Category: News

Friday, 14 September 2012 8:36 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC completes its 2012 season when it travels to Olympic Village to take on traditional rival Heidelberg United on Sunday afternoon. Despite the result of the match being meaningless due to South’s inability to qualify for the finals and Heidelberg already doomed to relegation, both sides will be keen on getting three points for one final laugh against their respective opponents.

South go into Sunday’s game on the back of a heartbreaking 1-1 draw against Bentleigh Greens last Sunday at Lakeside Stadium. South needed to win to keep its finals hopes alive and had the precious goal it needed when substitute Andy Vlahos headed home in the 78th minute. It was a disaster from then on, as Glen Trifiro limped off with an ankle injury and then Dimi Tsiaras was red carded for a last-man foul, reducing South to nine players as the home side had used up all of their substitutions. The Blues managed to hold out until the 92nd minute when Scott Bulloch’s neat finish killed South’s season and rendered the Heidelberg game meaningless. Both players will obviously be missing for this weekend’s game.

The positive news for South is the availability of Trent Rixon on Sunday, as the striker has served his suspension obtained against Richmond on Friday 20 July. Coach Peter Tsolakis may opt to rest goalkeeper Peter Gavalas and give Under-21s goalkeeper Jason Saldaris his debut in the VPL. Saldaris has played in the Under-21s all season and only featured in the Senior team in the Cup game against Malvern City on Sunday 29 April. Some of the Club’s younger players may be given extended time on the field on Sunday and Captain Steven O’Dor may also be recalled after not being used off the substitutes’ bench against Bentleigh last weekend. A good win against Heidelberg should see South finish the season in sixth place, however a loss could see the side finish as low as ninth.

Heidelberg will finish the season in last place on the VPL ladder and will be in State League 1 next season; however that will not stop the Bergers from attempting to defeat South one final time in League competition. The Bergers have a very good record against South in recent times at Olympic Village, enjoying four wins and one draw in the last five games between the teams at the ground. In fact South’s last victory against Heidelberg at Olympic Village was on Sunday 5 February 2006, when Jonas Salley (90+1’) and Tansel Baser (90+3’) scored late goals to earn the three points for South. Heidelberg has not tasted victory in the League this season since Sunday 5 August, when it defeated the Melbourne Knights 2-1 at Olympic Village. Since then it has only managed to pick up a solitary point against Northcote and has lost every other game, including the basement battle last weekend against second-last placed Moreland Zebras 4-1.

Earlier on this season (Sunday 24 June), a powerful finish at the near post by Jason Trifiro (19’) and a second-half deflected goal from Brad Norton (55’) was enough for a relieved South to defeat Heidelberg 2-1 at Lakeside Stadium. In the corresponding match played between the two sides last season at Olympic Village (Sunday 13 March 2011), Jesse Krncevic (28’) and a Marinos Gasparis header deep into injury time earned Eddie Krncevic’s South side a 2-2 draw against the Bergers. That result broke a four-game losing run at the Village for South.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 3PM at Olympic Village.

Last time we met

Monday, 10 September 2012 1:00 PM

South Melbourne Girl’s Soccer – Players Needed

If you know a girl 9 or 10 years old who would like to play soccer this season with the South Melbourne Football Club then please contact Quinton Smith on 0400 442020 or send an email to qsmfc@hotmail.com. South Melbourne junior girls are looking for players to complete their U/11 joey’s roster with a few places left. Training is at Princess Park on Bambra Road on Saturday afternoons, games are Sunday mornings, with home games at Princess Park. Costs have been reduced to  $290 which gets you the uniform (socks, shorts & top) rain jacket, training, game fees, and insurance.

South Melbourne FC recently launched its ambitious Youth Development Program that will form part of the club’s application to receive an ‘Elite Club’ licence and commence the transition to fulfil the criteria stipulated in the FFA National Competitions Review.

The club will be employing a full time Technical Director from Brazil who will arrive in Melbourne in October to commence overseeing the Youth Development Program. To assist the Technical Director, a team of full time primary coaching staff will train and implement the football curriculum. All primary coaching staff will hold UEFA or FIFA equivalent to B or C coaching licences. Each youth team will also be assigned an Assistant Coach. Medical and education support will also feature as part of the Youth Development Program.

Benefits of participation in the intensive SMFC Youth Development Program include:

• SMFC youth players to be trained in the latest training methods currently employed in Europe and South America
• Minimum of four training sessions for U12-18 age groups per week for 48 weeks
• Minimum of three training sessions for U9-11 age groups per week for 48 weeks
• Full time Technical Director and full time highly qualified coaching staff
• Education support to assist players with the provision of tutors to fulfil their academic commitments prior to training.
• Opportunity to participate in Exchange Program to train at overseas academies
• Provision of medical staff to oversee players and provide support, advice, medical attention and nutritional information

Trials for the new intensive SMFC Youth Development Program will commence in October 2012. The process of selection will involve a twelve-week trial period comprising of four training sessions per week.

As part of this development program, up to four South youth players will be afforded the opportunity to travel to and train at the Fragata FC Football Academy in Brazil for up to a period of two to four weeks at no cost to the player or their family.

Participants in the intensive SMFC Youth Development Program will be a part of the FFA youth development pathway and have the opportunity to participate in the Australian Premier League (APL). The APL is an important step to tie together and improve our code with the desired effect of developing youth and allowing clubs like ours to have the opportunity to again play at the highest national levels.

South Melbourne FC has a proud tradition of producing over 50 Socceroo players and was instrumental in the creation of the first truly national football competition in the late 1970s. Its success in Australian football was recognised when it received the prestigious award Oceania Confederation Club of the Century.

The Club has successfully implemented a youth development program, which will allow South Melbourne FC to be at the forefront of youth development as our program very much follows what is contemplated in the National Competition Review.

Trials for the Youth Development Program are scheduled to take place in early October.

To express your interest in reserving a place in the trial selection process, please contact Harry Gatsoulis on 0458 813 837 or Stav Sakalis on 0414 403 690.

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

Monday, 10 September 2012 12:06 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC hearts were broken on Sunday evening at Lakeside Stadium when the Blues conceded a second half injury time goal to draw 1-1 with the Bentleigh Greens. The result means that South mathematically can not challenge for the 2012 VPL finals series in the final round of the season next weekend and summed up what has been a horror season for the Blues.

With Green Gully losing 0-3 against the Dandenong Thunder and Southern Stars coming from behind to defeat Hume City 2-1, South went into the Bentleigh game knowing that a victory would see it climb to within 3 points of fourth-placed Gully and to within 2 points of fifth-placed Northcote City. With Gully and Northcote facing each other in the final round next week, a South win against Heidelberg in their final game would have seen the Blues more than likely finish in the five at either Gully or Northcote’s expense. However the first task was to defeat John Anastasiadis’ Bentleigh side that had not lost a League game since a 1-0 defeat against Richmond on Friday 6 July.

The home side dominated the first half but squandered chances as acting captain Fernando De Moraes and Joe Keenan both blasted shots over the crossbar. Bentleigh goalkeeper Griffin McMaster was counting himself lucky when he was caught out of his area and was nearly chipped from a fair distance by South youngster Andrew Cartanos. Luckily for the Greens custodian the ball landed on top of the goal instead of in it. McMaster then made a solid block to deny South striker Steve Burton as South got on top of their opponents. The Greens’ only real notable chance of the half came from a Luke Pilkington shot from the edge of the area that South goalkeeper Peter Gavalas comfortably saved.

South began the second half strongly as the home side knew that it had to score and win the game to have any chance of playing finals football. South should have had the lead when Keenan’s shot could only be parried by McMaster into the path of Burton, however despite an open goal the striker blasted wide in what was an absolutely golden opportunity wasted for the home side. Coach Peter Tsolakis needed to make changes to keep the side fresh and Shaun Kelly, Andy Vlahos and Phil Petreski were introduced into the game with under twenty minutes to go. The move paid off as Kelly began a move that culminated in Burton crossing in from the left for Vlahos to head past McMaster at the back post and give the home side a valuable 1-0 lead with only 12 minutes of normal time remaining.

South just needed to hold on to the lead and it would have been in a prime position next weekend to make the finals, however the final 10 minutes summed up what has truly been a season filled with unfortunate twists. Shortly after Vlahos’ goal. Glen Trifiro had to be carried off with what looked like a broken ankle following a tackle from a Greens player. With South having used up all three of its substitutes already, the home side had to defend its lead with only 10 men. It then went from bad to worse only minutes later when Dimi Tsiaras was given a straight red card for committing a foul as the last man. South now had to see the game out with only 9 men. Incredibly, Burton almost sealed the win for the home team but his low strike went narrowly wide of McMaster’s goal. South valiantly held on right up until the second minute of injury time when Bulloch found the back of the net with a neat finish despite a series of saves from Gavalas. It was a cruel way to end South’s finals hopes for 2012 but yet it was not surprising at the same time considering the lack of clean sheets and missed opportunities throughout the season.

South ends its season next Sunday against bottom-placed Heidelberg United at Olympic Village.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-1 BENTLEIGH GREENS (HT: 0-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Andy Vlahos (78′)
1-1: Scott Bulloch (90+2′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 3. Rhodri PAYNE (5. Phil PETRESKI 71′), 6. Dimi TSIARAS (sent off 86′), 7. Joe KEENAN, 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Steve BURTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 15. Fernando DE MORAES (19. Shaun KELLY 76’), 20. Andrew CARTANOS (14. Andy VLAHOS 71′).

Bentleigh Greens:
Griffin McMASTER (GK), Evan BATSIS, Nicholas CURTIS, Wayne WALLACE, Ryan DE VRIES, Paulo RETRE (Scott BULLOCH 83’), Aron WILFORD, Jack WEBSTER, Dominic D’ANGELO, Luke PILKINGTON, Steve HATZIKOSTAS (Andrija JUKIC 80’).

SMFC Man of the Match: Andrew Cartanos
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 9 September 2012

Friday, 7 September 2012 12:03 PM

By John Kyrou

It is another do-or-die match for South Melbourne FC when the side hosts the Bentleigh Greens at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. South needs maximum points against the Greens in order to continue its last-minute push for a finals spot in 2012. Incredibly, South can finish the round in fifth place should it defeat Bentleigh and results in other matches favour them.



South go into the game on the back of a hard-fought 0-1 victory against Northcote at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday 26 August. Steve Burton was the scorer of that vital goal that kept South just two points behind Northcote in fifth spot with only two rounds remaining. A loss for Northcote against Oakleigh this Friday night, Hume not defeating Southern Stars on Saturday night and a South win on Sunday afternoon will see the Blues end the round in fifth spot. However that task will not be easy against a Bentleigh side eager to consolidate their position in the top three standings.

John Anastasiadis’ Bentleigh side go into Sunday’s game on the back of a 3-0 win over Heidelberg on Friday 24 August. Bentleigh has not been defeated in the League for over two months, having last lost 0-1 at home against Richmond on Friday 6 July. The Greens also have the wood on South this season having defeated the Blues 1-0 thanks to a late penalty back on Friday 15 June. A victory for Bentleigh could see them end the round in second spot, a big incentive for the Greens heading into Sunday’s game. In the corresponding fixture last season on Sunday 6 March 2011, a header by Sebastian Petrovic (2’) and a wonder goal by Kyle Joryeff (38’) was enough to cancel out Sean McIlroy’s goal on the half hour as South won 2-1. 

South should have a full-strength team to choose from, with the exception of striker Trent Rixon who has one more game to serve through suspension. Shaun Kelly is still 50-50 having rolled an ankle against Northcote two weeks ago, whilst captain Steven O’Dor should be available.

Sunday’s game kicks off at 5:00PM at Lakeside Stadium.

Last time we met

Tuesday, 28 August 2012 1:51 PM

South Melbourne FC would like to congratulate Bill Asimakidis and his team at Star21 for being awarded Victorian Telstra Business Dealer of the Year for the third year in a row. Not only did Star21 win this award for the third year in a row, but it was also acknowledged by Telstra for being in the top 3 of both the ‘Telstra Enterprise Partner of the Year’ and ‘National Business Dealer of the Year’ awards.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Managing Director of Star21 , Bill Asimakidis was delighted with the successful news and said “Our ability to deliver exceptional customer service with Telstra’s outstanding network technology, has resulted in the team at Star21 winning numerous awards. For the third successive year, we are thrilled to have won the ‘Telstra Business Dealer of the Year 2012 – Victoria’. In addition to this, we were proud to be recognised in the Top 3 for ‘Telstra Enterprise Partner of the Year’ and ‘National Business Dealer of the Year’. We’d like to thank our loyal customers for their support as we continue to deliver the highest quality service and solutions to meet their needs, and to ensure their business success”.

Club President Leo Athanasakis said “we are delighted and extremely pleased to see our major sponsor defending its title as Victorian Telstra Business Dealer of the Year for the third year in a row. On behalf of all stakeholders within the club, I would like to pass on my congratulations and best wishes to Bill and his team, and hope they can make it four in a row next year.

Star21 is one of Telstra’s most successful channel partners as it specialises in all facets of telecommunications and help businesses integrate their voice, data, internet and mobile requirements. Their status as a Fully Accredited Telstra Channel Partner means that organisations can enjoy the full range of expertise, experience and capacity on offer as a broad-spectrum telecommunications solution.

Star21 joined South Melbourne FC as Major Sponsor in early 2011, with the company logo proudly displayed on the front of the South Melbourne FC shirt.

We once again congratulate Mr Asimakidis and those associated with Star21 on this wonderful achievement.

Monday, 27 August 2012 12:11 PM

South Melbourne Football Club is delighted to announce that Austpac Self Storage will be a new corporate partner of the club for the remainder of this season, and for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season.

Austpac Self Storage is a more modern and thoughtful place to store your personal items and extend your home or business space.

During the redevelopment of the club’s social club space, Austpac Self Storage will be assisting the club with storage for all its memorabilia and other items requiring storage.

As part of its commitment to South Melbourne Football Club , Austpac Self Storage is offering SMFC Members and its corporate partners 30% off regular storage fees for up to 12 months.

To be eligible for the special offer, you merely need to mention SMFC.

Speaking to Peter Kokotis SMFC General Manager, he advised that he was delighted to have secured this new corporate partner and said “SMFC” having been located in the area for over 50 years and welcomes Austpac Self Storage to the South Melbourne and surrounding Business districts.

Austpac Self Storage provides state of the art storage centres, first class service and we could not entrust anyone better to protect our most treasured trophies and memorabilia as we start refurbishing our social room.

We thank Austpac for their support and encourage all sponsors, members and stakeholders of the club to engage their services if you require self-storage or packing materials.

Austpac Self Storage

658 Church Street Richmond
125 Montague Street, South Melbourne
1300 488 788
www.austpacselfstorage.com.au
Richmond@austpacselfstorage.com.au or sthmelb@austpacselfstorage.com.au

Monday, 27 August 2012 9:54 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC kept its 2012 finals chances alive when it defeated Northcote City for the first time in Victorian Premier League competition on Sunday afternoon at John Cain Memorial Park. Steve Burton was the match winner for the away side by scoring the only goal of the game after 74 minutes to keep South in touch with Northcote and Hume City in the chase for fifth spot and a place in the finals this season.

South went into Sunday’s game knowing that anything less than a victory would basically end any chance of playing finals in 2012. History also was against South due to the fact that South had never beaten Northcote in their previous five League meetings, with the corresponding fixture last year ending in a 5-0 victory for Northcote. However the motivating factor for Peter Tsolakis’ South side was that three points would move South to within two points of fifth-placed Northcote with two matches to play.

The away side began the game well and enjoyed a period of extended possession but were only able to create one clear-cut chance, when captain Fernando De Moraes blasted over Chris Petropoulos’ bar after being brilliantly set up by Burton’s back-heel. Northcote’s attacking players had been well contained by a South defence led by centre-halves Luke Byles and Shaun Kelly but as the half went on became more and more dangerous. The home side had two great chances to score shortly before the halftime break, firstly when Milos Lujic shot over the crossbar and secondly when Adrian Chiappetta’s flick beat Peter Gavalas but sailed harmlessly over the bar.

South were let off the hook again early in the second half when Alex Rojas blasted over the bar after the defence failed to clear the danger and then on the hour mark Joe Keenan headed a Kristian Konstantinidis goal-bound header off the goal line to keep the score at 0-0. Despite Northcote’s chances, South always looked dangerous on the break and actually put the ball in the back of the net on 65 minutes but had the goal disallowed for offside. Burton’s strike from outside the area could only be parried by Petropoulos into the path of the advancing Brad Norton who slotted past him, however the linesman on the near side had already lifted his flag for offside. Norton had another great chance to put South ahead but was forced to shoot on his non-preferred right foot and shot well over Petropoulos’ goal.

Eventually the away side got the goal it had been craving for and it was a wonderful team goal. Norton put Rhodri Payne through down the left side and the wing-back got past his marker before hitting a wonderful low cross for Burton to flick past Petropoulos. Tsolakis immediately introduced Andy Vlahos to the game and the veteran almost made an impact straight away but he missed a sitter following some great lead-up play by youngster Andrew Cartanos on the right side. Northcote had one final chance for an equalising goal but Gavalas stood firm and earnt only his third clean sheet of the season as South hung on for three valuable points.

The result means that South has moved up to seventh spot, level with sixth-placed Hume City but with a two goal inferior goal difference. South is now just two points behind fifth-placed Northcote but has a two goal better goal difference than Northcote, who have a difficult end to the season with games against Oakleigh Cannons (2nd place) and Green Gully (4th place). South needs to win its final two games of the season against Bentleigh (Sunday 9 September) and Heidelberg (Sunday 16 September) and rely on Northcote and Hume slipping up somewhere in order to jump into fifth spot.

It was bad news for the Under-21s, as South were defeated 3-1 by Northcote City.

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

Goal Scorer:
0-1: Steve Burton (74′)

Northcote City:
Chris PETROPOULOS, Adrian CHIAPPETTA, Paul SAVIO, Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS, Bonel OBRADOVIC (Ricardo GONZALEZ), Dean PIEMONTE, Alex ROJAS, Parys OKAI, Milos LUJIC, James KALIFATIDIS (Michael CATALANO), Hayden D’AGOSTINO

South Melbourne FC: 
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 3. Rhodri PAYNE (14. Andy VLAHOS 78’), 6. Dimi TSIARAS, 7. Joe KEENAN, 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Steve BURTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 15. Fernando DE MORAES (25. Baggio YOUSIF 88’), 19. Shaun KELLY (20. Andrew CARTANOS 46’)

SMFC Man of the Match: Steve Burton
Venue: John Cain Memorial Park
Date: Sunday 26 August 2012

Friday, 24 August 2012 8:43 AM

By John Kyrou

It is do-or-die as South Melbourne FC travel to John Cain Memorial Park to face Northcote City on Sunday afternoon. South simply must defeat Northcote to stand any chance of making the 2012 Victorian Premier League finals.

South go into the game on the back of a heartbreaking 2-1 loss against League leaders Dandenong Thunder at Lakeside Stadium last Sunday evening. Shaun Kelly had given South an early lead but Dandenong scored two second-half goals, including a wonder goal in the 89th minute by Luke Sherbon, to condemn the Blues to its sixth League defeat at home this season. Northcote surprisingly slipped up last Sunday afternoon, coming from a goal down to draw 1-1 against bottom side Heidelberg United at Olympic Park. Those results meant that Northcote dropped to fifth spot on the VPL ladder and are now five points ahead of South with just three rounds to play. This means that South must defeat Northcote on Sunday and then defeat Bentleigh Greens (home) and Heidelberg United (away), as well as rely on slip-ups by Northcote, Hume City and Richmond in order to qualify for the finals series. Whilst the task is difficult, it is still mathematically possible provided three points are won on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday’s match will be made even harder due to the fact that South has not defeated Northcote in five League meetings since Northcote’s promotion to the VPL in 2010, with Northcote winning three games and with two 3-3 draws being played out. In the corresponding meeting between the two sides at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday 8 May 2011, Northcote hammered Eddie Krncevic’s severely undermanned South side 5-0. Ironically in that game, 2012 South players Trent Rixon (3’, 65’, 73’), Jason Trifiro (60’) and Glen Trifiro (88’) were the goal scorers. Earlier on this year on Sunday 3 June 2012, an early second half goal by James Kalifatidis was the difference as Northcote triumphed 1-0 at Lakeside Stadium.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 3:00PM at John Cain Memorial Park.

Last time we met

Monday, 20 August 2012 8:27 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC blew a fantastic opportunity when it lost 2-1 against Victorian Premier League leaders Dandenong Thunder at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. An early second half goal from Matthew Theodore and a killer last minute goal from Luke Sherbon won the game for the Thunder as they came from behind to cancel out Shaun Kelly’s early first half goal. The result extends Dandenong’s lead at the top of the ladder to seven points and leaves South with a massive mountain to climb if it intends to play finals football in 2012.

South needed three points to get to within two points of fifth-placed Northcote City and the Blues made the best start possible by opening the scoring after only five minutes. Fernando De Moraes’ corner was met firmly by Kelly, who headed past Stuart Webster in the Thunder goal. The goal was Kelly’s second goal in consecutive weeks following his first goal for the Club against the Melbourne Knights last weekend. The home side were in complete control in the first half but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard any further following Kelly’s goal. Having kept only two clean sheets all season, South knew that it probably had to score again in the second half to give itself an even better chance of securing the three points.

The Thunder turned the tables in the second half and came out firing. Peter Gavalas made an excellent fingertip save and Rhodri Payne twice had to head the ball off the goal line as the away side crept closer to scoring. They were finally rewarded in the 55th minute when Theodore was allowed far too much space and time down the right hand side and he slotted the ball under the advancing Gavalas. South battled hard to weather a storm from the Thunder in the opening 20 minutes of the second half but eventually got back into the game as it pressed for a much-needed winning goal. Steve Burton wasted a fantastic chance to score when he failed to properly connect when the ball bounced in his path with only Webster to beat. The home side were made to pay the ultimate price with only a minute of normal time remaining when Sherbon won the ball on the left before cutting in and hitting a wonder shot across Gavalas and into the far corner of the goal.

The 2-1 loss leaves South needing to win their final three League games of the season and at the same time hope that other sides slip up in order to play finals football in 2012.

It was a more positive result in the Under-21s as South defeated Dandenong 3-2.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-2 DANDENONG THUNDER (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Shaun Kelly (5′)
1-1: Matthew Theodore (55′)
1-2: Luke Sherbon (89′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 3. Rhodri PAYNE, 6. Dimi TSIARAS (20. Andrew CARTANOS 90’), 7. Joe KEENAN (5. Phil PETRESKI 85’), 11. Bradley NORTON, 12. Steve BURTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 14. Andy VLAHOS (10. Glen TRIFIRO 67’), 15. Fernando DE MORAES, 19. Shaun KELLY

Dandenong Thunder:
Stuart WEBSTER, Andrew MULLET, Bryan BRAN, Shpetim MALA, Shane REXHEPI, Craig ELVIN, Liam KEARNEY, Matthew THEODORE, Iqbal JAWADI, Luke SHERBON, Sean MCILROY. Subs: Zaim ZENELI, Enes SIVIC, Feston AZIZI, Nate FOSTER, Ross THOMPSON

SMFC Man of the Match: Dimi Tsiaras
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 19 August 2012

Thursday, 16 August 2012 2:51 PM

By John Kyrou

In one of the games of the round, South Melbourne FC hosts Victorian Premier League leaders Dandenong Thunder on Sunday afternoon. South cannot afford to lose as it continues to build momentum to reach the top five with under a month to go before the finals series begins.

South go into the game on the back of an entertaining 2-2 draw in the derby against the Melbourne Knights at Somers Street last Sunday. South opened the scoring after only 90 seconds but then allowed Jake Nakic to level before putting the Knights ahead with a wonder goal; however the Blues managed to leave with a point thanks to Shaun Kelly’s 76th minute volley. The result extended South’s unbeaten run to three games and keeps the Club a game behind fifth-placed Bentleigh Greens with only four rounds remaining in the regular season. Dandenong come into Sunday’s game four points clear at the top of the VPL ladder, having disposed of bottom team Heidelberg United 5-0 at George Andrews Reserve last Saturday night. The Thunder has not lost in the League since a 1-0 loss away to the Knights on Sunday 15 July and in their 18 League games this season have scored 41 goals and conceded only 12. This is in contrast to South both scoring and conceding 26 goals in their 18 league matches.

Despite the enormity of the task ahead, South will be boosted with the return of Tom Matthews after the Englishman served his four-game ban following a red card against Green Gully on Sunday 15 July. Youngsters Andrew Cartanos and Phil Petreski will also be available after being in Townsville last weekend for the Victorian Under-19s side. Coach Peter Tsolakis will also return to coach after serving his two-game touchline ban following his send-off against Richmond on Friday 20 July. Unfortunately for the home side, Marinos Gasparis and captain Steven O’Dor will both be missing due to unforeseen circumstances. South can take great heart in the fact that in the last meeting between the two sides (Saturday 26 May) a hugely undermanned Blues side held the Thunder to a 1-1 draw at George Andrews Reserve to become the first team to take points off the Thunder in 2012.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 5:00PM at Lakeside Stadium.

Last time we met