Category: News

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC wishes to advise that Shaun Kelly has been released to continue his career at fellow National Premier League club Port Melbourne Sharks in 2015.

Shaun arrived at Lakeside Stadium from State League side Shepparton United during the 2012 mid-season transfer window. The centre-back made 31 appearances for South Melbourne FC across all competitions and scored five goals during his time at the Club. He scored four goals from only seven appearances during the second half of the 2012 season and – in a sign of South’s struggles that season – won the Club’s Golden Boot award as a result.

Season 2013 was a difficult one for South Melbourne as the Club underwent a massive overhaul of the squad before and during the course of the year, which also included a change of Head Coach. Shaun Kelly was one of the few players that played throughout the entirety of that season, making 24 appearances across all competitions and scoring one goal. Disaster struck at the end of 2013 when he sustained a nasty foot injury that sidelined him for the entire 2014 campaign.

A model professional, Shaun took this setback in his stride and worked tirelessly with the staff at Principal Partner Keiser Training to get over his injury whilst still supporting South Melbourne FC on the terraces. He was very much a part of the squad that won the NPL Victoria Championship this season despite not playing on the park in 2014.

Shaun had this to say upon his decision to leave the Club: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody at South Melbourne FC for a brilliant few years. I have made the decision to move clubs for the upcoming season. I believe at this stage of my career – and especially after missing this year through injury – that I need to move to guarantee regular game time. I would like to thank the committee for all of their help and support, especially during my injury. I would also like to thank all of the coaching staff, both past and present, and all of the behind-the-scenes staff who work extremely hard to ensure that the Club succeeds. To all my team mates, also past and present, it has been a pleasure to play with all of you and share in the Club’s success. Finally, I would like to thank the fans. Your support and passion is unrivalled by any other club in the League and without you the Club wouldn’t be what it is today. Thank you all for your support and for all the memories that I will have. It’s been a privilege to represent such a big club and I look forward to playing at Lakeside Stadium next season.”

South Melbourne FC would like to thank Shaun on his contribution both on and off the park at the Club, and wishes him nothing but the very best for the future.

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce the 2014 FFV Gold Medal winner Milos Lujic has extended his existing contract and committed to the Club for a further two seasons.

Lujic joined South Melbourne from Northcote City, where his 24 Victorian Premier League goals (including three in the Finals Series), were instrumental in Northcote winning the Minor Premiership and then the Grand Final 3-2 against the Bentleigh Greens.

The centre-forward’s move to Lakeside Stadium for the 2014 NPL Victoria season was even more successful. Lujic finished the season with 24 goals from 32 matches across all competitions, with his 22 League goals equalling the record set by both Jimmy Armstrong (1974) and Doug Brown (1984) for most individual goals scored in a League season at the Club. More importantly, his goals helped South Melbourne FC secure its ninth Victorian Championship and its first since 2006. Last Friday evening at the FFV Gold Medal Night, Lujic took a clean sweep of the top awards including the Player’s Player of the Year, the Golden Boot winner and the FFV Gold Medal for the Best and Fairest Player in 2014.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis said “everyone at South is excited to have Milos around for another two years. He played a leading role in helping the Club to win the inaugural NPL Victoria competition and we look forward to Milos having another big season in 2015.”

SMFC TV VIDEO :: LUJIC SCORES A DOUBLE AGAINST NORTHCOTE

By George Kouroumalis

A record breaking 2014 season has concluded with South Melbourne once again dominating Victorian Football by taking out all of the major honours at the FFV Gold Medal Night at the Grand Hyatt last Friday evening.

After winning the inaugural PS4 NPL Victoria Championship by 7 points from second placed Oakleigh Cannons, South Melbourne players were widely tipped to poll well in the annual FFV Gold Medal Award.

The night started with coach Chris Taylor being awarded the 2014 PS4 NPL Victoria Coach of the Year. This was Taylor’s third Coach of the Year award, having won the award previously on two occasions in 2008 (Melbourne Knights) and 2012 (Dandenong Thunder).

As expected Milos Lujic accepted his award as the 2014 PS4 NPL Victoria Golden Boot winner after scoring a phenomenal 22 goals in 26 league games. He also managed to equal the club record previously set by Jim Armstrong (22 league goals in 1974) and Doug Brown (22 league goals in 1984) in any one league season.

In a remarkable night for the star striker, Lujic was then awarded with the 2014 PS4 NPL Victoria Players’ Player Award. This award was voted by his fellow peers in the NPL Victoria competition and clearly shows the impression that Lujic had left on his opponents throughout a dominant 2014 season.

Finally to top off an amazing night for Lujic, he was awarded the 2014 PS4 NPL Victoria Gold Medal award as the Best and Fairest Player in the competition. Lujic finished the count on 24 votes, one behind Heidelberg United’s Daniel Heffernen who was ineligible to win the award due to being suspended during the year.

Former South winger Goran Zoric finished just behind Lujic on 22 votes, while midfield workhorse Iqi Jawadi was South’s next best performer finishing the count on 17 votes.

A humble and appreciative Lujic took to twitter to thank the South fans following the historic night stating “Wow still cant believe the awards I won last night! Personally its been the best year I’ve had in my career. Thank you”

Wow still cant believe the awards I won last night! Personally its been the best year ive had in my career. Thank you @nplvictoria @smfc

— Milos Lujic (@MilosLujic) October 4, 2014

Lujic is the second South Melbourne player to win the prestigious FFV Gold Medal, with Fernando De Moraes capturing the award in a stunning 2010 season for the club.

The Club would like to congratulate both Milos Lujic and Chris Taylor on what was a successful 2014 NPL Victoria championship season.

Furthermore, South Melbourne FC would also like to congratulate SMWFC player Tiffany Elliadis who became the first ever player in WPL history to claim back-to-back Golden Boot and Gold Medal Awards.

By Skip Fulton

In Australia, the last Saturday in September is universally marked on calendars as AFL Grand Final day. However, for a group of committed, young and aspiring players of the World Game, Albert Park was where their focus was. They came in numbers, with passion and desire, to participate in the first week of trials for the 2015 South Melbourne FC NPL Youth teams.

Across multiple pitches, there was practice for the sub-Juniors and try-outs for the Under 12 through to Under 18 age groups. This week, the focus was entirely on new players looking to join South Melbourne. Week two would see existing players join the squad to secure their own place in the line-up, followed by a final third week to finalise the squads.

Over a hundred players were invited and walked on to the pitch on Saturday. There were five separate groups participating in exercises ranging from passing drills, small sided games and full matches. The calibre of players on display was impressive with some capable of matching it with the best South Melbourne has to offer.

They were supported by a significant number of the South Melbourne coaching and support staff including:
– Matthew Borowicz – Youth Program Coordinator, Under 14s and Under 12s coach
– Davide Bertamini: Under 16s coach
– Sasa Kolman: Under 20s, Under 15s and Miniroos coach
– Manny Georgiou: Goal Keeping and Miniroos coach
– Kris Peladrinos: Under 20s team manager
– Jamie Reed: Member of South Melbourne FC 2014 NPL Victoria Championship team and Miniroos coach
– James Wain: Miniroos coach
– Samuel Young: Under 13s and Miniroos coach

SMFC.com.au spoke with Samuel Young during the day to under the progress being made with the sub-Juniors or Miniroos program. Young said “we don’t trial for sub-juniors. We have the spring training on now and then we accept the players. Up until December we train three times a week and they come down to Albert Park. Then we have a month off and in the first week back we allocate the boys into teams for the Miniroos competitions,” he said.

“Next season we are looking for three teams in each of the Under 9, 10 and 11 age groups and one team for the Under 7s, however, they don’t play competitive games. The demand and interest in playing for South Melbourne is such that we can have three teams in each age group. Everyone has recognised the success of the program this year. We are Champions and we are promoting this program as a pathway to the Seniors. That’s what the goal is and that’s what my job is. This program is the first step for those aiming for the first team in eight years or so.” Young explained.

Whilst Samuel Young was focusing on the sub-Juniors program, Youth Program Coordinator Matthew Borowicz was armed with a clipboard and spent his day walking between the two pitches and conversing with his colleagues. At the end of the day, smfc.com.au shared a few minutes of his time to reflect on what he had seen. Matthew went on to say “overall the trials are progressing very well. We are happy with the turnout and the quality is mixed. There are some good players we already have our eyes on. The competition will be much harder next week as our existing boys are coming into it.”

We asked Borowicz specifically if there were players he could see coming into the South Melbourne line-up. “Definitely, definitely. To be honest we had a very good season overall across the age groups and we are only looking for a few players in each age groups to fill the gaps and challenge our existing players. We are not looking for a revolution to change the whole squads because we are happy with most of the players.”

Lastly, Borowicz shared the next steps in the trial process including how much the existing players are part of the trial to make the squad. “Of course, they have to earn it. They will be more surprised that they think. In our trials we always look for games and game play as that is what they are going to do on the weekend and that’s what counts.”

The trials for the Under 12 to Under 18 age groups continues with three training sessions during the week before returning to Albert Park next Saturday. The invite-only trials for the Under 20s commence on 8th October.

South Melbourne FC is very pleased to announce that Victorian Labor has reaffirmed its support for the Club and its future at Lakeside Stadium for the next 40 years.

Whilst attending last Sunday’s PlayStation 4 NPL finals series match between South Melbourne FC and Metro Stars at Lakeside Stadium, Martin Foley MP, State Labor Member for Albert Park said “Victorian Labor initiated the 40 year Lease and Licence deal for SMFC. We welcome its long delayed arrival. The Club as current VPL Champions and as the FIFA Oceania Club of the Century needs this certainty to compete at the highest levels. It is a club with a strong tradition that is seeking to make its mark nationally. Now it needs the support to take it to the next level of facilities and competition”.

In thanking Mr Foley, SMFC President Leo Athanasakis told SMFC Media that “Martin has been a terrific supporter of the Club over the years. He assisted the Club during the previous Labor Government and he has provided continued support in more recent times to the Club securing its 40 year deal at Lakeside Stadium”.

Acknowledging Victorian Labor’s role in the Club establishing its home at Lakeside Stadium for the long term, SMFC Chairman, Nick Galatas, said “SMFC would like to thank and acknowledge Victorian Labor for entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Club when Labor was in Government which provided for the 40 year Lease and Licence deal and the Club thanks Mr Foley for his and Labor’s continued support”.

With the recommencement of the construction of the Social Club now imminent and following its on field success this year, the Club looks forward to a very exciting NPL season 2015.

For all media enquiries, please contact SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis on (03) 9645 9797.

By Skip Fulton

The Heritage Youth Cup kicked off this weekend at De Chene Reserve. South Melbourne FC had a very successful 2013 cup campaign and made a great start again in 2014. The Miniroos teams won four of their five matches on Day One of competition and scored the largest winning margin of any match played.

The competition is in its second year and is hosted by NPL1 team Moreland Zebras at its home ground in Coburg. The tournament caters for both boys and girls aged seven to eighteen years. Entry is by invitation only and includes teams from the NPL, NPL1 and State Leagues. Moreland Zebras have worked very hard to develop the event into the premier end of season tournament in Melbourne.

Last year there were ninety two teams, and this year it has increased to one hundred and forty seven. South Melbourne entered five teams into the 2014 tournament, all from the Miniroos structure.

Under 8
South Melbourne took on the Eltham B team in Group 3 and recorded a 4-1 win and sit on top of the group table.

Under 9
South Melbourne has two teams in the Under 9 competition. The South Melbourne ‘A’ team lost to Beaumaris 0-3 and sit in third position on the Group 4 table. Beaumaris was always going to be a tough opponent and are one of the most highly regarded teams in the Heritage Cup. Last year they featured in four of the nine age group Grand Finals, winning three of them. The South Melbourne ‘B’ team was in great form and took down the hosts Moreland Zebras with a win 8-0. They sit on top of Group 1.

Under 10
Last year’s Under 9 title holders were back and there were high expectations.

The conditions were very windy and in the first half, the team used this to their advantage. South Melbourne dominated possession, with the South goal keeper not required, and up front the boys slotted through seven goals to take a commanding lead over Whittlesea United. At the half time break, coach Sasa Kolman wanted the boys to focus on structure and passing, with less emphasis on scoring. The boys took this advice on to the pitch and followed the coach’s instructions.

Whilst the team secured a further four goals, one in particular stood out and demonstrated the coaches direction perfectly. From the left wing the boys were faced with every opposition player in the area defending. The team took the ball back up the wing to the backline and switched play to draw out the Whittlesea boys. Just two passes later the ball was on the right flank, and a superb cross cut in front of the goal keeper for a classy tap in near the back post. The team ran out victorious with an 11-0 win and scoring the highest number of goals on the first day of competition.

Joining smfc.com.au on the sidelines was a very supportive group of parents and South fans, including club President Leo Athanasakis. The President reflected on a great result for the team saying “I think the boys were disciplined today, there wasn’t much opposition but the boys did their job, listened to the coaches instructions and we got a little bit out of it” he said. We also asked about the history and success this team have experienced. “These boys are the reigning champions from last year so they have a lot on the line. They want to retain their premiership. There’s a lot riding on this.”

After the match, Captain Michael Sdregas shared his thoughts on the performance, telling smfc.com.au “I thought it was a really good game. I thought we were pressuring and played really well and scored lots of goals. The whole team was good” he said.

Photos: http://on.fb.me/1sIp93m

Under 11
In 2013 South Melbourne U11s were the runners up to Beaumaris in this age group.
The team started their 2014 campaign with a win defeating Lalor United 1-9.

Next Matches – Saturday 4th October
At 9am the Under 10s take on Spring Hills, who lost 1-2 to the Moreland Zebras
At 11am the Under 9 B team take on the Eltham Redbacks Red team, who lost 0-1 to Bundoora United

Next Matches – Sunday 5th October
At 9am the Under 8s take on Northcote City who lost 0-3 to Point Cook
At 11am the Under 9A team take on Northcote City B, who lost 0-5 to Point Cook

By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

South Melbourne FC’s 2014 season came to an abrupt end when it was defeated 1-2 by North Eastern MetroStars at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The win for the South Australians sent them through to the 2014 PlayStation 4 National Premier League Grand Final against Bonnyrigg White Eagles (of Football NSW) next weekend at South’s expense.

South went into the game against MetroStars confident due to the fact that Chris Taylor’s side had only lost one of their fourteen home matches at Lakeside Stadium across all competitions in 2014. The home side were also confident having won through to the PlayStation 4 Semi Finals after defeating Tasmanian Champions South Hobart in Hobart last weekend. Standing in their way however was a MetroStars team that had won the South Australian Minor Premiership by eight points over West Adelaide Hellas and that had travelled to Western Australia to defeat Bayswater City the previous weekend.

MetroStars began the game much stronger than South Melbourne and deservedly took the lead after only eleven minutes. A cross to the back post was headed by James Musa over Chris Maynard and into the back of the net for an unfortunate but avoidable own goal. The South Australians were running amok and in truth the home side was very lucky not to have conceded more goals in an opening twenty minutes that was dominated by MetroStars. Striker Perry Mitris – who had scored 24 goals from 29 NPL South Australia matches in 2014 – was causing all sorts of problems for the South defence and nearly doubled MetroStars’ lead with a fierce shot that thundered into the crossbar.

The home side had been shell-shocked but worked their way back into the match midway through the first half. South levelled the scores on 36 minutes when Jamie Reed’s perfect cross found Milos Lujic to head home his 24th goal from 32 matches across all competitions in 2014. The home crowd suddenly roared to life and South began to look like the side that had dominated the Victorian NPL all season. Barely a couple of minutes had passed since Lujic’s header when the centre-forward went down in the area and a penalty was awarded for what in truth looked like a soft foul. Justice was perhaps served when Reed blasted his spot kick over the crossbar as the sides went into the break level at 1-1.

South began the second half well and should have taken the lead when Musa hit the crossbar with a shot from inside the six-yard box following a Brad Norton cross into the area. That miss proved to be very costly as Scott Tunbridge – a former player for South Melbourne in the 2003/04 National Soccer League season – sprung the offside trap before beating Maynard at his near post with a fierce shot for the winning goal on 56 minutes. Mathew Theodore had a chance to level again for South with around ten minutes remaining following some good build-up play from Reed but he could only blast hit shot over the bar. The full-time whistle ended South Melbourne’s season that had many positives but had unfortunately ended in disappointment.

Post-match, a reflective Taylor conceded that “we went into the game probably expecting a result today…we were very complacent. At this level you have to be switched on the whole game, otherwise you will get found out. They (MetroStars) deserved to win it in the end.” Analysing the season as a whole, Taylor added that “at the beginning of the season we set the target of winning the Victorian Championship and we achieved that which was fantastic. It was disappointing (failing to qualify for the FFA Cup and failing to win the PlayStation 4 NPL Finals Series) but I feel that we have a good squad here and with hopefully 2-3 additions in the off-season, we can be trying to improve in those competitions in 2015.”

Despite Sunday’s disappointing loss, South Melbourne FC can look back on 2014 as a record-breaking season, with the following Club records broken or equalled:

Most consecutive away wins to start a League season – 7 (13 March 2014 to 25 May 2014)

Longest winning start to a League season – 11 (13 March 2014 to 1 June 2014)

Most individual goals in a League season (minus finals) – 22 (Milos Lujic, tied with J. Armstrong and D. Brown)

Highest points tally in the VPL/NPL* – 66 points from 26 matches (2014)
* The highest ever Club tally was 69 points from 28 League matches in the 2000/01 NSL season. 

South also enjoyed its best ever League season in the top flight of Victorian and Australian football, winning 22 of its 28 NPL matches for a winning percentage of 79%. South had a 94% winning rate in the 1960 season, however the Club was in Victoria’s first division back then as it won seventeen of its 18 matches to gain promotion to the Victorian State League.

 

Year	P	W	D	L	W%
1960	18	17	1	0	94%
2014	28	22	3	3	79%
1976	22	17	3	2	77%
1972	22	16	3	3	73%
1984	32	22	4	6	69%

 

Overall South Melbourne FC enjoyed a fantastic 2014 season and the Club is already looking forward to the 2015 season.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-2 NORTH EASTERN METROSTARS (HT: 1-1)

Goal Scorers:

0-1: James Musa OG (11′)
1-1: Milos Lujic (36′)
1-2: Scott Tunbridge (56′)

South Melbourne FC:
21. Chris MAYNARD (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 7. Nick EPIFANO (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 61′), 8. Mathew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 10. Tyson HOLMES (25. Shaun TIMMINS 61′), 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 14. James MUSA, 17. Jamie REED.

North Eastern MetroStars:
1. Daniel GODLEY (GK), 2. David MENECHELLA, 5. Lee ROBERTSON, 6. Anthony SOLAGNA, 7. Michael D’ALOISIO (15. Lawrence D’ARRIGO 75’), 9. Steven GELLI, 11. Scott TUNBRIDGE (10. Andrew CIARLA 89’), 18. Fabian BARBIERO, 19. Joseph POLISENA, 21. Adam VAN DOMMELE, 23. Perry MITRIS.

SMFC Man of the Match: Michael Eagar
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 28 September 2014

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC hosts the North Eastern MetroStars Soccer Club in one of the 2014 PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Semi Finals at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. At stake for the winning club is a spot in the Grand Final against either Bonnyrigg White Eagles (of Football NSW) or Palm Beach Sharks (of Football Queensland) on the weekend of 4 and 5 October.

North Eastern MetroStars (commonly known as MetroStars) qualified for the PS4 NPL Finals Series as Football Federation South Australia Minor Premiers. They won nineteen of their 26 League matches to finish eight points ahead of West Adelaide Hellas on top of the NPL South Australia ladder. Unlike in Victoria, South Australia’s NPL had a finals series after their regular season and unfortunately for the MetroStars they fell just short of being crowned overall Champions after losing the Grand Final 1-2 against the Croydon Kings at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday 13 September. They made amends last Saturday 20 September when they travelled to Perth and defeated Football West’s Bayswater City FC 3-4 on penalties (following a 0-0 draw in regular and extra time) to qualify for the NPL Semi Finals.

South Melbourne fans will be familiar with a couple of the MetroStars players, with forward Scott Tunbridge (2003-2004) and left back Adam Van Dommele (2007-2008) having played for the Victorians previously. The danger man to watch out for on Sunday is Tunbridge’s partner up front and MetroStars vice-captain Perry Mitris, who scored 24 goals from 29 League matches (including the finals series) in 2014. He scored 22 goals from 26 regular home & away matches, equalling what South’s centre-forward Milos Lujic achieved during South’s 26 League matches in the NPL Victoria this season.

South Melbourne FC qualified for the Semi Finals after travelling to Hobart and defeating Tasmanian Champions South Hobart FC 0-1 thanks to Jamie Reed’s overhead kick on six minutes. Unfortunately, Chris Taylor’s side were dealt a nasty blow when key midfielder Stephen Hatzikostas landed awkwardly on his right knee to sustain a season-ending injury. He will most likely be replaced in the starting eleven by Tyson Holmes for Sunday’s match. Other than Hatzikostas, Taylor has a full squad to choose from and will be expecting an excellent performance from his side at Lakeside Stadium.

Sunday’s PlayStation4 NPL Semi Final kicks off at 3:00PM at Lakeside Stadium. Those unable to make it can follow the game via live updates on the South Melbourne FC Facebook page and on the Club’s official Twitter @smfc with the hashtags #NPLFinals and #SMvMS.

By John Kyrou (Photo by South Hobart FC)

South Melbourne FC won through to the PlayStation 4 National Premier League Semi Finals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against South Hobart FC at the South Hobart Ground on Saturday afternoon. Jamie Reed’s spectacular goal via an overhead kick proved to be the difference as the Victorian Champions defeated the Tasmanian Champions, setting up a meeting with the NPL South Australia Minor Premiers MetroStars Soccer Club this coming Sunday.

Several hundred South Melbourne fans flew across the Bass Strait from Melbourne to Hobart to support their side on Saturday and their presence was certainly noticed and heard at the South Hobart Ground. Their side began the match strongly and opened the scoring after only six minutes. Michael Eagar’s header hit the crossbar before the ball was eventually set up for Reed to connect with an overhead kick that beat South Hobart goalkeeper Kane Pierce for what was the winning goal. The Tasmanian Champions slowly worked their way back into the game and had shouts for a penalty waved away by the referee Brenton Kopra after centre-forward Brayden Mann went down in the penalty area. Some heavy challenges resulted in some aggressive moments shortly before the halftime break as tempers flared but eventually everything calmed down and the Victorian Champions went into the sheds with their lead intact.

Ken Morton’s South Hobart continued to pressure South Melbourne in the second half and looked very dangerous on the break thanks to their forwards Mann and Andy Brennan, who between them had scored 56 of South Hobart’s 89 League goals in 2014. The Tasmanians should have scored in the second half but lacked composure at the critical moments, with many of their opportunities resulting in the ball flying over Chris Maynard’s crossbar. South Melbourne had Eagar to thank also for a superb dominant performance at centre-half, with the captain leading by example and intercepting many of South Hobart’s attacks. South Melbourne suffered a horrible blow just after the hour mark when midfielder Stephen Hatzikostas landed awkwardly on his right leg after challenging for a header and had to be immediately substituted to the applause of all 800 spectators inside the ground.

The match hit a controversial point about twenty minutes from time when Reed’s ball over the top of the South Hobart defence put Milos Lujic through one-on-one with Pierce. Lujic dribbled the ball past the oncoming Pierce before being body-checked by the South Hobart goalkeeper just outside the area. Instead of issuing a straight red card to Pierce for denying Lujic a clear goal scoring opportunity, referee Kopra instead only issued the goalkeeper with a yellow card to the bewilderment and anger of the South Melbourne players, coaching staff and supporters alike. Reed’s resultant free kick went just wide of the goal as an extremely fortunate Pierce was let off the hook for a second time. Lujic’s point-blank shot deep into the six minutes of injury time took the slightest deflection off a South Hobart defender before hitting the crossbar and going out for a corner kick as South Melbourne were unable to finish the Tasmanians off with a second goal.

In the end, Reed’s goal was enough for the Victorians to progress at the expense of a South Hobart side that had played an excellent match and really taken the game to their visitors. Post-match, South Melbourne Coach Chris Taylor praised South Hobart, saying “they’re a very good team who tried to play… on the break they looked to snatch the game at times but I thought that we also had a lot of chances as well.”

Taylor also thanked the supporters who made the trip to Hobart, adding that “we knew we would get support here, we have the best fans in the country for a reason. We are very glad that we won the game to reward those who travelled here to support us.” Captain Eagar agreed, saying that “we appreciate that many of our supporters have spent a lot of money to travel here either for the day or for the weekend, I just want to thank them all for the great support and for helping to get us over the line against a very good South Hobart side today.”

South Melbourne FC’s PlayStation 4 NPL Semi Final will be played against the MetroStars Soccer Club of Football Federation South Australia, after they defeated NPL Western Australia’s Bayswater City FC 5-4 on penalties in Perth on Saturday afternoon following a 0-0 draw after normal and extra time. The Semi Final will be played on Sunday 28 September at Lakeside Stadium, with the match kicking off at 3PM.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH HOBART 0-1 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 0-1)

Goal Scorer:
0-1: Jamie Reed (6’)

South Hobart FC:
1. Kane PIERCE (GK), 2. Liam SCOTT, 3. Caleb LUDLOW, 5. Hugh LUDFORD (C), 6. Scott LAMONT, 7. Nicholas MORTON, 9. Brayden MANN, 10. Andy BRENNAN, 13. Hugh UNDY (15. Darcy HALL 89’), 14. Matthew LEWIS (11. Benjamin HAMLETT 65’), 16. Connor KASS.

South Melbourne FC:
21. Chris MAYNARD (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 7. Nick EPIFANO (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 83’), 8. Mathew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 14. James MUSA, 17. Jamie REED, 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS (10. Tyson HOLMES 63’).

SMFC Man of the Match: Michael Eagar
Venue: South Hobart Ground
Date: Saturday 20 September 2014