Category: News

Friday, 30 July 2010 11:12 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC hosts its final home match of the season when the side welcomes League leaders Richmond to John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon. South has to once again chase three points to keep hopes of a finals appearance alive, with a draw most likely not being good enough. For the away side, a draw for Richmond will ensure they stay top of the table for another week, with a win potentially extending their lead to six points over Hume City.

South will head into this difficult match confident of a positive result following four points from the previous two matches, including a late equalising goal against second-placed Hume City last Sunday. Whilst disappointed not to get the three points against Hume, South should feel confident that it can perform well against the top teams, especially on the surface at John Cain Memorial Park. On the other hand, Richmond has a psychological advantage over South, having inflicted South’s first loss of the season in the 3-0 win at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on 30 April.

Former South player Jesse Krncevic is one player that the South defenders need to watch out for, with the forward scoring last time against South. Another player to watch out for is Daniel Visevic, who scored the winning goal against Oakleigh last Friday night and who is currently equal fifth in the VPL Golden Boot tally. If these players can be contained then South will give itself the best possible chance of getting the desired result. Goalkeeper Peter Zois will also be determined to keep a clean sheet against his former side.

Steven O’Dor will make his 100th League appearance for South Melbourne FC on Sunday afternoon and he joins captain Rama Tavsancioglu, Fernando De Moraes and Gianni De Nittis as the only players in the current playing list to be part of that exclusive club.

The match kicks off at 3pm on Sunday afternoon and all South Melbourne FC fans are encouraged to attend the final home game of 2010 to lend support to the players as the club pushes for a finals berth.

Last time we met

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 9:49 AM

The dates for the Quarter Finals of the RHB Singapore Cup have been confirmed, with South Melbourne FC due to play Bangkok Glass FC over two legs on Tuesday 5 October and Friday 8 October. Though both matches are to be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium, South Melbourne FC has been designated as the ‘home’ team for the first leg, with Bangkok Glass FC the ‘home’ side for the second leg.

Like South, Bangkok Glass are one of the foreign teams competing in the RHB Singapore Cup in 2010. Bangkok Glass FC is a professional Thailand football club that plays in the Thai Premier League. Despite only being barely four years old (the club was formed in 2006), Bangkok has enjoyed domestic Cup success by winning the Thai Super Cup in 2009 and the Queen’s Cup in 2010. Most worryingly for South, Bangkok were the runners-up in the RHB Singapore Cup last year, losing 1-0 to Geylang United FC, proving that they know what it takes to go the distance in this competition.

By beating Gombak United 2-1 in the preliminary round in May, South Melbourne FC proved to the rest of the clubs in the RHB Singapore Cup that the team is more than capable of performing in Asian competition. Whilst every round gets much tougher, South will take great comfort in the fact that the tie against Bangkok Glass will be played over two legs unlike the Gombak match which was a one-off. This will give the players plenty of time to acclimatise to the humid Singapore conditions as well as two opportunities to overcome their difficult opponents.

South Melbourne FC Football Director Ange Dallas noted that “whilst the matches against Bangkok Glass FC will be extremely difficult, we as a club have proven that we are capable of competing in the RHB Singapore Cup. We are looking at strengthening our squad even more for these important matches, so the onus is on our current playing list to finish the VPL season off strongly to prove to myself and the coaching staff that they deserve to be on the plane to Singapore in October.”

The second leg between South Melbourne FC and Bangkok Glass FC will also be beamed throughout South East Asia.

The winner between South Melbourne FC and Bangkok Glass FC will face the winner of the matches between Kitchee SC and Etoile FC.

RHB Singapore Cup Quarter Final Draw Dates

12 September – Young Lions v Albirex Niigata (Jalan Besar Stadium) – first leg
23 September – Albirex Niigata v Young Lions (Jurong East Stadium) – second leg

27 September – Tampines Rovers v Balestier Khalsa (Tampines Stadium) – first leg
30 September – Balestier Khalsa v Tampines Rovers (Toa Payoh Stadium) – second leg

28 September – Etoile FC v Kitchee SC (Queenstown Stadium) – first leg
01 October – Kitchee SC v Etoile FC (Jalan Besar Stadium) – second leg

05 October – South Melbourne FC v Bangkok Glass FC (Jalan Besar Stadium) – first leg
08 October – Bangkok Glass FC v South Melbourne FC (Jalan Besar Stadium) – second leg *MATCH TELECAST LIVE INTO SOUTH-EAST ASIA

Sunday, 25 July 2010 11:26 PM

By John Kyrou and George Kouroumalis

A late Carl Recchia header ensured that South Melbourne FC shared the spoils in the 2-2 draw with Hume City at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon. Hume remain in second spot and South remains six points clear of the relegation zone, whilst at the same time creeping to within four points of a finals position.

Hume started the match strongly and forward Richard Cardozo had a few early chances to open the scoring. However it was the home side that scored first, when Joe Keenan got past his marker on the left side and from just inside the area fired a wonderful shot across Lou Acevski and into the far top corner of the goal.

The away side were level before halftime following a goalmouth scramble. Despite Peter Zois making a point blank save during the scramble, the ball fell kindly for Cardozo to tap home. Hume could have even had the lead going into the break but hit the post instead of the back of the net.

The second half began like the first half as Hume looked the more likely to score; however it was Zois who again thwarted the chances by the away side. Hume did eventually score with just under twenty minutes to go, when another scramble ended with Cardozo tucking the ball away for his second of the afternoon.

South pressed forward looking for an equaliser and was fortunate not to go further behind with Hume having two opportunities cleared off the goal line. The attacking initiative by South was ultimately rewarded five minutes from the end of the match when Recchia used his head to direct a Daniel Vasilevski shot into the goal at the back post.

South could have stolen the three points right at the death but former player and South legend Tansel Baser got his body in the way and blocked a stringing shot from Vasilevski that looked goal-bound. The final whistle signaled the end of a hard-fought game between two sides that probably both deserved a point for their efforts.

Next Sunday afternoon, South faces another huge test against League leaders Richmond Eagles at John Cain Memorial Park.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 2-2 HUME CITY (HT: 1-1)

South Melbourne
Peter Zois, Steven O’Dor, Daniel Vasilevski, Eddie Cetkin, Joe Keenan (Sebastian Petrovic 74’), Carl Recchia (Marcus Schroen 90’), Gianni De Nittis, Rama Tavsancioglu, Fernando De Moraes, Marinos Gasparis (Jason Ricciuti 76’), James Stefanou
(Scorers: Joe Keenan 30’, Carl Recchia 85’)

Hume City
Lou Acevski, Fabio Dilizia, Serdar Pir, Isiyan Erdogan, Alfonso Opazo (Turhan Sumbul (66’), Richard Cardozo, Zoran Petrevski, Tansel Baser, Dusko Delic (Ross Thompson 58’), Michael Bosevski, Phillip Riccobene (Brendan Beni 82’)
(Scorer: Richard Cardozo 42’, 71’ )

SMFC Man of the Match: Carl Recchia
Venue: John Cain Memorial Park
Date: Sunday 25 July 2010
Crowd: 1,000

Friday, 23 July 2010 2:56 PM

On this week’s episode of southRadio, we review the Round 18 clash between South Melbourne FC and Melbourne Knights at John Cain Reserve, as well as preview the upcoming game between South Melbourne FC and Hume City.

southRadio is proudly brought to you by Homes Now and Monash Hire.

Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for southRadio please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au

Click here to download episode 21 of southRadio (MP3 7.1mb) – Right Click and Save As

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Friday, 23 July 2010 10:08 AM

On Saturday’s episode on SMFC TV, we review and show extended match highlights of the clash at John Cain Memorial Park between South Melbourne FC and Melbourne Knights. Furthermore, we hear from Gianni De Nittis, Captain Rama Tavsancioglu, Peter Zois  and Head Coach Vaughan Coveny as well in the post-match interviews.

The show will also contain a new segment, where John and David will review this week’s action.

SMFC TV

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Every Saturday 10.00am -10.30am

Thursday, 22 July 2010 4:04 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC hosts second-placed Hume City on Sunday afternoon at John Cain Memorial Park in another must-win match for the home side. South currently sits five points out of the top five and with only four games remaining must start to consistently win games in order to challenge for a finals spot.

South will go into the match confident following the hard-fought 3-0 win over the Melbourne Knights last Sunday. Despite the score line making the match sound like a foregone conclusion, South had to work very hard for the victory against a dangerous Knights outfit. The side had Peter Zois to thank for making some outstanding saves to give South a clean sheet and the three points. Gianni De Nittis returned to the goal scoring charts with a double last Sunday and the South forward will be looking to add to his goal tally against Hume on the weekend.

Hume have every reason to be expecting three points on Sunday as the side currently sits in second place on the League standings, having beaten high-flying Oakleigh 3-1 away from home last Friday night. Hume are in exceptional form having won three matches in succession and have the opportunity to reclaim top spot on Sunday with a positive result over South. With Lou Acevski, South legend Tansel Baser, Richard Cardozo and Zoran Petrevski in the Hume line-up, South has alot to worry about.

The last time the two sides met, South stunned Hume and the entire League with a comprehensive 0-6 drubbing of Hume at Broadmeadows Valley Park on ANZAC day this season. De Nittis scored four goals that afternoon and joined an exclusive list of only nine South Melbourne FC players to have scored four goals in a League match throughout the club’s entire history. Whilst the likelihood of a result like that occurring on Sunday is extremely rare, it will certainly give South confidence to know that they can defeat Hume and keep their finals hopes alive.

The match kicks off at 3pm on Sunday afternoon at John Cain Memorial Park.

Last time we met

Thursday, 22 July 2010 3:40 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC vice captain Steven O’Dor will celebrate two milestones in the coming weeks. The centre-half will celebrate 100 overall senior matches for South against Hume City this Sunday, with the milestone taking into account League and RHB Singapore Cup matches. Barring injury and/or suspension, O’Dor will then celebrate 100 League matches with South the following weekend against Richmond.

During South’s National League days, O’Dor played in the club’s Youth teams. Following South’s return to the Victorian Premier League in 2005, then coach John Anastasiadis gave O’Dor his senior debut against Heidelberg United in the first round of the League season on 30 January 2005. O’Dor made a strong impression in his opening season, so much so that he only played three matches in 2006 before going to the Australian Institute of Sport and then A-League franchise New Zealand Knights. This unfortunately meant that the defender missed out on South’s VPL triumph although he was still considered very much a part of the squad.

O’Dor returned to Lakeside Stadium in 2007 but only played for half the season before departing to play professionally for the New Zealand franchise Wellington Phoenix in the A-League. At the conclusion of the 2007/08 A-League season, O’Dor decided that his university studies were more of a priority than playing in the A-League and as a result he returned to Lakeside to continue his career solely with South in the VPL.

In South Melbourne FC’s 50th year in 2009, coach Michael Michalakopoulos appointed O’Dor as joint vice captain along with Vaughan Coveny. O’Dor played in every game and was a key part in helping the club to qualify for the finals for the first time since winning the League in 2006. This season, O’Dor has continued as vice captain and has played in every single League and Cup fixture as well as getting on the score sheet three times.

South Melbourne FC congratulates Steven O’Dor on his upcoming milestone matches for the club and wishes him the very best for the remainder of the season in both the VPL and the RHB Singapore Cup.

Steven O’Dor – SMFC Statistics:

• DOB 28th January 1987
• Debut v Heidelberg United (round 1, 2005 @ Lakeside Stadium, 0-0 draw)
• Squad member of the 2006 VPL championship team
• Member of the 2007 Hellenic Cup championship team
• 2008 Theo Marmaras Medal winner
• 50th match v Oakleigh Cannons (round 17, 2008 @ Lakeside Stadium, 3-1 win)
• Member of the 2009 Hellenic Cup championship team
• Vice Captain in 2009 and 2010

Season Breakdown:

2005 – 17 games (15 starts, 2 subs), 0 goals
2006 – 3 games (3 starts, 0 subs), 0 goals
2007 – 14 games (14 starts, 0 subs), 1 goal
2008 – 23 games (23 starts, 0 subs), 0 goals
2009 – 23 games (23 starts, 0 subs), 1 goal
2010 – 19 games (19 starts, 0 subs), 3 goals*
Total – 99 games (97 starts, 2 subs), 5 goals*

* Includes 1 RHB Singapore Cup match

Sunday, 18 July 2010 7:43 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC has moved to within five points of the top five and sent the Melbourne Knights into the relegation zone following its 3-0 victory at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon. A double from Gianni De Nittis, a tap-in from Marinos Gasparis and superb goalkeeping from Peter Zois led to the victory.

Despite the 3-0 result, the Knights were very competitive in a match that could have been very different had it not been for Zois’ heroics. However it was the home side that opened the scoring five minutes before the break thanks to a wonderfully crafted goal. An excellent long pass from Daniel Vasilevski was controlled well by Gasparis, who then laid the ball off for Gianni De Nittis. The forward hit a stinging shot from outside the area that was too hot for Knights keeper Sebastian Mattei to control, with the ball flying off his hand and into the back of the net.

The second half was similar, with Zois outstanding in goal and with his teammates eventually scoring at the other end. The three points were confirmed in the 74th minute when De Nittis flicked Vasilevski’s near post corner past a stranded Mattei. Three minutes from time South had their third when substitute Sebastian Petrovic’s long ball was collected by Joe Keenan, who fired a low cross for the waiting Gasparis to tap home. Zois summed up the Knights’ miserable day when he parried a shot onto the post with the ball falling perfectly back for him to collect.

South has a difficult match next weekend when the side entertains League leaders Hume City at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday 25 July at 3pm.

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

South Melbourne:
Peter Zois, James Stefanou, Steven O’Dor, Eddie Cetkin, Rama Tavsancioglu, Gianni De Nittis, Daniel Vasilevski (Sebastian Petrovic 81’), Joseph Youssef, Joe Keenan, Marinos Gasparis (Marcus Schroen 90’), Hamid Basma (Jason Ricciuti 74’)
(Scorers: Gianni De Nittis 40’, 74’, Marinos Gasparis 87’)

Melbourne Knights:
Sebastian Mattei, Ryan Filipovic, Ben Surey, Liam Cannell (Anthony Colosimo 63’), Josip Magdic (Tomislav Ples 81’), Ivica Praiz (Jacob Colosimo 75’), Kevin Townson, Adrian Zahra, Thomas Skara, Jean Dubois, Danny Tiatto

SMFC Man of the Match: Peter Zois
Venue: John Cain Memorial Park
Date: Sunday 18 July 2010
Crowd: 600

Friday, 16 July 2010 9:15 AM

On this week’s episode of southRadio, we review the Round 17 clash between South Melbourne FC and Heidelberg United at Olympic Village, as well as preview the upcoming derby between South Melbourne FC and Melbourne Knights. In addition, we look back on the last meeting of the two clubs as well, and reminisce on previous derby matches.

Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for southRadio please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au

Click here to download episode 20 of southRadio (MP3 7.1mb) – Right Click and Save As

Click here to download the show directly from iTunes

Friday, 16 July 2010 9:04 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC faces another derby match on Sunday afternoon when the side meets the Melbourne Knights at John Cain Memorial Park.

South has to win in order to give itself any hope of making the finals in 2010 and at the same time basically confirm safety from relegation. The Knights seriously need the three points to ease relegation fears and steer away from the bottom two sides Sunshine George Cross and Altona Magic.

South go into the game with many problems, with the least of those being the unfortunate 2-0 loss away to Heidelberg last Sunday. The side has been dealt with several injuries, with casualties from Olympic Village being Kyle Joryeff (3 weeks) and Rhodri Payne (2 weeks), plus Fernando De Moraes is unlikely to not return for another fortnight due to a back injury. In yet another blow, Carl Recchia will miss the Knights clash having accumulated five yellow cards which rules him out of Sunday’s match. These losses do however provide an opportunity for Marinos Gasparis, Sebastian Petrovic, Eddie Cetkin and Jason Ricciuti to press for a starting berth.

The Melbourne Knights have also had an inconsistent season and currently sit one point from the relegation zone. Despite their lowly position on the League standings, the Knights have at times been impressive in 2010 and will no doubt provide very tough opposition for South. One player South must watch out for is Danny Tiatto, with the former Socceroo and Melbourne Knights National League championship player returning to his former club this season after a decade in Europe. Tiatto has already stamped his mark in the South-Knights derby, having been sent off in the classic 1994/95 NSL Preliminary Final that the Knights won 3-2. No doubt the experienced veteran will be looking to cause a similar scoreline on Sunday.

Earlier this year, a superb individual goal from Joe Keenan gave South a 0-1 win at Somers Street. In the corresponding fixture in 2009, second half goals from Vaughan Coveny and De Moraes gave South a 2-1 win over the Knights at Lakeside Stadium.

The match kicks off at 3pm on Sunday at John Cain Memorial Park.

Last time we met