Wednesday, 18 May 2011 12:14 AM
On the thirteenth episode of southRadio in 2011, we review the Round 12 clash against Green Gully, and preview the upcoming game between South Melbourne FC and Springvale White Eagles.
Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for southRadio please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au
Click here to download episode 13 of southRadio (MP3) – Right Click and Save As
Monday, 16 May 2011 10:23 AM
By John Kyrou
South Melbourne FC continued its 25 year winless hoodoo at Green Gully Reserve when it gave away three sloppy goals to lose 3-2 against Green Gully on Saturday afternoon. The loss was South’s second in a row and drops the team out of the top five.
South travelled to Gully boosted by the return of captain Steven O’Dor, centre-half partner Ljubo Milicevic, Jesse Krncevic and Trent Waterson, with Sebastian Petrovic returning from injury to take his place on the substitutes’ bench. Despite this, South still found itself a goal down very early in the match when former South player Hamid Basma scored a scrappy goal following a defensive mix-up. To the away side’s credit, it replied almost straight away when Kyle Joryeff got to Krncevic’s centred ball before goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic and was subsequently tripped by the custodian, resulting in a penalty that Fernando De Moraes had no problem in converting.
The second half started in the exact same fashion as the first, with Gully scoring early before a South equalising goal minutes later. The home side made the score 2-1 through Mile Medjedovic, who pounced on more scrappy South defending, however their lead was only to last around five minutes before Joryeff was again fouled in the penalty area and De Moraes again sent Roganovic the wrong way with the subsequent spot kick.
The game’s defining moment came when a Daniel Vasilevski corner fell to Krncevic who hit a ferocious shot that smashed Roganovic’s crossbar before falling to Milicevic, whose quick shot forced an excellent save from Roganovic. That was the opportunity for South to finally break its Green Gully Reserve hoodoo and take a 2-3 lead, however, it was not to be and there a sense that those two missed opportunities would come back to haunt the away team.
Those concerns were again proven in the 77th minute, when South gave away the ball on the left wing, allowing Gully to regain possession. South goalkeeper Abdelhadi Deroune misjudged the subsequent cross and was left flapping as Matthew Sanders got his head to the ball and guided it into the back of the net, despite Rhodri Payne’s best efforts to clear the ball off the line. In the end, South had shot itself in the foot despite arguably playing its best game of football at Green Gully Reserve since returning to the Victorian Premier League in 2005.
In next week’s round, South Melbourne FC hosts the Springvale White Eagles at John Cain Memorial Park in what is now an absolute must-win match. Kick-off is at 3:00pm next Sunday afternoon.
FINAL SCORE: GREEN GULLY 3-2 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 1-1)
Goal Scorers:
1-0: Hamid Basma (5′)
1-1: Fernando De Moraes (11’pk)
2-1: Mile Medjedovic (53′)
2-2: Fernando De Moraes (58’pk)
3-2: Matthew Sanders (77′)
Green Gully
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC, 2. Daniel JONES, 4. Cameron DRAKE, 7. Jeffrey FLEMING, 8. Jason HAYNE, 9. Brent FISHER, 10. Graham HOCKLESS, 15. Hamid BASMA, 16. Mile MEDJEDOVIC, 17. Andy VARGAS, 19. Johnathon MUNOZ
Subs: 23. Michael O’FARRELL, 6. Michael ANDERSON, 11. Pasquale VIZZARI, 12. Mathew SANDERS, 14. Simon STOREY
South Melbourne FC
1. Abdelhadi DEROUNE, 3. Rhodri PAYNE, 4. Steven O’DOR, 5. Daniel VASILEVSKI, 6. Steven TOPALOVIC, 11. Jesse KRNCEVIC, 13. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 15. Fernando DE MORAES (23. Sebastian PETROVIC 90+1′), 16. Trent WATERSON, 18. Marinos GASPARIS (33. Bobby RUSSELL 76′), 25. Kyle JORYEFF (14. Kamal IBRAHIM 82′)
SMFC Man of the Match: Steven Topalovic
Venue: Green Gully Reserve
Date: Saturday 14 May 2011
Thursday, 12 May 2011 3:46 AM
South Melbourne FC travels to Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon attempting to break a 25 year hoodoo at the ground when it takes on Green Gully.
South heads into the game on the back of two 5-0 defeats in its past three Victorian Premier League matches. The most recent of those heavy defeats was at the hands of Northcote City last Sunday afternoon at John Cain Memorial Park. South was always going to struggle with eight senior players sidelined through injury and suspension. However, despite this, the 5-0 defeat was rightly seen as unacceptable by supporters and coaching staff alike.
In positive news for South, forward Jesse Krncevic and centre-half Ljubo Milicevic should re-join the side for the Gully match as both players have served their suspensions. Kliment Taseski and captain Steven O’Dor are both possibilities to play, however, it is more likely that they will both be given an extra week to recover from their injuries. The return of these key players is crucial as South looks to break a run of three consecutive Victorian Premier League matches without scoring whilst at the same time tightening up a defence that has conceded 10 goals in three matches.
Reigning champions Green Gully have had a very slow first round of matches in 2011. However, in recent weeks the Cavaliers have improved their form and head into Saturday’s clash confident of continuing their recent turn of fortunes. A 0-5 win at Springvale and a 6-0 demolition job on the Victorian Training Centre has seen Green Gully go from just outside the relegation zone to eighth spot on the Victorian Premier League ladder, and only being two wins outside the top five. In the opening round of the season, Gully withstood an hour of pressure from South and conceded only one goal in the process before scoring an opportunistic goal from Brent Fisher to leave John Cain Memorial Park with a point.
It is well known that one of South’s bogey grounds is Green Gully Reserve, a venue that South has not tasted victory in since 8 September 1986, when goals from Bobby Russell and Manny Anezakis gave the away side a 0-2 victory. South has not defeated Green Gully at their venue since returning to the Victorian Premier League in 2005. In fact South has only managed two points from a possible 18. In further bad news, South has only scored twice at Green Gully Reserve since that win in 1986. Those goals were from a Fernando De Moraes penalty and a Gianni De Nittis injury-time volley, which enabled South to share the spoils in a 2-2 draw on 18 April 2009. In the corresponding fixture last season, late goals from Steven Burton and Jason Hayne gave Gully a 2-0 victory against South. It will take a monumental effort from the away side to break this horrible drought against the Cavaliers.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 3:00pm at Green Gully Reserve.
Thursday, 12 May 2011 3:44 AM
On the twelvth episode of southRadio in 2011, we review the Round 11 clash against Northcote City, and preview the upcoming game between South Melbourne FC and Green Gully.
Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for southRadio please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au
Click here to download episode 12 of southRadio (MP3) – Right Click and Save As
Sunday, 8 May 2011 10:02 PM
By Peter Kotsiris and George Triantos
South Melbourne FC suffered a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of its sister club Northcote City in the big Mother’s Day clash at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon.
South Melbourne FC went into the match on the back of an excellent performance against the Dandenong Thunder to ground out a goalless draw given the large number of missing players. This week was no different, with South losing Trent Waterson prior to kick off with an aggravated groin injury, compounding the existing headaches for the South coaching staff that were already reeling with the unavailability of Ljubo Milicevic, Jesse Krncevic, Carl Recchia, Nick Jacobs, Sebastian Petrovic, Kliment Taseski and captain Steven O’Dor.
Northcote City started the better of the two clubs and opened the scoring through captain Trent Rixon in the third minute after the striker was fed a wonderful cross from James Kalifatidis that enabled him to side foot into the net from six yards, giving his side the lead and in the process ending his goal drought which stretched back to Round 4 when he scored a brace against the Richmond Eagles.
Even though South was down a goal early in the match, the away team managed to slowly work their way back into the match and maintain possession through midfield. Subsequently, denying Northcote City any rhythm and fluency to launch any attacks of note. However, the away side could not convert its possession on the score line, and entered the half time break a goal down.
The second half commenced with South determined to pull itself back into the game, as a win would see it take top spot on the Victorian Premier League ladder. However, a goal mouth scramble that nearly saw Northcote double its lead was a sign of things to come for the away side. In the 60th minute Jason Trifiro eventually doubled the home team’s advantage after he converted brilliantly from just inside the box, bending his shot into the near corner after Rixon laid off another Kalifatidis cross.
Things would turn from bad to worse for South with Northcote adding a third goal five minutes later and effectively ending the game as a contest. The goal came from a set piece, with Glen Trifiro’s corner landed at Rixon’s feet and after a goal mouth scramble, the big striker smashed home the rebound into the net from six yards.
The home side went further ahead in the 73rd minute from another set piece. Glen Trifiro’s corner went to the back post for Rixon to loop his header back over Abdelhadi Deroune’s head to make it 4-0.
Northcote City continued to press and was rewarded with their fifth goal of the game two minutes from time after wonderful interplay from the Northcote attackers saw the ball end up with Glen Trifiro, who curled his shot beyond Deroune to round off the scoring.
Earlier in the day, South’s Under 21 side earned a 2-2 draw.
South Melbourne FC’s next match is on Saturday 14th against Green Gully at Green Gully Reserve. The match kicks off at 3pm.
FINAL SCORE: NORTHCOTE CITY 5-0 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 1-0)
Goal Scorers:
1-0: Trent Rixon (3’)
2-0: Jason Trifiro (60’)
3-0: Trent Rixon (65’)
4-0: Trent Rixon (73’)
5-0: Glen Trifiro (88’)
South Melbourne FC
Abdelhadi DEROUNE (GK), Bobby RUSSELL, Jake VANDERMAY, Kyle JORYEFF, Marino GASPARIS, Joshua COLOSIMO, Fernando DE MORAES, Gianni DE NITTIS, Steven TOPOLOVIC, Daniel VASILEVSKI, Rhodri PAYNE
Subs: Zain ZENELLI (GK), Kamal IBRAHIM, Robert NAUMOSKI, Leigh MINOPOULOS, Bradley TRELOAR
Northcote
Chris THEODORIDIS-PETROPOULOS, Hayden D’AGOSTINO, Kristian KONSTANDINIDIS, Paul SAVIO, Nicholas CURTIS, Glen TRIFIRO, Jason TRIFIRO, Samuel TORRENS, Dean PIERMONTE, James KALIFATIDIS, Trent RIXON
Subs: Charles TREACEY (GK), Harry KINIGOPOULOS, Eddie SOARES, Jonathon VOULGARIS
Venue: John Cain Memorial Park
Date: Sunday 8 May 2011
Friday, 6 May 2011 11:04 AM
South Melbourne FC play sister club Northcote City on Sunday afternoon at John Cain Memorial Park in what will no doubt be an exciting match. A win for South will see it keep in touch with League leaders Oakleigh whilst three points for Northcote will see it further consolidate its position in the top five standings.
South goes into Sunday’s match with Jesse Krncevic and Ljubo Milicevic still suspended, whilst there are a host of injuries to key players such as Steven O’Dor, Carl Recchia, Kliment Taseski and Sebastian Petrovic. Despite the fact that half of South’s regular starting eleven were missing from last weekend’s League match against Dandenong, the Club’s young players performed admirably and battled hard for a deserved 0-0 draw against the high-flying Thunder. League debutants Abdelhadi Deroune (goalkeeper) and Jake Vandermey (centre-half) were both very solid, as were Trent Waterson (right back) and Nick Jacobs (forward). The coaching staff will be expecting that if selected, these players can keep up their good form this weekend.
Northcote City will not be an easy side to defeat, as they showed last season by earning a 3-3 draw against South on 13 March before defeating South 3-2 on 6 June. Target man Trent Rixon caused all sorts of problems for South’s defence last season and will no doubt be keen on taking advantage of the fact that several first-choice South defenders will be missing on Sunday. Former South player Nick Curtis has had a solid 2011 with Northcote and will be another player to watch out for, as will James Kalifatidis. Northcote goes into Sunday’s match on a four match unbeaten run in the League in addition to a 2-1 win over Box Hill in the Mirabella Cup on Wednesday night, progressing through to the Fifth Round of that competition.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 15:00. South members are reminded that although the match is being played at John Cain Memorial Park, it is a Northcote City home match and therefore SMFC memberships will not gain entry into the venue.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011 10:59 PM
On the eleventh episode of southRadio in 2011, we review the Round 10 clash against Dandenong Thunder, and preview the upcoming game between South Melbourne FC and Northcote City.
Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for southRadio please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au
Click here to download episode 11 of southRadio (MP3) – Right Click and Save As
Monday, 2 May 2011 10:18 AM
By John Kyrou
A very youthful South Melbourne FC grounded out a 0-0 result against high-flying Dandenong Thunder at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon. The result was excellent for a South side that had as much as half its preferred starting 11 missing through suspension or injury. In fact, South was missing the services of Carl Recchia, Ljubo Milicevic, Steven O’Dor, Sebastian Petrovich, Kliment Taseski, and Jesse Krncevic.
South went into the match on the back of a 5-0 thumping by Hume City in its last Victorian Premier League match the previous Sunday, however, the side had hit winning form by defeating State League 3 side Yarraville Glory 14-0 in the Fourth Round of the Mirabella Cup on Tuesday afternoon. Dandenong entered the match on a two-game unbeaten run in the Victorian Premier League as well as a 2-0 win over South Springvale in the Mirabella Cup Fourth Round, and the Thunder were keen to continue that form.
The away side began the match brightly and had several chances to score in the first half, however debuting South goalkeeper Abdelhadi Deroune commanded his area brilliantly and made several excellent saves. On the one occasion that Deroune was beaten, Steven Topalovic was in the way to make a goal-line clearance and keep the score at 0-0.
In the second half, South went out of its conservative shell and stepped up the tempo in an attempt to snatch an unlikely and surprising three points. Fernando De Moraes had been the stand-in captain and he had a glorious chance to snatch the goal South were after, however he unfortunately skied his shot over the bar. De Moraes almost turned provider a few minutes later when he put Marinos Gasparis into space with a wonderful ball, however, once more the move amounted to nothing on the scoreboard as Gasparis put his shot over the bar. South did not create many chances but the ones that they did create were some of the best of the whole game.
Despite a few nervous moments, the South defence held firm throughout the second half and grounded out a clean sheet largely thanks to the efforts of Deroune, Topalovic and young debutant Jake Vandermey, who had featured in South’s pre-season Cup tournaments before making his League debut against Dandenong. The final 0-0 result was a credit to South’s resilience and even more pleasing was that coach Eddie Krncevic had faith to give game time and valuable senior match experience to young players such as Vandermey, Nick Jacobs, Bobby Russell, Kamal Ibrahim and Leigh Minopoulos.
South Melbourne FC’s next match is on Sunday 8 May against sister club Northcote City. The match kicks off at 15:00 at John Cain Memorial Park.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 0-0 DANDENONG THUNDER (HT: 0-0)
South Melbourne
1. Abdelhadi DEROUNE, 3. Rhodri PAYNE, 5. Daniel VASILEVSKI, 6. Steven TOPALOVIC, 9. Gianni DE NITTIS (25. Kyle JORYEFF 60′), 15. Fernando DE MORAES, 18. Marinos GASPARIS (19. Leigh MINOPOULOS 81′), 16. Trent WATERSON, 17. Jake VANDERMEY, 24. Nick JACOBS, 33. Bobby RUSSELL (14. Kamal IBRAHIM 70′)
Dandenong Thunder
1. Stuart WEBSTER, 2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Ben HARRISON, 5. Steven GRAY, 6. Agim TOMIC, 8. Matthew THEODORE (16. Jarryd BARNES 80′), 9. Veton KORCARI (14. Stephen COOK 60′), 13. Shane REXEPI, 17. Liam KEARNEY, 20. Luke SHERBON, 23. Chris TAYLOR
SMFC Man of the Match: Abdelhadi Deroune
Venue: John Cain Memorial Park
Date: Sunday 1 May 2011
Thursday, 28 April 2011 11:11 PM
South Melbourne FC hosts the Dandenong Thunder at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon to maintain its pursuit for top spot. South currently sit in second place on the Victorian Premier League ladder, trailing the Oakleigh Cannons by only two points. Depending on other results, a win on the weekend could see South reclaim top spot.
South goes into Sunday’s match after a comfortable win over the Yarraville Glory in the Mirabella Cup, which saw the home side trounce the minnows 14-0, which was arguably its biggest victory in recognised League and Cup competition. Five goals to Fernando De Moraes and doubles to Ljubo Milicevic, Nick Jacobs and Gianni De Nittis were some of the highlights in a match that showed a huge contrast in class between the Victorian Premier League and State League 3, even though coach Eddie Krncevic rested many of South’s senior players. It was some solace after a disastrous Round 9 which saw South crash to a 5-0 loss away at Broadmeadows Valley Park to Hume City. South finished the game down to nine men, after Jesse Krncevic and Ljubo Milicevic were both issued with red cards. Both players are suspended and will not be eligible for selection for this fixture. South will be hoping that captain Steven O’Dor will be fit to play on Sunday, with the experienced centre-half limping off injured at halftime during the Richmond match in Round 8.
Dandenong Thunder come into the match with mixed form, having picked up two wins, draw, and loss in its previous four matches. The draw away to Bentleigh Greens saw it surrender top spot. Dandenong started the season strongly, with big wins against the St Albans Saints, Richmond, and Northcote City. The visiting side have the best attack, accumulating 24 goals so far this season, and the best defence only conceding 8 goals. South will need to break down the tight and well disciplined Dandenong defence to have any chance in securing the three points. Dandenong currently sit in fourth position on the ladder and will be keen to reclaim the top spot it previously held.
In the corresponding fixture in 2010, the Dandenong Thunder snatched the three points with a late penalty converted after an alleged handball on defender Steven O’Dor to win 3-2, after South had clawed its way back from being 0-2 down. Sunday’s match kicks off at 3:00pm at John Cain Memorial Park.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011 11:34 PM
By John Kyrou
South Melbourne FC recorded arguably its biggest victory in recognised League and Cup competition when it defeated Yarraville Glory 14-0 in the Fourth Round of the Mirabella Cup on Tuesday afternoon at John Cain Memorial Park. Five goals to Fernando De Moraes and doubles to Ljubo Milicevic, Nick Jacobs and Gianni De Nittis were some of the highlights in a match that showed a huge contrast in class between the Victorian Premier League and State League 3, even though coach Eddie Krncevic rested many of South’s senior players. South is expected to play the winner of the match between South Yarra (Provisional League 1 North/West) and Port Melbourne (State League 1) in the Fifth Round of the competition.
South Melbourne FC resumes Victorian Premier League duties on Sunday afternoon when it entertains League leaders Dandenong Thunder at John Cain Memorial Park. Kick-off is at 15:00.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 14-0 YARRAVILLE GLORY (HT: 4-0)
Goal Scorers:
1-0: Ljubo Milicevic (6′)
2-0: Fernando De Moraes (19′)
3-0: Kyle Joryeff (42′)
4-0: Bobby Russell (45+2′)
5-0: Fernando De Moraes (53′)
6-0: Nick Jacobs (59′)
7-0: Nick Jacobs (63′)
8-0: Fernando De Moraes (70′)
9-0: Fernando De Moraes (71′)
10-0: Gianni De Nittis (75′)
11-0: Gianni De Nittis (76′)
12-0: Fernando De Moraes (83′)
13-0: Ljubo Milicevic (85′)
14-0: Fernando De Moraes (90′)
South Melbourne FC Line-up:
5. Daniel VASILEVSKI, 6. Steven TOPALOVIC (27. Joshua COLOSIMO 72′), 9. Gianni DE NITTIS, 12. Brad TRELOAR, 13. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 15. Fernando DE MORAES, 16. Trent WATERSON, 20. Abdelhadi DEROUNE (1. Stefaan SARDELIC 72′), 25. Kyle JORYEFF (24. Nick JACOBS 56′), 30. Jake VANDERMEY, 33. Bobby RUSSELL (17. Mackie SIMMONS 73′)
SMFC Man of the Match: Fernando De Moraes
Venue: John Cain Memorial Park
Date: Tuesday 26 April 2011