Category: News

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

Sunday, 12 August 2012 10:54 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC battled to a 2-2 draw against old rivals Melbourne Knights at Knights Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The result was one that suited neither side, with the Knights needing the three points keep alive their slim finals hopes and with South still sitting a game behind fifth-placed Bentleigh Greens at the conclusion of the round.

South went into the game on the back of a two match winning streak that had lifted it from a potential relegation dogfight into challenging for a spot in the top five. The Melbourne Knights went into the game on the back of a surprise 2-1 loss away against Heidelberg United last Sunday, a result that left the Knights two wins out of the top five. With both sides usually getting a result in their League matches in 2012 (the Knights hadn’t drawn a game all season and South had only drawn three of their 18 games), Sunday’s game was always going to be an attacking game with both sides intent on getting the three points for derby honours as well as putting pressure on the top five standings.

The away side got off to a flying start by opening the scoring after only 90 seconds. Brad Norton won the ball on the halfway line and made a dashing run down the right wing before cutting the ball back for Joe Keenan, who took one touch to set himself up before firing across Aaron Romein and into the far left corner of the goal. South nearly went two goals up when captain Fernando De Moraes was put through on goal but his shot at Romein’s near post was saved comfortably by the Knights goalkeeper. At the other end, Jake Nakic had been causing headaches for the South defence throughout the half and it was he who was on hand to level for the home side, tapping Kayne Vincent’s right-sided cross past Peter Gavalas.

The away side began the second half on a mission to regain the lead but squandered two fantastic chances to do so. The first came when Steve Burton found space down the left wing and used the outside of his right foot to square the ball perfectly for a lurking De Moraes on the penalty spot, however the captain blasted his volley wide of Romein’s goal. Minutes later, Glen Trifiro broke free and streamed forward with Keenan and Andy Vlahos in support. Trifiro fed Keenan through but Keenan was closed down magnificently by the Knights defence as the away side wasted the opportunity. As has been the case all season, the two missed chances came back to haunt South immediately as Rhodri Payne’s scuffed clearance fell perfectly for Nakic to let fly with a vicious shot from near the edge of the box that gave Gavalas no chance.

After working so hard to take the lead, the Knights were dealt with a massive blow only minutes later when a red card was issued to Marijan Cvitkovic for throwing the ball into Payne after a dispute over a throw-in. The decision was extremely harsh for the Knights but a lifeline for South as they chased an equalising goal. South had more luck when man of the match Nakic limped off with about 20 minutes to go with what looked to be a minor knock. With the home side already down to 10 men and with their main man Nakic off injured, the tiring Knights sat back and tried to hit South on the counter-attack, with former South man Yusuf Yusuf using his pace to take on the South defence. South kept the pressure on and eventually won a corner that Kelly smashed home on the volley, after the Knights defence failed to clear De Moraes’ cross. Under-21s player and debutant Baggio Yousif had a wonderful chance to score the winner for South in the third minute of injury time but he blasted well over Romein’s crossbar.

In the end, a draw was a fair result but was one that benefited neither side as the VPL season reaches its concluding month. With four games left, South remain a game from the finals and the Knights remain two games from the top five.

It was another stalemate in the Under-21s as the Melbourne Knights and South drew 1-1.

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

Goal Scorers:
0-1: Joe Keenan (2′)
1-1: Jake Nakic (33′)
2-1: Jake Nakic (55′)
2-2: Shaun Kelly (76′)

Melbourne Knights:
1. Aaron ROMEIN (GK), 2. Adam NAKIC, 4. Adam ZILIC, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 8. Craig SWEENEY (3. Ryan FILIPOVIC 79′), 10. Kayne VINCENT, 11. Anthony COLOSIMO, 12. Shayan ALINEJAD (19. Yusuf YUSUF 65′), 16. Marijan CVITKOVIC (sent off 56′), 23. Jake NAKIC (22. Chris TALAJIC 71′), 24. Ben SUREY

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 3. Rhodri PAYNE, 6. Dimi TSIARAS, 7. Joe KEENAN, 10. Glen TRIFIRO (18. Marinos GASPARIS 80′), 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Steve BURTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 14. Andy VLAHOS, 15. Fernando DE MORAES (16. Baggio YOUSIF 88′), 19. Shaun KELLY

SMFC Man of the Match: Shaun Kelly
Venue: Knights Stadium
Date: Sunday 12 August 2012

Thursday, 9 August 2012 1:02 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC travels to Somers Street on Sunday afternoon to face the Melbourne Knights in the second derby match between the two sides in 2012.

South goes into the game on the back of a two-game winning streak, having defeated Southern Stars and Hume City in the past fortnight. The Melbourne Knights head into the derby on the back of a surprise 2-1 defeat away against cellar dwellers Heidelberg United at Olympic Park last Sunday. The Knights have been the only side to have lost to Heidelberg in the Victorian Premier League this season and have lost both meetings. Despite this upset, the Knights will be confident of defeating South on Sunday as they defeated the Blues earlier this season (Sunday 20 May) at Lakeside Stadium 2-1. Adam Zilic (40’) and Jacob Colosimo (70’) were on hand to score both goals for the Knights as South could only manage a single goal courtesy of a header from Bradley Norton (58’).

South will be missing youngsters Phil Petreski and Andrew Cartanos as both boys have been selected as part of the Victorian Schoolboys Under-19s side to play in Canberra. Also missing will be Nick Jacobs, the young hero against Southern Stars, having tragically broken his ankle playing football for his high school Brighton Grammar last weekend. It is expected that South will field a similar line-up to the one that defeated Hume City at Lakeside last Sunday evening but the coaching staff may choose to include Glen Trifiro or Joe Keenan in the starting eleven.

Sunday’s derby kicks off at 3:00PM at Knights Stadium. A win for South could see the Club finish the round level on points with fifth-placed Bentleigh Greens.

Last time we met

Wednesday, 8 August 2012 9:42 AM

South Melbourne FC have been rocked by the news that youngster Nick Jacobs has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2012 season with a broken ankle.

The 17 year old forced his way into the senior line-up in the match against Southern Stars on Saturday 28 July and became a hero when he headed home Phil Petreski’s cross in the 94th minute to win the game for South 3-2.

It is expected he will be out of action for up to six months but with a bit of luck he will hopefully be available for the opening round of the 2013 Victorian Premier League season.

We wish Nick all the best in recovering from such a horrific injury and hope to see him in a South shirt early next year.