Category: News

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce leading computing, communications and consumer electronics giant BenQ has joined as its newest Principal Partner for the 2014 NPL Victoria season.

BenQ is a world-leading human technology and solutions provider driven by the corporate vision of ‘Brining Enjoyment ‘N’ Quality to Life’ to elevate and enrich the aspects of life that matter most to people today – lifestyle, business, healthcare and education. BenQ’s expertise comes not only from their own research and development, but also from people-driven approach to design and technology. As part of its suite of products, BenQ predominantly focuses on digital projectors, professional monitors, interactive large-format displays, imaging solutions, mobile computing devices, and LED lighting solutions.

BenQ’s head office is located in Taipei, and the company operates five branch offices in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, China, Latin America and North America, and employs over 1,300 individuals. Furthermore, the BenQ brand is present in more than 100 countries worldwide. Consisting of over 15 companies in seven different business segments, the BenQ Group had a combined revenue of over $US20 billion in 2012.

Martin Moelle, BenQ’s Australian Managing Director of Sponsorship told smfc.com.au “a great and much loved sport, a premium club and a great brand alliance for BenQ in a World Cup Year when the game captures the hearts and imaginations of fans and enthusiasts across the globe. BenQ is proud to be partnering South Melbourne FC for the 2014 season. There is great synergy in our respective missions and the sharing of enthusiasm and passion will serve to build morale and motivate our teams toward success. BenQ is proud to announce its association with South Melbourne FC and we wish the club and its members a successful year”.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis said “it is quite a coup for South Melbourne to be entering into a partnership with a leading international electronics company such as BenQ. I remember many years ago when BenQ was the major sponsor of Real Madrid in Spain, so it is great to have them on board for the 2014 NPL Victoria season. BenQ is our second multinational partner at South Melbourne FC, and highlights the breadth and growth of our corporate base over the last two years”.

For all media enquiries, please contact Peter Kokotis on (03) 9645 9797 or media@smfc.com.au

What matters to us — BenQ brand introduction

South Melbourne FC would like to announce the following people have won the World Cup Prize Pack courtesy of the club.

Emily Mclaughlan
Stathi Krikas
Leo Sideras
Renee Ballantyne
Kalebh Horrocks

Please contact George Kouroumalis on mutlimedia@smfc.com.au to redeem your prize.

Thank you for all those who participated.

South Melbourne FC in conjunction with Sports Camps Australia will be hosting three day specialised football camp for kids between the ages of 8 and 12.

South Melbourne will be involved at two separate locations, with one being in Albert Park, while the other will be situated at club partner Alphington Grammar.

For more information and to register your interest, please click on the links below.

Click here for Albert Park

Click here for Alphington Grammar

Youth results for games against Richmond FC on June 15th.

U12s – Won 2:0
Scorer: 2x Dusan Pavlovic

U13s – Won 1:0
Scorer: Alan Fogel

U14s – Won 2:1
Scorers: Keegan Garrow, Andrew Mesourouni

U15s – Won 2:0
Scorers: James Polemicos, Julian Zinni

U16s – Won 7:2
4x Kirk Kirakopoulos
1x Gabriel Riven
1x Tom Baker
1x Chris Nisiotis

U18s – Lost 0:4

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC had to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw against the determined Goulburn Valley Suns in their National Premier League meeting at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday evening. Despite taking an early lead through Tyson Holmes, the home side conceded an equalising goal five minutes later and then failed to break down the Suns defence for the rest of the match. South were also denied a second goal thanks to Jamie Reed having his penalty saved, as the bottom-placed side won a point against the top side in the League.

Chris Taylor’s team went into the match keen on getting back to winning ways following its 3-0 loss against Oakleigh on Friday 6 June, whilst the Suns were keen to stop a losing run of four consecutive matches. The home side took an early lead after ten minutes when Holmes chested down the ball with his back to goal before swivelling and firing an unstoppable shot over goalkeeper Phillip Petrovski and into the back of the net. Peter Zois’ Goulburn side had shown encouraging signs in the opening period of the match and they deservedly equalised five minutes later when Craig Carley’s through-ball was pounced on by Benjamin Clarke, who chipped the ball over the advancing Jason Saldaris and into the back of the unguarded net.

The home side were awarded a spot kick shortly after the halftime break when Milos Lujic was bundled over in the penalty area in what looked like a harsh decision against the Suns. It did not matter however as Reed’s penalty kick was hit at the right height for the goalkeeper and Petrovski guessed the right way – diving to his left – to parry away the spot kick and keep the scores level at 1-1. The away side then almost took a shock lead when a scrambled attempted clearance from the South defence deflected towards their goal, however Saldaris was alert and gathered the ball. South had plenty of chances to win the game but could not take any of them, with the home side coming closest when Nick Epifano’s shot from distance hit the bar and substitute Leigh Minopoulos’ injury-time header flew over the crossbar. In the end, Zois’ side could celebrate a well-earnt point and Taylor’s side were left to rue what might have been. Post-match, a clearly disappointed Taylor noted how “our finishing let us down.”

South still leads the NPL Victoria ladder at the halfway point of the League season, however, its lead has been trimmed from six points to four points following Oakleigh’s win at Ballarat on Saturday afternoon. With two home derbies in the League over the next few weeks against Heidelberg United and Port Melbourne – plus the Dockerty Cup Quarter Final against the Melbourne Knights sandwiched in between – South needs to get back on the winning list very quickly, otherwise its lead at the top of the ladder may completely evaporate within the next fortnight.

There was good news in the NPL 20s, as South Melbourne defeated the Goulburn Valley Suns 3-0 thanks to goals from Josh Markovski, Andy Kecojevic and Ryan Babare.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-1 GOULBURN VALLEY (HT: 1-1)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Tyson Holmes (10′)
1-1: Benjamin Clarke (15′)

Key Stats (Provided by Steven Orchard):
Shots: SMFC (15) – GVS (5)
Balls into Final Third: SMFC (46) – GVS (14)
Clearances: SMFC (5) – GVS (20)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Jason SALDARIS (GK), 2. Tim MALA (15. Kobbie BOAHENE 68′), 3. Andrew MULLETT, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 10. Tyson HOLMES, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 14. James MUSA, 17. Jamie REED (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 62′).

Goulburn Valley Suns:
1. Phillip PETROVSKI (GK), 2. Cody SELLWOOD , 3. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 5. Nick KALAFATIS (4. Thomas LANGMAN 75′), 7. Benjamin CLARKE, 9. Craig CARLEY (14. Rossi LAGANA 88′), 10. Kristian SARKIES, 11. Ardian VUNIQI, 13. Zachary PARASKEVAS (15. Anthony CALANDRO 88′), 16. Frank LAGANA, 19. Hernan ESPINDOLA.

SMFC Man of the Match: Iqi Jawadi
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 15 June 2014

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce Fix Hellas Beer, which is exclusively imported by Agora Merchandising Group as its newest Corporate Partner during the 2014 NPL Victoria season.

The Fix Hellas Beer is the first and most historical Greek owned beer, and is the Greek Beer Ambassador internationally, by exporting to 20 countries

George Iliopoulos, Chairman of the Agora Merchandising Group said “we are delighted to be associated with South Melbourne FC which is considered the most successful football club in Australia, which has won 4 national championships, a string of state league titles and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship. We are looking forward for a long-term relationship and we are looking forward seeing the club grow on and off the field.

SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis said, “we are delighted to welcome the Agora Merchandising Group and FIX HELLAS Beer to our growing portfolio of corporate partners as the Club’s official beverage supplier. It is always exciting to welcome new sponsors to South Melbourne, and look forward to working closely with both George and Paul Iliopoulos to establish a long-term partnership”.

For all media enquiries, please contact Peter Kokotis on (03) 9645 9797 or media@smfc.com.au

By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

South Melbourne FC will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Goulburn Valley Suns at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Both sides suffered defeats in the National Premier League last weekend and will be looking to win the three points on Sunday albeit for contrasting reasons.

South’s 14 match winning streak across both League and Dockerty Cup was finally broken when Oakleigh defeated Chris Taylor’s side 3-0 at Jack Edwards Reserve last Friday 6 June. The result reduced South’s lead at the top of the NPL Victoria ladder to six points ahead of second-placed Oakleigh heading to the halfway point of the season. Goulburn Valley also suffered a big loss when it was defeated 0-4 at home by Dandenong Thunder last Saturday 7 June, making it three losses in a row for Peter Zois’ side and keeping them six points adrift of the second-last placed Ballarat Red Devils at the bottom of the NPL Victoria ladder.

It is expected that Captain Michael Eagar will return to the line-up on Sunday and partner James Musa at centre-half. With Brad Norton suspended following his red card in the dying stages of the Oakleigh game, Taylor will probably shift Andrew Mullett from centre-half into Norton’s left-back spot. Despite their lowly position on the ladder, the Suns have experienced former National Soccer League players on their books in Naum Sekulovski and former South man Kristian Sarkies. They also have an experienced VPL/NPL player in Frankie Lagana and the goal scoring touch of Craig Carley, who has scored eight of the Suns’ 13 League goals this season and will be one player for the South defence to watch out for.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 5PM at Lakeside Stadium and is the first ever meeting between the two sides. Those unable to make the game can follow it with live updates on the South Melbourne FC Facebook page and on the Club’s official Twitter @smfc with the hashtags #NPLVIC and #SMvGVS.

Ahead of the World Cup, South Melbourne FC would like to give five lucky fans the opportunity to win a World Cup package.

By simply filling out your name and email below you will automatically go in the draw to win a win a copy of the STARS IN BRAZIL DVD which was released nationwide on June 4th.

Stars in Brazil celebrates ten of the world’s most talented players on the road to Rio. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s breathtaking skills to the brilliance of Wayne Rooney, Stars in Brazil offers detailed player profiles, fantastic footage and exclusive interviews with football experts.

You will also go in the draw to receive a double pass to the big South Melbourne FC vs Heidelberg United derby match next Sunday June 22nd at Lakeside Stadium.

Competition winners will be announced on Wednesday June 18th. GOOD LUCK!

Fill in details below to Enter Competition

* Please note you will also be subscribed to the SMFC email list. Each email will contain a link for you to remove yourself at any time.

By John Kyrou (photo by Cindy Nitsos)

The Oakleigh Cannons ended South Melbourne FC’s record-breaking start to the season with a resounding 3-0 victory at Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night. The result ended South’s 11 match winning run in the National Premier League and 14 match winning run across all competitions (League and Dockerty Cup) in 2014.

South went into the match without Captain Michael Eagar after he got injured at training during the week. James Musa, who scored against Dandenong Thunder after coming off the substitutes’ bench last weekend, started in Eagar’s place and partnered Andrew Mullett at centre-half. Other than that change, the starting XI remained the same as the one that defeated Dandenong Thunder 5-0 last Sunday 1 June.

The first half of Friday night’s match was a rather dull affair, though both sides could have gone into the break with the lead. Andreas Govas hit a vicious free kick that beat Jason Saldaris but not his right post and the ball was eventually cleared by the South defence. South then had the ball in the back of the net when Milos Lujic tapped home Jamie Reed’s low cross, however the goal was disallowed for offside though it appeared that Lujic was onside. Oakleigh had another chance to open the scoring when a mistake in the South defence put Goran Zoric one-on-one with Saldaris but the big South custodian managed to tip Zoric’s goal-bound shot over for a corner.

Miron Bleiberg’s side stamped their authority on the match in the second half with two goals in the opening 15 minutes that effectively sealed the three points for the home side. Evan Christodoulou opened the scoring on 51 minutes when his left-footed strike from distance took a deflection and looped over a stranded Saldaris and into the back of the net. The Cannons had wrestled control in the midfield and they quickly made it 2-0 on the hour mark when Zoric released Nate Foster through on goal and he finished neatly into the bottom corner to double the home side’s advantage. Zoric had been outstanding all evening and it was the former South man himself that completed the scoring ten minutes later by finishing clinically into the bottom corner after being played through by another former South player in Dusan Bosnjak.

Several yellow cards were issued against South in the closing stages of the game, with stand-in Captain Brad Norton receiving a second yellow and subsequently being sent off in the fifth minute of injury time, making the evening one to forget for the away side. Post-match, Taylor noted that “it was going to happen eventually [losing]…perhaps we needed the loss to re-group and re-focus.” Right-back Tim Mala was disappointed that his side couldn’t win in front of a large travelling support base, adding that “I’m gutted because we had such a good turn-out…it’s such a good game to play in and we just couldn’t capitalise. Having said that, I think we will be fine [returning to winning ways] next week.”

It was further bad news in the NPL 20s, as Oakleigh defeated South Melbourne 4-0.

Despite the loss, South remain six points clear of second-placed Oakleigh on top of the NPL Victoria ladder. South’s Dockerty Cup Quarter Final against the Melbourne Knights has been moved from Tuesday 10 June to Wednesday 25 June, meaning that South’s next match is a League meeting against Goulburn Valley at Lakeside Stadium next Sunday 15 June at 5PM.

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

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Evan Christodoulou (51′)
2-0: Nate Foster (60′)
3-0: Goran Zoric (70′)

Oakleigh Cannons:
1. John HONOS (GK), 2. Thomas LAKIC, 5. Aron WILFORD, 7. Bonel OBRADOVIC (22. George KROMMIDAS 81′), 8. Dusan BOSNJAK, 11. Evan CHRISTODOULOU, 14. Nate FOSTER (17. Dean PIEMONTE 72′), 19. Goran ZORIC, 20. Jordan LOWDON, 21. Andreas GOVAS (16. Ariel RITZ 58′), 23. Dominic D’ANGELO.

South Melbourne FC:
1. Jason SALDARIS (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 3. Andrew MULLETT, 7. Nick EPIFANO (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 62′), 8. Mathew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 10. Tyson HOLMES (15. Kobbie BOAHENE 72′), 11. Brad NORTON (C) (sent off 90+5′), 12. Iqi JAWADI (20. Slaven VRANESEVIC 79′), 14. James MUSA, 17. Jamie REED.

SMFC Man of the Match: James Musa
Venue: Jack Edwards Reserve
Date: Friday 6 June 2014

By John Kyrou

The top two sides in the National Premier League Victoria competition meet on Friday night when the Oakleigh Cannons host South Melbourne FC at Jack Edwards Reserve. With South currently leading the Cannons by nine points on the League ladder, victory for the Cannons will reduce that lead to six points whilst another win for Chris Taylor’s side will see them extend their lead at the top to at least 11 points (assuming that Heidelberg defeats Werribee City on Sunday). With the season approaching the halfway mark, such a massive lead at the top of the ladder will allow South Melbourne to be well placed for the challenges that lie ahead for the second half of the season.

Oakleigh got back into winning form against Werribee City with a 2-0 victory at Jack Edwards Reserve last Saturday night. The three points were vital as Miron Bleiberg’s side had dropped crucial points in their previous few League matches against Northcote City (1-1 home draw on 18 May) and Pascoe Vale (2-0 away loss on 23 May). Friday night’s match is of huge importance to the home side as it cannot afford to slip 12 points behind South on the NPL Victoria ladder, and will no doubt be going for the three points it needs to stay in touch with the League leaders. With players such as Dean Piemonte, Andreas Govas, Nate Foster and former South men Goran Zoric and Dusan Bosnjak at his disposal, Bleiberg will be confident his side can be the first ones to take points off South this season.

Chris Taylor’s men head into Friday’s match confident and knowing that even a draw at Jack Edwards Reserve will be no disaster as it will still maintain at least a nine point lead at the top of the ladder (assuming Heidelberg win). Nevertheless, it is expected that South will go for the three points to try and extend its winning run to 12/12 in the League and 15/15 across all competitions. All of Taylor’s players will want to perform well in the Oakleigh match to stake their claim for selection in the big Dockerty Cup Quarter Final match against the Melbourne Knights. The biggest selection headache for Taylor will be which two of three players he selects to play at centre-half. Andrew Mullett stepped in to replace injured Captain Michael Eagar (against Pascoe Vale and Werribee City) and then replaced New Zealand international James Musa (against Dandenong in both Cup and League matches) and was one of the reasons why South kept clean sheets in all of those games. As Club Captain, Eagar would be expected to play in every match barring injury or suspension so the other spot at centre-half appears to be a choice between Mullett and Musa. The Kiwi international did himself no harm for selection when he played well for New Zealand against South Africa last Friday night before coming off the bench to score for South against Dandenong two days later.

Friday night’s match against Oakleigh Cannons kicks off at 8:30PM at Jack Edwards Reserve. Those unable to make the game can follow it with live updates on the South Melbourne FC Facebook page and on the Club’s official Twitter @smfc with the hashtags #NPLVIC and #OCvSM.