Category: News

Thursday, 21 September 2006 11:33 AM

On the 17 of September South Melbourne Football Club will embark on an ambitious project when they sent fourteen young men from their Championship winning Super League team on a twelve-day tour of France but this trip is far from being a sightseeing junket. The aim is to give these young men, aged between thirteen and fourteen, a taste of the full-time European football environment and some experience in comparing their skills with their French counterparts. This is the second trip for the group. Last year they had a very successful trip to Italy training at AC Milan and Juventus. They learn a great deal and their technique and ball mastery improved significantly.

Led by South Melbourne coach Jean-Marc Imbert, the young men will play four games against Paris St Germain and the world renowned French academy team at Clairefontaine. Instead of entering one of the many tournaments organised across Europe, South Melbourne Football Club has organised the matches against Paris St Germain and the French Academy at the training venues because they feel that doing so would have a greater overall benefit for the players. Next year, when most of the squad will be in Under 15’s, the intention would be to apply the lesson learnt on the trips to AC Milan, Juventus, Paris St Germain and the French Academy to compete in an European tournament and face the pressure of needing to win every match they played.

The schedule is extremely demanding with players having to train twice a day and play games at night. They will also have the opportunity to visit the stadiums, watch two Ligue 1 games and one UEFA Champion League game. During the week they will also get the opportunity to watch the stars of Paris St Germain and the French Espoir team train. You are welcomed to follow the progress of the touring party by logging on our website.

Wednesday, 20 September 2006 8:58 PM

South Melbourne has featured prominently in the FFV’s yearly gala presentation night that honors the best achieving players in the state.

Veteran custodian Dean Anastasiadis took out the Men’s Goalkeeper of the year award for the second consecutive year whilst female compatriot Afifa Saad took out the women’s award.

Former South youngster Paul Giannou who is now at the VIS took out the Weinstein Medal which honors the best youth player in the state.

Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes came third in the prestigious Gold Medal award no doubt paying the price for his mid-season trial in Greece which saw the Brazilian miss a handful of games. Moraes finished on 23 votes, just four behind Altona marksman Sash Becvinovski.

Courageous South defender and loyal club man Tansel Baser also polled well finishing equal sixth on 19 votes.

The South Melbourne family extends its warmest congratulations to the achievements of these players who with their exploits on the pitch continue the South Melbourne legacy of producing excellence.

Sunday, 10 September 2006 9:47 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

The South Melbourne triumphant spirit has returned in full force. Backed by a Gianni De Nittis double and a superb goal keeping display by veteran custodian Dean Anastasiadis, South Melbourne have reached the 2006 Vodafone Cup grand final, defeating the Altona Magic by 2 goals to one and now sit patiently with a week off to see who there opponents in the final will be.

Coach John Anastasidis sent out an almost exact replica of the team that took the field against Green Gully with the sole change seeing midfielder George Tzirtis come into the starting eleven in place of the injured Con Blatsis.

Tzirtis’s inclusion caused a minor reshuffle with Tansel Baser slotting into a central defensive role and Tzirtis starting on the left of midfield.

The South lineup read as follows. Dean Anastasiadis started in goals. Dino Djulbic and Tansel Baser formed the central defensive pairing with Rama Tavsancioglu and Sammy DeVito playing the right and left back roles respectively. In the centre of the park Antonio Naglieri played in the holding role with Scot MacNicol playing the attacking midfield role. On the flanks Brazilian maestro Fernano Moraes started on the right with George Tzirtis on the left. Up front youngster Gianni De Nittis partnered the diminutive Andreas Oliveira.

South started the encounter brightly when as early as the 2nd minute a free kick from the left made its way dangerously into the heart of the Altona box. Altona custodian Bojo Jevdjevic was all at sea, failing to punch away with the ball eventually falling to the back post, where a South player, not expecting the ball to make its way to him, hesitated with the ball deflecting just over.

South nearly went ahead in the 9th minute after some superb work down the right flank by Moraes saw the Brazilian produce a deep cross that fell to Tzirtis. Tzirtis cut the ball back to the oncoming MacNicol who from just outside the box, unleashed a rising rocket-like effort that narrowly whizzed over the crossbar.

A minute later and a superb ball down the right flank by Baser saw South away again. The eventual low cutback fell to Naglieri who from just inside the box scuffed his shot and failed to test Jevdjevic when his positioning really demanded he at least hit the target.

Altona had their first decent chance after 12 minutes when Pece Cergovski unleashed a decent strike that saw Anastasiadis down at full stretch with the ball trickling just past the upright.

With 25 minutes played South Melbourne almost succumbed to a shocking decision from the Assistant Referee. Two Altona players had strayed a good meter or so offside but the Assistant Referee kept his flag down. Altona broke down the left wing and played a quality ball to the South back post where an Altona player was waiting to smash home. Fortunately for South, DeVito read the situation superbly well and managed to get a foot to the ball lunging at full stretch.

Thirty minutes had been played when South missed a golden opportunity. Moraes had disposed an Altona player in the centre of the park. The Brazilian quickly broke forward and timed his pass perfectly, releasing De Nittis down the left hand side of the Altona box. De Nittis attempted an angled drove with his less preferred left foot with the ball failing to test Jevdjevic and rolling out for a goal kick.

South had a claim for a penalty after 38 minutes when Oliveira was bundled over after an Altona defender had clearly leant on him and put his hand on the striker’s back. Referee Hakan Anaz no doubt felt the contact was minimal and waved play on immediately.

The second half had only just begun when South wasted some superb work by Tavsancioglu. The super quick right back had managed to just keep the ball in down the right flank with his competing Altona player assuming the ball was going out. Tavsancioglu raced to the edge of the box and squared low for De Nittis who from the edge of the area and again on his less preferred left side, struck air.

South continued to apply the majority of the pressure. This time Oliveira produced a good strike from just outside the box in the 60th minute that Jevdjevic looked uncomfortable in punching away. Altona however hadn’t cleared the danger with South playing the ball along the edge of the area with Moraes eventually working some space down the left hand side of the box and firing his angled drive straight into the gloves of Jevdjevic.

Altona then tried to step up a gear. A 69th minute 25 yard pile-driver that was laid off from a free kick saw Anastasiadis firmly behind the ball to glove well down low.

A minute later and South should’ve been behind after static defending and miscommunication saw the league’s top scorer Saso Becvinovski through on goal and with only Anastasiadis to beat. Becvinovski looked certain to score, trying to angle his effort past Anastasiadis but the veteran custodian winded back the years to spread himself superbly and manage to get a deflection on Becvinovski’s effort to see it trickle wide for a corner.

Three minutes later and South were ahead. Naglieri played a brilliant through ball to Oliveira down the right hand side of the Altona box. With much still to do, Oliveira kept his cool and stood on the ball when the Altona defence was expecting a shot. The diminutive striker then cut the ball across goal to the back post where an unmarked Gianni De Nittis was on hand to smash home and give South the advantage.

Altona immediately lifted their intensity and should’ve leveled after 83 minutes when Becvinovski found the ball at his feet with his back to goal, 6 or so yards out. The Altona striker laid it the ball off to the right with the incoming Igor Arsovski denied, again at point blank range, by the brilliant keeping instincts of Anastasiadis.

A minute later and Oliveira almost sealed the encounter in South’s favor after the former Perth SC striker found himself down the left flank with only a defender to beat. Oliveira did well to keep the ball close and create a yard of space with the diminutive striker eventually unleashing a curling effort from 20 yards that had Jevdjevic beaten but sailed narrowly passed the right upright.

On 88 minutes South wrapped up the game after Altona had committed too many players forward searching for an equalizer. Moraes took the ball deep into the Altona half and spotted De Nittis pealing off his marker and all alone in the box. Moraes played De Nittis in, who with immense calmness and composure, calmly slotted past Jevdjevic for his seventh of the season, sending the South faithful into delirium in the process.

To Altona’s credit they didn’t give up, managing to score a consolation goal right on full time after Djulbic had given away a free kick just outside the South box and directly in front of goal. Up stepped ex-Perth Glory midfielder Daniel Vasilevski who produced a truly wonderful free kick, smashing the ball into the top left-hand corner with ferocious power and leaving Anastasiadis with no chance.

Vasilevski’s goal however took little shine off a brilliant day for South Melbourne, who showed their appreciation for their immense support by engaging in an exchange of “oles” and bows with their loyal travelling faithful.

Friday, 8 September 2006 12:18 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne travel to Knights Stadium on Sunday taking on the in-from Altona Magic with a spot in the 2006 Vodafone Cup grand final up for grabs.

Both teams are coming off sterling triumphs in the first round of the finals with South Melbourne leaving it late to sweep past Green Gully by 3 goals to nil, whilst Altona caused quite the upset in defeating minor premiers Oakleigh 0-2.

Altona have had the wood of the South this season managing to win both their regular season encounters against John Anastasiadis’s men.

The Magic are a very disciplined and organized outfit whereby every player knows his role and performs it on a consistent basis.

They also have the added advantage of possessing the best goal scorer in the league in Saso Becvinovski. The Altona striker has been a revelation, scoring 18 goals this season overhauling long-time Premier League top marksman Michael Curcija in the process and building a reputation for superb finishing.

Altona have quality and experience all over the park with goalkeeper Bojo Jevdjevic, defender Levent Osman and winger Daniel Vasilevski all having decent careers in the national league.

Throw into the mix the versatility of brothers Tomi and Ivan Razov as well as experienced premier league players like Alfonso Opazo and there is no doubting Altona’s credentials as a potential finalist this year.

In the South camp, the resounding 3-0 triumph against Green Gully has no doubt revitalized John Anastasiadis’s men who now find themselves in the exact same position they were in last season with two cracks at making the final.

Naturally, South will want to tie up a grand final position as soon as possible and will go into Sunday’s encounter with the added incentive of wanting to show that they are capable of knocking off Vlado Tortevski’s charges who have defeated South 3-1 and 0-1 in their two earlier meetings this campaign.

On the injury front colossal defender Con Blatsis is looking doubtful after succumbing to a leg injury during the game against Gully and having to be substituted.

Blatsis aside every other player who was part of the Gully game will be available with South no doubt likely to switch Tansel Baser to central defence and promote midfield dynamo George Tzirtis to the starting eleven.

On a positive note, young winger Vasilios Natsioulas looks to have resumed light running with giant defender Arthur Tsonis also re-entering the training track for the first time since his knee injury. No doubt with both lads being quite popular around the club they will be an added inspiration to the South Melbourne squad as they go into battle for a place in the final.

Saturday, 2 September 2006 1:21 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have produced a barnstorming finish with Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes the catalyst, dispatching Green Gully 3-0 and securing a place in a semi final next week against either Oakleigh or Altona.

South scored all there goals in the space of ten minutes with Moraes breaking the deadlock with a superlative 82nd minute free kick, substitute George Tzirtis grabbing the decider on the counter attack in the 89th and Andreas Oliveira icing the game with a 91st minute penalty.

After John Anastasiadis’s men had produced a flat performance last Sunday against Ian Dobson’s rejuvenated Gully side, Anastasiadis re-introduced Scot MacNicol, Tansel Baser and Dino Djulbic back into the starting eleven with all players, especially MacNicol producing quality displays.

South lined up as follows. Veteran custodian Dean Anastasiadis began in goals with the central defensive pairing seeing Dino Djulbic partner the colossal Con Blatsis. Youngsters Rama Tavsancioglu and Sammy DeVito played in the right and left-back roles respectively.

In the centre of the park Antonio Naglieri played the holding role with Scot MacNicol given the attacking midfield reigns. Out wide, Fernando Moraes and Tansel Baser played on the right and left flanks with impressive South youngster Gianni DeNittis partnering the diminutive Andreas Oliveira in attack.

South created a good opening early on when after 6 minutes MacNicol squared the ball nicely from the right flank for Naglieri, who from the edge of the box blazed over when he really had enough time to at least hit the target.

A minute later and South nearly paid the ultimate price for defensive naivety, being caught far too up the pitch with Gully youngster Joel Nikolic springing the offside trap and finding himself one-on-one with Anastasiadis. Thankfully for South, Nikolic went for power and narrowly hit his shot over the crossbar.

South should’ve went ahead after 16 minutes when excellent work down the right flank by DeNittis saw the youngster brilliantly pick out Oliveira with a low square ball. Oliveira could’ve turned and shot but chose to lay it off to Moraes who again should’ve shot first time but opted to take a touch, increasing the defensive pressure on him with his eventual shot straight at Gully custodian Pasi Schwalger.

Twenty-four minutes in and MacNicol almost capitalized on defensive miscommunication in the Gully box, nipping in behind two defenders and getting to the bi-line in the 6-yard area, only to hesitate his cross and see the ball roll just over the goal-line.

A deep corner in the 32nd minute from Moraes bypassed all the Gully backline and found the incoming Tavsancioglu on the back-post who for a split second seemed surprised to be found in that position and hence hesitated his shot with his final lunging effort going over the crossbar.

South seemed to have once again fallen into the trap of playing the dominating football but failing to score. This time a brilliant 38th minute free kick from Moraes from the right hand side of the Gully box saw Schwalger superbly save at full stretch and out for a corner with the ball destined for the far left side of the Gully keeper.

The second half began with Gully seemingly happy to soak up pressure and let the game go on as long as possible without a goal being scored. Gully however created a dangerous situation in the 60th minute after a quality ball from the right saw Anastasiadis just manage to get a fist onto the ball, punching away from a Gully player’s feet and seeing the ball deflect off a South player and trickle narrowly past the upright for a corner.

Two minutes later and Oliveira managed to get to the bi-line and send in a quality looping cross that Schwalger couldn’t reach with unfortunately for the home side, no-one on the back post to slam into an empty net.

A minute later and a sharp snap-shot by Oliveira saw Schwalger up the task with the giant Gully keeper producing a good save to his left.

South’s tireless work seemed to be bearing little end product with the home faithful fearing Gully could sneak a goal and comfortably defend it. However, with 82 minutes played the brilliance of Brazilian Moraes came to the fore.

South won a free kick 20 or so yards out. Moraes stepped up and produced a magnificent strike over the wall and into the bottom right-hand corner that left Schwalger with no chance and subsequently sent the South faithful into hysterics.

It was a strike characteristic of the superb season Moraes has had, a season in which his individual abilities have been able to bring precious results to South and in this case, proved to be the catalyst for an unlikely drubbing.

Gully immediately raised their tempo and sent players forward. They began to dominate possession but always looked vulnerable at the back and it was this vulnerability that South exposed brilliantly on 89 minutes. Youngster DeNittis outmuscled his marker in the centre of the park after a defensive clearance and suddenly found himself with only a defender in front of him and Oliveira in acres of space down the right. DeNittis immediately switched to Oliveira who steadied and squared the ball to totally unmarked substitute George Tzirtis, who from 4 yards out, smashed in off the left upright to give South an unassailable 2-0 advantage.

The triumph was completed in the 91st minute after Oliveira was brought down in the Gully box when trying to take on a man. The diminutive striker stepped up and comfortably smashed the ball past Schwalger who dived the opposite way.

Delirium broke out amongst the players and the South faithful with the whole stadium chanting.

South managed to avenge last season’s semi final defeat against Gully as well as overturn a poor performance, against the same opponents, only five days ago.

John Anastasiadis’s men now wait for the winner of Oakleigh and Altona for a chance to play off for a spot in the 2006 Vodafone Cup Grand Final.

Thursday, 31 August 2006 4:37 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

Friday night is do-or-die for John Anastasiadis’s men who lost out on the guaranteed second chance that is afforded with a top-two finish after being convincingly beaten by Ian Dobson’s men 2-0, in last week’s final round of the Vodafone Cup.

Gully’s triumph over South saw the western suburbs based club pull off a remarkable mid-season resurrection which saw their form sky-rocket after the re-appointment of Dobson as head coach, sneaking into the top six after flirting with the relegation zone for much of the season.

South rested a number of player’s from last week’s lineup with Scot MacNicol, Dino Djulbic and Tansel Baser having little or no involvement in the game.

Their absence greatly affected the balance of South who look disorientated and lacking imagination in what proved to be one of, if not their most disappointing performances of the season.

Injury wise, Coach Anastasiadis doesn’t have any new concerns to deal with. Con Blatsis as always must be carefully nursed with the colossal defender coming off at half time last week against Gully, but Blatsis aside all players barring the long term injuries suffered by Arthur Tsonis and Vasilios Natsioulas will be available with youngster Jose Vasquez, who missed last week with groin tightness, possibly available for selection.

Under Dobson Gully have re-discovered their unspectacular yet highly effective organized brand of football, and against South last week, prevented the visitors from creating any notable openings.

The inclusion of youngsters Joel Nikolic and Matthew Sanders in Dobson’s first team plans has seen Gully’s forward line rejuvenated with enthusiasm, pace and hunger to succeed with both youngsters having found the net regularly since Dobson was re-handed the reigns.

Usual suspects Dean Fak, Brandon Vassallo, Jeffrey Fleming, Lubo Lapsanky, Andy Vargas and Dragi Nastevski are littered with experience at Premier League and National League level and have formed the basis of Gully’s success over the last 3-4 years.

All players are extremely familiar with one another’s game, strengths and weaknesses and as a result have allowed Gully to play consistent and efficient football over a long period of time.

In particular under the helm of Dobson, Gully’s defence has been traditionally very hard to break down and when one couples this fact with South’s consistent battle of finding the back of the net regularly, John Anastasiadis’s men will have to be at their best to penetrate Gully’s defensive line.

For the loser the season comes to a disappointing and premature end with the winner, seeing the draw open up dramatically with a preliminary final showing for a spot in the grand final against the winner of the Oakleigh v Altona game.

Monday, 28 August 2006 12:19 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have produced a lackluster performance in going down 2-0 against a determined Green Gully outfit who on the back of this win have now scraped into the 2006 finals series and ironically will again face South Melbourne next week.

John Anastasiadis’s men looked at times disinterested and lacking in enthusiasm with youngsters Matthew Sanders and Serkan Oksuz punishing defensive errors in the 36th and 68th minutes to ensure Green Gully’s 2nd half of the season resurrection under Ian Dobson was completed.

Coach Anastasiadis rested Dino Djulbic, Tansel Baser and Scot MacNicol from the starting lineup. A combination of accumulated yellow cards and wanting to freshen up his players for a finals assault were behind his decision.

South lined up as follows. Veteran Dean Anastasiadis started in between the uprights. Rama Tavsancioglu was moved into central defence partnering Con Blatsis with Sammy DeVito playing left back and George Tzirtis playing in an unfamiliar right back role. In the centre of the park Antonio Naglieri played in the anchor defensive midfield role with youngster Andrew Bourakis playing the more advanced attacking midfield role. Out wide, youngster Nick Curtis and Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes played on the right and flanks respectively. In attack, Coach Anastasiadis showed faith in the emerging combination of Andreas Oliveira and youngster Gianni DeNittis.

South started decently with Moraes blowing a good opening after 6 minutes when DeNittis found himself in some space down the right, cut the ball back to Moraes who took a touch to get passed the Gully defence but from just outside the box, miscued his strike well over the bar.

The visitors nearly went ahead after 28 minutes when DeNittis again did well to spot Oliveira with a quality cutback from the right. The diminutive striker found himself 20 or so yards out and unleashed a quality effort, seeing his strike wickedly deflected and dipping furiously with Green Gully custodian Pasi Schwalger stranded. Unfortunately for South the ball didn’t dip sharply enough and sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Green Gully however had been playing the more fluent and determined football with the home side rewarded on 36 minutes when a well-taken corner from the right wasn’t well dealt with by the South defence, leading to a mini scramble in the 6 yard box. South custodian Anastasiadis seemed to lunge onto the ball and looked set to glove it when the ball slipped out of his grasp and fell into the path of young Gully striker Matthew Sanders who from 2 yards out slammed home to put Dobson’s men ahead.

Two minutes later and Gully should’ve been two ahead after midfielder Andy Vargas broke into the box and unleashed a powerful volley from the edge of the South defensive area that cannoned off the cross bar with Anastasiadis beaten.

South continued to live dangerously in the second half, this time Sanders broke in behind the South defence after Tavsancioglu mistimed a headed clearance. With seemingly only Anastasidis to beat, Sanders took a touch too long with Tavsancioglu quickly recovering and putting enough pressure on the Gully youngster to see the chance blown.

The visitors defence continued to look shaky. This time miscommunication and lack of covering in the backline saw another Gully youngster, Joel Nikolic find some space down the left hand side of the South box. Nikolic tried a “daisy cutter” angled drive that skimmed narrowly past Anastasiadis’s left upright.

Gully got the sealer in the 68th minute after another defensive lapse by the South defence saw a Gully player left alone with only Anastasiadis to beat. The South keeper did well to save the first effort but could do nothing about Gully substitute Serkan Oksuz’s follow up with the ex-Melbourne Knights and Preston striker smashing home from 4 or so yards out.

Two minutes later and Gully winger Jeffrey Fleming came close to adding a third after he broke down the left, made his way into the South box but blazed over.

Coach Anastasiadis had sent on Baser and MacNicol during the second half but their effectiveness was minimal with the South outfit in general looking very tired and lacking freshness.

The way results panned out, South have finished the season in 3rd place and will again face Green Gully in the first round of the finals next Friday night.

John Anastasiadis’s men will have to show an immense improvement if they are to produce the required result against a Gully outfit that seems to be peaking at the right time of the season.

Friday, 25 August 2006 12:49 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

A baptism of fire awaits South Melbourne this Sunday at Green Gully Reserve where the revitalized Gully will be looking to win at all costs in order to scrape into the finals whilst South Melbourne have just as much incentive, needing maximum points to secure second place and guarantee a double chance in the finals.

At one point during the season Green Gully were lingering dangerously near the relegation zone but the return of legendary Gully coach Ian Dobson has seen the Western Suburbs-based club rapidly climb the table to find themselves within two points of playing finals football.

John Anastasiadis’s men are coming off a resounding 5-1 win against the relegated Frankston Pines in what at times seemed like a training run for the Albert Park-based outfit who even in second gear, created chance after chance.

Besides the heavy score line, one immense positive to emerge from the game against Frankston was the superb performance of young striker Gianni DeNittis. DeNittis scored two goals and created another two showing great intelligence and quality finishing.

Even though South is playing away from home, DeNittis’s has no doubt created a selection dilemma for coach Anastasiadis who has favored playing with a sole striker in recent away games.

There is no doubt that diminutive striker Andreas Oliveira struggles to impose his quality when playing in such a system, however, in defense of Anastasiadis, South’s last 3 away games have yielded 2 wins and a draw, with the draw an unfortunate stoppage time equalizer two weeks ago against Bulleen.

Besides the long term injuries to Vasilios Natsioulas and Arthur Tsonis, South have a full quota of players to choose from with defensive colossus Con Blatsis slowly but gradually regaining match fitness and asserting his undoubted quality in the defensive half of the pitch.

Conversely, Green Gully are quite a changed outfit this term with last season’s champions having to blood inexperienced youngsters in Joel Nikolic and Matthew Sanders to lead the attack. Ian Dobson’s men have been repaid for the faith shown with both players netting a healthy 8 and 7 goals respectively.

An ever-present of recent Green Gully outfits has been an experienced spine of players and this season is no different with the likes of goal keeper Pasi Schwalger, Lubo Lapsansky, Dragi Nastevski, Andy Vargas and Brandon Vassallo all playing vital roles in Gully’s plight.

South will have their hands full trying to get the required result but with the support of their traveling faithful and a desperate Gully outfit, the one guarantee is that Sunday’s game is set to be a footballing occasion of the highest order.

Wednesday, 23 August 2006 2:24 PM

SMFC regretfully announces that its telecast provider Setanta, has failed to obtain broadcasting rights for the transmission of the game on Thursday 24th August @ 4:45.

The club WILL NOT be telecasting this game as a result.

The club apologizes to all AEK and Hearts fans for any inconvenience which was caused by factors out of its control.

SMFC Management

Sunday, 20 August 2006 10:59 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

Brazilian maestro Fernando Moraes and exciting youngster Gianni DeNittis have put on a master-class, both scoring doubles in South’s 5-1 demolition of the Frankston Pines and ensuring their relegation – back to State 1 – in the process.

Coach John Anastasiadis sent out a more attacking formation, bringing in DeNittis to lead the attack alongside Oliveira who had spent the last month or so playing a lone hand up front.

Anastasiadis lined his chargers up as follows. Veteran custodian Dean Anastasiadis took up his customary position in between the uprights. Defensively South began with a central pairing of Dino Djulbic and Con Blatsis with Rama Tavsancioglu and Tansel Baser playing in the right and left-back roles respectively.

In the centre of the park Antonio Naglieri played in a more defensive role whilst Scot MacNicol was given license to go forward. Out wide youngster Nick Curtis started on the right flank with Fernando Moraes on the left. Up front rising youngster Gianni DeNittis partnered the diminutive Andreas Oliveira.

South got off to a flying start as early as the 6th minute after a deep corner from the right by Moraes found an unmarked Tavsancioglu who rose superbly well and with perfect technique crashed his angled header in off the right upright and past hapless Frankston custodian Kieran McIvor.

It wasn’t long before the Pines drew level punishing a static South who allowed far too much space and time for Craig Metcalfe to unleash a pile-driving angled strike from 25 yards out that caught Dean Anastasiadis unawares and crashed into the bottom right corner of the net.

The effort stunned the South faithful who over the past three encounters at Bob Jane Stadium have witnessed some superb opposition strikes.

However, the goal sprung South into action with Naglieri testing McIvor in the 16th minute after the South midfielder produced a swirling strike from outside the box that saw McIvor save at full stretch for a corner.

South blew a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the 31st minute when Moraes turned and had a strike from 12 or so yards out with his effort going straight at McIvor who did well to hold onto the ball.

Four minutes later and South blew another golden chance. This time Tavsancioglu had done brilliantly to escape the Franskton defence and create a two-on-one situation. Tavsancioglu played the ball into the path of DeNittis – albeit helped by a deflection off a Frankston defender – who with only McIvor to beat saw the Frankston custodian read his side-foot effort well and subsequently block.

McIvor denied South again on 39 minutes after Moraes found himself with a free header after good work down the right by the home side. Unfortunately for South Moraes headed far to close to McIvor who did well to save. A fraction either side of the Frankston custodian and South would’ve been ahead.

A minute later and Moraes saw a vicious strike smash into an unsuspecting Frankston defender’s back when the ball look headed for the back of the net. It appeared that South were going to have another frustrating night in front of goal.

Just before half time DeNittis put the South faithful at rest with a superbly taken goal. A quality cross was whipped in from the right with the ball bouncing in front of DeNittis. The South striker intelligently attempted a looping header which saw McIvor stranded as he watched the ball cross the line to give South a 42nd minute lead.

South started the 2nd half with a small fright after Anastasiadis misjudged a Frankston through ball and subsequently found himself in “no-mans” land. The South custodian was rounded but thankfully for the home side the covering defence was sufficient in dealing with the threat.

In the 60th minute a poor clearance by the visitors saw MacNicol with heaps of time to unleash an effort from 20 or so yards out. The ex-Brechin player struck a decent effort that forced a superb save from McIvor.

South iced the game in the 70th minute after a breathtaking turn and pass from DeNittis saw the youngster release Moraes one-on-one with McIvor. The Brazilian picked his spot and smashed his effort past the Frankston keeper.

Two minutes later and Moraes repaid DeNittis. The Brazilian floated past a couple of defenders down the left flank and played a low square ball to DeNittis who at full stretch managed to latch onto the effort and smash it past McIvor who had no chance of saving.

Moraes rounded off the scoring in the 88th minute after DeNittis again played the Brazilian through one-on-one with a quality ball. Moraes though still had a bit to do with the Brazilian sensation using his quick feet to wrong foot McIvor, finishing off the move with low and hard effort to the Frankston keeper’s right.