Category: News

Friday, 28 June 2013 9:00 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC hosts Port Melbourne Sharks on Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Stadium in a match that the home side must win in order to keep up with the top three.

Following the thoroughly disappointing 3-0 loss to Northcote City last Sunday, South announced the departures of Luke Byles (captain), Tom Matthews (one of three vice captains), Rhodri Payne, Joe Keenan and Sebastian Mattei during the week ahead of the mid-season transfer window. Fellow vice captains Dimi Tsiaras and Fernando De Moraes will be required to step up and lead the side following the departures of Byles and Matthews. Tsiaras is expected to replace Byles by joining Shaun Kelly at centre-back this weekend whilst it is likely that Dimi Hatzimouratis will return to right-back – where he did an excellent job at the start of the season – following Matthews’ departure. There is also the possibility that youngster Matko Budimir may be given a chance in defence following his good performance against Northcote City in the Cup game on 10 June. Exciting Dutchman Nick Soolsma has been signed by the Club and will be in contention for a place in the starting eleven.

South currently sits in fourth place on the Victorian Premier League ladder with 17 points. Northcote are 11 points ahead of South (28 points), Hume City is four points ahead (21) and Bentleigh Greens are two points ahead (19). What is also a cause for concern is the fact that fifth-placed Melbourne Knights and sixth-placed Port Melbourne are both only two points behind South on 15 points each. South could end the weekend in outright third place or could drop out of the top five altogether. With a run of five straight League matches at Lakeside Stadium, it is a crucial part of the year that will really define South’s season. A tally of 10-12 points out of the next available 15 points at home would set South up nicely for a finals appearance, whilst 15 out of 15 would go a long way to securing a top three finish.

Port Melbourne will be looking to take advantage of South’s shot confidence on Sunday afternoon. Whilst Eric Vassiliadis’ side has never played South in the Victorian Premier League, they have played – and twice defeated – South in the State Knockout Cup in the last two years. On both occasions Port was a State League One side that was trailing 1-0 before winning both matches 2-1 and knocking an embarrassed South out of the competition. Having been promoted at the end of 2012 and sitting comfortably mid-table in 2013 as the season approaches the halfway mark, Port Melbourne will be a difficult opponent to overcome on Sunday.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 3pm at Lakeside Stadium.

Last time we met

Thursday, 27 June 2013 3:23 PM

South Melbourne FC wishes to advise that it has released Luke Byles, Tom Matthews, Joe Keenan, Sebastian Mattei and Rhodri Payne ahead of the mid-season transfer period.

Luke Byles was elected captain for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season following the early retirement of Steven O’Dor. Byles arrived at Lakeside Stadium in late 2011 following a strong season at Heidelberg United earlier that year. Prior to that, Luke represented Southampton’s reserve side in the 2003/04 English Premier League season. The centre-half made 30 appearances for the Club.

Tom Matthews arrived at the Club during the 2011 mid-season transfer window, signing for Eddie Krncevic’s side from the Bentleigh Greens. Prior to playing for Bentleigh, he enjoyed stints at Boston United and Hull City Under 19s in the United Kingdom. Matthews made 33 appearances for South Melbourne and played mostly as a right-back. He scored one goal, that being in the final round of the 2012 Victorian Premier League season against Heidelberg United. He was appointed as one of three Vice Captains for 2013, alongside Dimi Tsiaras and Fernando De Moraes.

Joe Keenan joined South Melbourne in 2010. He began his professional career in the Chelsea Youth Academy and played two senior matches for the London side before unfortunately breaking his leg. He continued to play professionally with Brentford (England), Willem II Tillburg (Netherlands), Hibernian (Scotland), and also had stints at both Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United. He represented South Melbourne on 44 occasions and scored five goals. Unfortunately for Joe, he missed many matches due to injury.

Rhodri Payne was signed by Michael Michalakopoulos ahead of the 2009 VPL season and provided stability at left fullback for the Club. The New Zealander represented the Club on 73 occasions and scored two goals in the process. Unfortunately for Rhodri, he did not make a senior appearance for South Melbourne in 2013.

Sebastian Mattei joined South Melbourne this season as Peter Gavalas’ back-up goalkeeper and did not make an appearance for the senior side.

South Melbourne FC wishes Luke Byles, Tom Matthews, Joe Keenan, Rhodri Payne and Sebastian Mattei all the best in their future endeavours and thanks them for their time at the Club.

Tuesday, 25 June 2013 10:27 AM

South Melbourne FC was proud to provide assistance to a wonderful charity recently continuing its focus on community engagement and assisting those less fortunate.

Over the weekend, South Melbourne provided 100 soccer balls to the Footys4All Foundation through the great help of SMFC legend Jimmy Armstrong.

The Footys4All Foundation is a registered not for profit children’s sporting foundation, that supplies new sporting balls from all codes (footballs, basketballs, soccer balls etc.) to disadvantaged, underprivileged and socially displaced children from around Australia and the world, free of charge. The Foundation’s mission is to unite the world through the power of sport and physical activity. Many of the children who receive a ball have never had one, something most of us take for granted.Balls are distributed via existing registered community, sporting, educational and charity organisations.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Tom Kalas who helped facilitate the donation said “We at South Melbourne are extremely proud to be working with the Footys4All Foundation, and this kind of charity work highlights how football can make a difference and bring joy to so many people from less fortunate and underprivileged backgrounds. We have been working with a number of charities such as the Koala Kids Foundation and Challenge which both assist children with cancer. We want to teach our junior players more importantly that contributing to the community is an important life lesson that will hopefully become ingrained as they move into adulthood. All this is possible with the tremendous support we receive from Nissan Motors and Essendon Nissan who are our Principal Community Program Partner.”

For more information on the valuable work the Foundation does, please visit the website at www.footys4all.com.au

Monday, 24 June 2013 1:58 PM

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce that it’s YouTube Channel that hosts SMFC TV online has just hit the 1 million view mark!

Since 2009, the club has been at the forefront of the digital space in Australian sport and has lead the way by being able to provide fans of both the club and the game with an innovative new way of keeping in touch with the club.

Multimedia and Marketing Manager George Kouroumalis was proud of the club’s achievement, stating that “it is very exciting and rewarding to see that the club has been successfully able implement a marketing and digital strategy that has assisted in transforming South Melbourne FC into a modern and vibrant club, as well as being able to showcase our great club right across the globe. Without the work of our fantastic volunteers and the support of the board and corporate partners, we would not have been able to achieve what we have so far.”

The club would also like to thank our producer Paul Zarogiannis, hosts David Henning and John Kyrou and cameraman Tim Dovas for all their great work on SMFC TV.

SMFC TV Online can be viewed by visiting www.smfc.tv, while the SMFC TV show can be seen every Wednesday night on Channel 31 at 6pm.

For suggestions regarding the show, please email George Kouroumalis at multimedia@smfc.com.au.

Monday, 24 June 2013 12:45 PM

By John Kyrou

Northcote City showed why they were the team to beat in 2013 after defeating a very disappointing South Melbourne FC 3-0 at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon. Milos Lujic opened the scoring in the first half and Kristian Konstantinidis’ header doubled Northcote’s lead after the break before Michael Catalano’s wonder strike confirmed a horror afternoon for the away side.

South started the match brightly and came close to scoring when Rhys Meredith just failed to reach Tyson Holmes’ low cross to the back post. Northcote then had two chances to score, firstly when Peter Gavalas made an excellent save from a Konstantinidis header and secondly when James Kalifatidis got past the South defence before hitting the post. The home side didn’t have to wait much longer to open the scoring however, as Lujic got onto the end of a long ball and slotted past Gavalas. In a further blow to South, the away side had to make two substitutions as Meredith and Joe Keenan both hobbled off injured. Centre-half Shaun Kelly tried an overhead kick to beat Northcote goalkeeper Chris Petropoulos but Michael Eager cleared the ball off the line as Northcote went into the break a goal ahead.

The home side killed off any chance of a South Melbourne comeback with two quick goals in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half. Alex Rojas’ in-swinging corner was powerfully headed home by Konstantinidis before the substitute Catalano scored the goal of the match, unleashing a strike from outside the area that gave Gavalas no chance of stopping. The second half was a complete disaster as South failed to string basic passes together, whilst Northcote were always first to the loose ball and were able to break quickly to put the South defence under constant pressure. The two shining lights for South were Andrew Cartanos and Fernando De Moraes, both substitutes, who managed to get in behind the Northcote defence a few times as the game went on. Gavalas was also solid and had he not made some important stops, the score line could have been even worse.

South coach Peter Tsolakis was extremely disappointed post-match, noting that “we just did not show up today and couldn’t execute the simple stuff. We had 71 turnovers… it is a completely unacceptable performance for a South Melbourne side and we just need to put this behind us and focus on Port Melbourne this coming Sunday.”

South now has five home matches in a row in the Victorian Premier League, starting with Port Melbourne next Sunday 30 June at 3pm.

In the Under-21s, Northcote City and South Melbourne FC played out a 0-0 draw.

FINAL SCORE: NORTHCOTE CITY 3-0 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Milos Lujic (27′)
2-0: Kristian Konstantinidis (56′)
3-0: Michael Catalano (59′)

Key Stats (provided by Steven Orchard)
Shots: Northcote 14 – South Melbourne 11
Turnovers: Northcote 48 – South Melbourne 71
Clearances: Northcote 12 – South Melbourne 3
Shots Blocked: Northcote 1 – South Melbourne 5

Northcote City :
Chris PETROPOULOS (GK), Nick TZOULIS (Steven SIFINOS 68′), Rashid MAHAZI (Michael CATALANO 39′), Dean PIEMONTE (Nick TEREZAKIS 79′), Bonel OBRADOVIC, Michael EAGER, James KALIFATIDIS, Adrian CHIAPPETTA, Alex ROJAS, Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS, Milos LUJIC

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 7. Joe KEENAN (20. Andrew CARTANOS 35′), 10. Tyson HOLMES, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Rhys MEREDITH (14. Andy VLAHOS 33′), 13. Luke BYLES (C), 15. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS, 16. Alan KEARNEY , 18. Marinos GASPARIS (8. Fernando DE MORAES 70′), 19. Shaun KELLY

SMFC Man of the Match: Andrew Cartanos
Venue: John Cain Memorial Park
Date: Sunday 23 June 2013

Friday, 21 June 2013 11:48 AM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the launch of the second School Holiday Clinic for 2013.

These clinics will provide young players invaluable training to improve their skill set and further improve their technique. As part of the holiday football clinics, kids will receive specialist coaching by South Melbourne FC coaches from its elite Youth Development Programme and Socceroo legend Mehmet Durakovic. Participants will also receive lunch and a SMFC pack as part of their participation as well.

The cost of the SMFC clinic for all three days collectively is $220. Numbers are limited, so to reserve your place, please contact the Club on 9645 9797.

Dates
July 9th, 10th, 11th

Venue
Old Orchard primary School located at Koonung Road Blackburn North
Northcote Indoor Sports Centre located at 338 Mansfield Street Thornbury

Cost
$220 (inclusive of GST)

To Register
Contact the club on 1300 074 586 or email your interest to register to info@goldenbootfa.com.au

Friday, 21 June 2013 9:09 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC travels to John Cain Memorial Park to face Victorian Premier League leaders Northcote City on Sunday afternoon.

South is the only team to have beaten Northcote in 2013, defeating them 3-2 in extra time in the Fifth Round of the State Knockout Cup on Queen’s Birthday Monday. The two sides meet again on Sunday, this time in League competition, with Northcote having won eight and drawn one of their nine VPL matches this season. That leaves Goran Lozanovski’s side eight points clear of South on the ladder, with Northcote having 25 points from nine games as South sits in fourth place with 17 points from nine matches. South could end the round in second place should it defeat Northcote and Bentleigh Greens (away to Green Gully) and Hume City (away to Melbourne Knights) fail to pick up maximum points.

Northcote goes into the match having grounded out a professional 0-1 victory against Dandenong Thunder at George Andrews Reserve last Friday night. Milos Lujic’s 65th minute goal was the difference between the two sides. South goes into the match on the back of the 2-2 draw in the derby against the Melbourne Knights. South twice fought back from a goal down and shared the points with their rivals thanks to a Brad Norton goal in the 24th minute and former player Ljubo Milicevic’s own goal in the 62nd minute. South’s last two League matches have both been draws and the Club will be hoping to win three points this weekend.

In the corresponding fixture played on Sunday 26 August last year, striker Steve Burton’s 74th minute goal was enough for South to triumph 0-1. South will be hoping for a similar result this weekend.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 3pm at John Cain Memorial Park .

Last time we met

2013
State Knockout Cup – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj0SOxX91XM

2012
Round 9 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oAKcUIPLCM
Round 20 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkx4Lq6Jmm4

2011
Round 11 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPEHLoYeBPs
Round 22 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–2xeUi1Y04

2010
Round 3 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6xvhE5CPBA
Round 14 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOTmKbXZddU

Monday, 17 June 2013 11:58 AM

By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

South Melbourne FC’s 100% winning record at Lakeside Stadium in 2013 came to an end on Sunday afternoon after it was held to a 2-2 draw by the Melbourne Knights in an entertaining derby match. The Knights lead twice in the game but were pegged back firstly by Brad Norton’s finish in the first half and then by former South player Ljubo Milicevic’s own goal in the second half.

Before the kick-off, a ten minute video was played featuring highlights in matches played between South and the Knights in what has been a strong football rivalry for many years. Also ahead of the kick-off, South Melbourne FC president Leo Athanasakis presented the Melbourne Knights president Ange Cimera with a piece of silverware in recognition of the Knights’ 60th birthday.

The home side began slowly and it was the Knights who opened the scoring eight minutes into the match when Anthony Colosimo’s free kick from the left was headed home by Ben Surey. That goal woke South up and the home side should have leveled shortly afterwards but Trent Rixon’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Surey. A minute later, Rixon tapped the ball home past Knights goalkeeper Chris May after being set up by Rhys Meredith but the goal was ruled out for offside. The home side eventually levelled midway through the half when Dimi Tsiaras’ flick put Brad Norton through on goal and the left-back fired past May to make the score 1-1. The Knights re-took the lead only a short time later when Shayan Alinejad found himself completely unmarked at the back post to fire an unstoppable volley past Peter Gavalas. The Knights could have gone further ahead but for Gavalas making an important block on Jacob Colosimo’s shot after the Knights striker was put through on goal by Surey.

South dominated the second half possession-wise but struggled to break down a resilient Knights defence that was intent on holding out for the three points. May made a number of important stops as the Knights continued to hold on to their lead. South’s pressure eventually led to an embarrassing equalising goal as Milicevic, in his first match for the Knights in the Victorian Premier League, headed past his own goalkeeper to make the score 2-2. South applied even more pressure on the Knights in the final half an hour but the away side held on thanks to a combination of important saves by May, excellent last-gasp defensive clearances and poor South finishing. South’s best two chances came when an unmarked Tyson Holmes couldn’t properly connect to a header at the back post and when Dimi Hatzimouratis fired over the bar from only metres out in the second minute of injury time.

In the end both sides had to settle with a point each, though South will be disappointed they didn’t continue their 100% winning record at Lakeside this season. South now drops to fourth on the VPL ladder, eight points behind leaders Northcote City but just a point behind the second-placed Bentleigh Greens.

The Under-21s enjoyed a 2-0 victory against the Melbourne Knights, with Andrew Cartanos scoring both goals.

South’s next game is a crucial match against Northcote City at John Cain Memorial Park next Sunday afternoon. Kick-off is at 3PM.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 2-2 MELBOURNE KNIGHTS (HT: 1-2)

Goal Scorers:
0-1: Ben Surey (8′)
1-1: Brad Norton (24′)
1-2: Shayan Alinejad (30′)
2-2: Ljubo Milicevic Own Goal (62′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 6. Dimi TSIARAS (10. Tyson HOLMES 58′), 9. Trent RIXON, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Rhys MEREDITH (14. Andy VLAHOS 80′), 13. Luke BYLES (C), 15. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS, 16. Alan KEARNEY , 18. Marinos GASPARIS (7. Joe KEENAN 68′), 19. Shaun KELLY

Melbourne Knights:
1. Chris MAY (GK), 3. Ryan FILIPOVIC (2. Michael SIMMS), 4. Adam ZILIC, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 9. Jacob COLOSIMO (12. Joseph KONYIT), 10. Marijan CVITKOVIC (13. Hassan DARAMY), 11. Anthony COLOSIMO, 14. Ben SUREY, 19. Shayan ALINEJAD, 24. Sam TORRENS

SMFC Man of the Match: Shaun Kelly
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 16 June 2013

Friday, 14 June 2013 9:22 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC hosts the Melbourne Knights on Sunday afternoon in what is the first derby between the two sides in 2013.

The home side goes into the match on the back of a three match unbeaten run in all competitions and having defeated Northcote City 3-2 in extra time in the fifth round of the State Knockout Cup on Queen’s Birthday Monday. The Melbourne Knights had last weekend off after losing their fourth round match 0-1 against Keilor Park at Somers Street on Friday 3 May.

South coach Peter Tsolakis used Monday’s Cup game to give extra game time to youngsters Andrew Cartanos (started) Matko Budimir (substitute 30’) and debutant Anthony Giannopoulos (substitute 108’). Fernando De Moraes also returned to the senior side for the first time since coming on as a substitute in the Victorian Premier League match against Richmond on Sunday 12 May and fellow veteran Andy Vlahos played over an hour on Monday, having come on after 53 minutes and playing during the extra-time period. Tsolakis rested Joe Keenan, Tyson Holmes and captain Luke Byles for the Cup game and will more than likely include all three on Sunday to replace some tired bodies that played the full 120 minutes last Monday. In important news for South, Alan Kearney is free to play this weekend following his red card against Northcote. The FFV ruled that because the red card occured in the State Knockout Cup, Kearney is to serve the automatic one game ban in the next Cup game, which will be the Quarter Final game against Preston Lions in late July.

The Melbourne Knights will be keen on getting back-to-back away victories against South, having won 1-2 at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday 20 May 2012. Adam Zilic flicked the ball into the back of the net from a free kick to open the scoring after 40 minutes before a Brad Norton header drew South level on 58 minutes. Yet it was the Knights that won all three points when former South player Yusuf Yusuf cut the ball back for Jacob Colosimo to score after 70 minutes. With the Knights celebrating their 60th birthday this year, they will be very motivated to spoil South’s 100% winning record at Lakeside Stadium in 2013 and at the same time overtake South on the Victorian Premier League ladder. South sit in third place on the ladder with 16 points from their eight Victorian Premier League matches, whilst the Knights are in sixth place (but level with fifth-placed Port Melbourne) with 14 points.

Both coaches (Tsolakis for South and Andrew Marth of the Melbourne Knights) played and scored many goals for their respective Clubs in this fixture in the former National Soccer League and both will no doubt be reminding their sides about the historical importance of the derby fixture and how vital the three points are.

Sunday’s derby kicks off at 3:00pm at Lakeside Stadium.

Last time we met

Thursday, 13 June 2013 4:41 PM

MEDIA RELEASE: MESSAGE FROM PETER GAVALAS

To all South Melbourne FC fans,

I would like to take this opportunity to apologise profusely for my gesture directed towards the crowd during the second half of the Knockout Cup clash with Northcote City FC. There is no excuse or place for such behaviour whilst in the sporting arena and wearing a South Melbourne shirt.

My actions were ill timed and misguided in attempting to stand up for the playing group, which does need the support of its fans. I acknowledge however, that this is not my responsibility and rather I should, as I have done so far this season concentrate on my on-field performance.

I hope you all enjoyed the performance of the boys on Monday and look forward to seeing you on Sunday for our clash with old rivals Melbourne Knights.

Yours in Sport,

Pete Gavalas