo blasted his shot way over the bar.

Coburg managed to get on the scoresheet first when Ross Thompson made the best of a South defensive lapse and his shot was too good for Jelic in the South Melbourne goal, beating him at the far post.

South responded though and were rewarded for their early pressure when De Nittis managed to equalise. A great through ball was played by Stuart Kelly which found De Nittis, the South stalwart’s shot from close range managed to nutmeg Tomas Kovar.

The goal lifted South and only minutes later took the lead through a superb strike by Nathan Caldwell.

South Melbourne continued to dominate for the remainder of the half and went into half time buoyed by their fight back.

In the second half, South came out with all guns blazing and the next 20 minutes were probably their best of this season so far.

Goran Zoric was having a fantastic game on the wing, terrorising the Coburg defense with his constant runs in the box.

South scored their third of the night when Zoric made another great run into the box, before his shot from a tight angle was parried right into the path of Nathan Caldwell, who scored his second of the night.

At 3-1 up South seemed to drop a gear and Coburg slowly got back into the game. South threw on Hamlet Armenian and the former Whittlesea striker did well creating several chances for himself but he just couldn’t finish his good work.

Coburg managed to score a late consolidation goal when Thompson unleashed a rocket from the top of the box that left Jelic with little chance. The goal lead to a few nervous moments for the South faithful in the final minutes, but soon enough the final whistle blew and South had the three points.

At the end of the match, the travelling South fans honoured Tansel Baser for the years of great service he gave to the club by chanting his name. Baser responded by clapping the South fans in a great post match moment.

The win continues South’s push for a finals birth, as now they are only 3 points outside the top 6 and are sitting in 8th position on the ladder.

Next week South travel to Ralph Reserve to face strugglers Western Suburbs.

Saturday, 31 May 2008 11:46 AM

South Melbourne FC is thrilled to announce that it has signed former championship winning midfielder Scott MacNicol from the Oakleigh Cannons for the remainder of the 2008 Foxtel Cup season.

MacNicol arrives back at lakeside having already played 58 times for the club, and scoring on eight occasions throughout that two year period.

He was instrumental in South’s 2006 championship winning squad in a midfield line-up that was regarded as the strongest in the league at the time, as well as being a leader on the park with his hard working and physical nature.

South welcomes back “Scotty” and looks forward to him providing the club with another quality option in the middle of the park.

He will be joined by midfielder Stuart Kelly, who has also signed from Oakleigh. Kelly has had a solid start to the 2008 season with the Cannons and will add another option to a very impressive middle third.

Saturday, 31 May 2008 9:58 AM

By George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne must re-group after last week’s derby loss as it faces Coburg United on Saturday at Knights Stadium.

Coburg are expected to provide South with a tough opposition, having already defeated the Blues in round 2.

South will go into the game with the match and result from round 2 fresh in their minds and will be intent on ensuring that they can extract some revenge for that particular game.

Coach Michael Michalakopoulos will have some selection headaches ahead of the contest, with some key players attempting to come back from injury.

Dean Anastasiadis is one of these players and will be trying to prove his fitness to reclaim his position into the starting line-up ahead of Nik Jelic. Thankfully for South, Jelic has been able to step up for the club throughout Anastasiadis’ absence, playing well on two occasions so far for the Blues.

Just in front of the goalkeeper, South will go into the game with a standard back four of Sam Poutakidis, Shane Nunes, Adam Van Dommele and Steven O’dor. All four defenders have been quite consistent in the last month and will be looked upon to shut down the potent Coburg attacking third.

In the middle area, South may go into the game with Rama Tavsancioglu in that defensive midfield position. This is reliant on the vice-captain overcoming a leg injury that left him sidelined last weekend. Should “Rama” recover in time for Saturday’s game, he will be joined in the midfield by Goran Zoric and Fernando De Moraes, as well as one of either Antonio La Verde and new signing Scott MacNicol.

MacNicol returns to South after one and a half seasons at Oakleigh, with the former championship winning midfielder already playing on 58 occasions for the famous blue and whites in two seasons previously with the club. By acquiring such a player, South will be provided with hard working, determined and experienced player that will further bolster the squad.

In attack, South will go into contest with Ricky Diaco and Gianni De Nittis. Both players will be keen to get on the score sheet as South strives for a vital away victory.

As with the game in round 2, Coburg will provide South with a very tough and difficult opponent, with the Foxtel Cup newcomer keen to take another 3 points from the Blues.

Leading the charge for Coburg will be former South club legend and championship winning player Tansel Baser. Baser has reclaimed a starting position in recent weeks after recovering from serious groin surgery. He will provide Coburg with not only an experienced and calm player in the centre of the park, but a player who will have a strong knoweledge of South, having played 106 games in 7 years for the club. South will need to stop his influence in the middle of the park if they are to take maximum points.

Joining Baser in the talented midfield area will be another former South player in Anthony Magnacca. As with Baser, Magnacca will be keen to perform well against his old club, with the former Gold Medal winner expected to impose himself on the contest and push forward whenever possible to assist his strike force.

Taking all this into consideration, Saturday’s game for will be crucial if South are to push up and contest for a top six position. A win will see the Blues within one game of the top six, while a win for Coburg will see them jump clear of the relegation zone. Kickoff is at 6pm.

South Melbourne FC vs Coburg United

When: Saturday, May 31st
Where: Knights Stadium
Kick-off: 6pm (Under 21s at 4pm)

Projected Starting line-ups

South Melbourne
Dean Anastasiadis (GK/C), Sam Poutakidis, Rama Tavsancioglu, Adam Van Dommele, Steven O’Dor, Shane Nunes, Goran Zoric, Tony La Verde, Gianni De Nittis, Scott MacNicol, Ricky Diaco

Coburg United
Tomas Kovar (GK), Serder Pir, Sime Kovacevic, Brendan Beni, Dragi Nastevski, Mustafa Mustafa (C), Anthony Magnacca, Tansel Baser, Andrew Vlahos, Alexander Josifovski, Nicholas Lazarevski

Head to head

Played : 1
South Melbourne : 0
Coburg United : 1
Draw : 0

Last Meeting

When: Sunday, 22 February 2008
Where: Bob Jane Stadium
Score: Coburg United 2 defeated South Melbourne 1

Form in 2008 (last 3 games)

South Melbourne: Win, Win, Loss
Coburg United: Win, Loss, Draw