Category: News

Thursday, 30 June 2005 12:47 PM

By Mark van Aken

Derbies between SMFC and the Knights have been the main NSL fare for football fans over two decades. While other sides came and went, the battles between South and the Sunshine club have endured. The sides meet Sunday in the new world of the VPL and nothing less than a win will satisfy either side.

There have been some absolute classics over the years, from sell out crowds of more than 23,000 at Olympic Park for the 1991 Grand Final to the lower attended but no less hotly contested battles of late.

While the Knights glory years of the early to mid 90’s have subsided somewhat in recent times, both fans and players alike look back to those glory days with passion and pride. Despite some classic regular season matches through the years, it is in the post-season that the ‘old firm’ Melbourne derby’s true tales are told.

Olympic Park has been the setting for all but the most recent epics, the first such match being the major Semi-Final of 1984. South would win the day 3-2, but the Knights – better known simply as Melbourne Croatia at the time- would get the chance to exact finals revenge 6 years later. A long time between drinks maybe but that they did get there, edging out their cross-town rivals 7-6 on penalties after drawing the match 1-1. It would begin a period of 8 seasons where the Victorian clubs would face off in the playoffs no less than 6 times. Amazingly, they were drawn against each other in 3 consecutive years between 1989-90 through to 91-92, on each occasion the match was decided by penalties.

The 1990-91 Grand Final stands up as perhaps the most memorable of all clashes. Olympic Park was bursting at the seams with 23,318 fans who witnessed a tight affair, the scores locked at 1-1 after extra time. It would be the Blue and White prevailing in that shoot out and taking the silverware. 12 months later they were at it again, this time it was the Knights victorious 5-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the Major Semi-Final.

The Knights back-to-back national titles in 93/94 and 94/95 each came after finals victories against the Lakesiders. Their first title came after a two-legged playoff that resulted in a 2-1 Knights victory first up and a 2-2 draw in the return leg, both fixtures played out at Olympic Park. Goals flowed in the Preliminary Final of the next season, the Knights again victorious 3-2 on the road to consecutive championships.

The last finals derby between the two was in the 1996/97 season. It was the first and last time that each met in the finals at their own venues. The draw bridge at the fortress that is Sommer Street was down as South struck for a 4-1 win. The return at Bob Jane wasn’t much better for Western Melbourne club, falling 3-0 and 7-1 on aggregate.

Are we in for such classical football on Sunday? Time will tell, but you can be sure Melbourne Knights will be pulling out every stop to take some points from Bob Jane Stadium. If the Knights have any hope of playing finals football they must win.

While the circumstances aren’t so dire for SMFC, coach John Anastasiadis will be expecting nothing less than 3 points to keep the blue and white near the top of the table. Robbie Cattanach, the 20 year old striker joins South from NSW Premier League club Blue Devils this week, and he is itching for a run against the old rivals.

Wednesday, 29 June 2005 1:34 PM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of forward, Robbie Cattanach.

The 20 year old striker joins South from NSW Premier League club Blue Devils, formally known as Belconnen from the ACT. He is a proven goal scorer having scored 13 goals in the NSW top-flight league in 2005, and was the top goal scorer in the National Youth League in season 03/04, scoring 22 goals for Canberra Deakin.

At such a young age, Robbie already has many credits to his name, which include a 5 week trial with Scottish side Partick Thistle FC and being on loan to Sydney FC during their 2005 Oceania World Club Championship Qualifiers in Tahiti.

When asked why he wanted to join South Melbourne, Robbie didn’t hesitate to show his excitement, “South Melbourne is the most famous football club in Australia. I want to be able to look back at my career in years to come and say I’ve played for South and I’ve graced Bob Jane Stadium”.

Robbie has already started training with the rest of the SMFC squad and is keen to make his debut as early as this weekend’s game against South’s long time NSL rivals, the Melbourne Knights. “This is a thrill for me! I have been told about how vocal the Clarendon Corner is and I can’t wait to get out there in front of all the South Melbourne supporters”.

Sunday, 26 June 2005 11:21 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have come away from Paisley Park with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Altona Magic.

An all-round disappointing display saw the visitors comprehensively outplayed for the majority of the encounter with the saving grace for John Anastasiadis’s men being a final 10 minute rush which nearly saw the visitors escape with a draw.

With George Tzirtis absent because of sickness, Arthur Tsirtisakis was drafted into the starting 11 playing in the defensive midfield role. Tsirtsakis aside, Coach Anastasiadis put out a familiar looking line-up. As always Dean Anastasiadis was between the uprights whilst in the centre of defence Steven O’Dor once again partnered Arthur Tsonis with Rama Tavsancioglu and Sammy DeVito playing left and right back respectively. In the centre of the park Kosta Salapasidis was placed in the attacking midfield role with Tsirtsakis placed in front of the back four. Out wide Scot MacNicol took the right wing with Ryan Dinse on the left. The gradually-blossoming striking partnership of Peter Koutsoupias and skipper Vaughn Coveny rounded up South’s starting 11.

On a side note, Vasilios Natsioulas continues to be plagued by glandular fever with his return remaining indefinite whilst Con Blatsis was due to return this week but unfortunately re-aggravated his calf injury during training.

A mere 20 seconds in South should’ve scored. DeVito played a perfectly weighted ball down the right that Koutsoupias latched onto. The powerful striker exploded down the flank and played an inch-perfect low ball across the Altona box taking out the keeper and finding an unmarked Ryan Dinse who from 4 or so yards out and on a very slight angle somehow failed to put the ball into the back of the net. Dinse’s miss was a huge let off for the Magic who would’ve no doubt been shell shocked with a goal so early in the proceedings.

Altona responded with a 3rd minute strike from Cameron Pino which went well over the bar and then a fierce 10th minute angled cracked that sailed narrowly over the left top corner.

Twenty minutes in and Coveny broke down the right flank sending in a decent cross. Salapasidis rose well but was put under just enough pressure to send his header wayward.

Sammy DeVito had been having an impressive game on the right side of defence and his venture forward in the 34th minute nearly saw the young defender open the scoring. A corner from the right was played dangerously close to the Altona keeper with DeVito rising above all but just failing to keep his header down.

With the half nearing an end Altona almost went ahead after O’Dor misjudged a high ball. The Magic broke away with pace with the South defence scurrying back to lay on some pressure. An eventual strike – just outside the box – was had which saw Anastasiadis at full stretch but thankfully for the visitors the shot sailed narrowly past the right upright.

Then with the final kick of the half Altona went ahead. A sweet move saw an Altona player on the edge of the South box chest the ball down to the incoming Kole Delev who produced a stunning first time drive that potentially may have taken a deflection but nonetheless left keeper Anastasiadis with no chance as it flew into the bottom left corner. A brutal blow for South who had slightly edged the first half.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Altona now gradually starting to wrestle control.

Fifty-seven minutes in Altona should’ve doubled their advantage after a quick break down the left produced a dangerous low ball that saw the both sets of players in the box scrambling for position. Altona got to the ball first and produced a sharp first-time-flick on target that unfortunately for the home side was prevented from hitting the back of the net after a fellow Altona player blocked the path of the ball.

Two minutes later the Magic spurned another good chance after a cross from the right saw the South defence again scrambling with Altona managing an angled strike that narrowly missed the bottom right corner with Anastasiadis beaten.

Altona’s sustained period of pressure was finally rewarded in the 63rd minute after a deep cross from the left wasn’t convincingly punched away by a scurrying Anastasiadis. Tavsancioglu tried to head away but only succeeded in placing the ball into the path of the incoming Stiven Mrkela who from 10 yards out but with both a South defender and Anastasiadis on the line still managed to rifle the ball into the roof of the net to give the Magic a cushioned 2-0 lead.

Coach Anastasiadis then sent on the Brazilian import Fernando Moraes looking for an attacking spark and some creativity. Moraes has slowly but surely worked his way into the pace and style of South’s game and was again extremely unfortunate not to have started.

Seventy-eight minutes in and an Altona nearly iced the game after a deflected strike went just wide.

To South’s credit they significantly raised the tempo in the last 10 or so minutes with Moraes continuing to be mobile and assured in his passing and positive movement.

The Albert Park-based club almost pegged one back in the 86th minute after a cross from the left saw South manage a decent header on goal only for the Altona keeper to produce a superb one handed top corner save.

Two minutes later South had a goal dubiously disallowed. A quality ball was whipped in from the right with Koutsoupias escaping his marker and managing to direct a header towards goal. His direct marker got an unfortunate deflection which wrong-footed the keeper and made its way into the net. A tense finish was denied after the linesman raised his flag signalling that Koutsoupias was in an offside position. The South players protested as the call appeared to be extremely tight with first impressions favouring that the goal should’ve stood.

In the 91st minute South finally got on the scoresheet after a superb through ball by Moraes released a South player down the right side of the Altona box. The ball was brilliantly squared with Koutsoupias on hand to calmly slot home.

Saturday, 25 June 2005 2:25 PM

It is with great pleasure that we inform you that the funds required to send Alyssa and her family to the USA for treatment have been raised.

Alyssa and her family will be leaving for the United States as soon as possible, and as a result the Charity Dinner on July 1 has been cancelled.

On behalf of Alyssa’s parents Chris and Julianne, we would like to thank everyone for their contributions, prayers and kind words.

South Melbourne FC would like to wish Alyssa and her family all the best, and we hope to see them back at BJS soon.

Friday, 24 June 2005 3:12 PM

SMFC are pleased to confirm that three of our upcoming matches now have amended kick off times.

Matches against Green Gully, Essendon Royals and Oakleigh Cannons have all been moved from their original 3pm kick offs to 5.15pm.

The club had requested the changes for these, and recent matches. Despite logistical issues making the change for recent home games impossible, SMFC is pleased that the clubs request has been agreed to by both our opponents and the FFV.

SMFC President George Donikian is happy with the changes. “We have listened to our fans and are very excited about the prospect of the Bob Jane terraces filling for what are three very crucial matches.

It is important to note that our club is playing in its first winter competition in nearly two decades and we are very much in unchartered waters.

This move was only possible with the co-operation of our opponents and the FFV and we are thankful for this. It is now up to our fans to reinforce that they are the strongest and most passionate supporters in Australia and get to the game”.

Match Details

ROUND 22 SUNDAY 17 JULY
SMFC VS GREEN GULLY New Kick Off 5.15pm

ROUND 24 SUNDAY 31 JULY
SMFC VS ESSENDON ROYALS New Kick Off 5.15pm

ROUND 18 (Rescheduled) SUNDAY 7 AUGUST
SMFC VS OAKLEIGH CANNONS New Kick Off 5.15pm

Thursday, 23 June 2005 6:45 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

After a week’s hiatus due to the commitments of the VPL state team’s trip to China, Vodafone Premier League action resumes this weekend with South Melbourne making the trip down to Paisley Reserve for a crucial game against the Ken Murphy-coached Altona Magic.

With their past 5 encounters yielding 4 draws and a loss, the Magic have dropped out of the top six in recent weeks and must win if they are to their maintain hopes of competing in September finals action.

Conversely, in the same period, Coach John Anastasiadis’s men have picked up 3 wins and 2 draws to find themselves in clear 2nd place and only 1 point behind ladder leaders Green Gully.

With the season panning out as it has, a win on Saturday will move South into the 37 point bracket which will most probably prove enough to guarantee a spot in the finals.

For the Magic the versatile Cameron Pino has netted six times this season and must be closely monitored. Pino can play as an out-and-out striker, drop in the midfield and has even played defence in the earlier part of his career. Pino has been well supported by the goal-scoring form of Koce Delev who has chipped in with 5 goals.

Altona’s spine consists of experienced former National League players such as ex-Melbourne Knight’s keeper Martin John as well former South players Levent Osman and Marcus Stergiopoulos who form the core of the Magic’s defence and midfield respectively.

In the South camp, goalkeeper Dean Anastasiadis continues to be in superb form. His latest inspirational effort came against Bulleen where his alertness and sharp saves gave South the platform to always be in the game and eventually score the winner.

Con Blatsis continues to have question marks surrounding his fitness with the colossal centre back having not played for almost 6 weeks. In his absence however, Arthur Tsonis has lead the heart of the defence with aplomb with the emergence of youngsters Sammy DeVito and Steven O’Dor and the consistency and sheer passion of Rama Tavsancioglu allowing for South to continue to have the best defence in the league.

Scot MacNicol continues to chip in with vital goals from midfield with the front pairing of Peter Koutsoupias and Vaughn Coveny one of the quickest in the league.

Thursday, 16 June 2005 12:15 PM

If you want to see your team play every week, buy a membership.

Adult $77
Concession 55
Junior FREE
Family $110

Each new adult or concession member can receive their choice of an SMFC cap or t-shirt. While stocks last.

A reminder to all that the Round 20 clash against the Melbourne Knights will be played at 3:15pm and will be a MEMBERS ONLY game.

Click here to download the SMFC 2005 Season Membership Form

Sunday, 12 June 2005 8:22 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have capitalised on Heidelberg’s Friday night loss to Oakleigh – moving into at least 2nd place – after a 93rd minute strike from winger Scot MacNicol gave John Anastasiadis’s men a hard fought yet priceless 3 points against the Bulleen Zebras.

Coach Anastasiadis made two changes to the starting eleven. In came winger Ryan Dinse with skipper Vaughan Coveny completing a remarkable turnaround leading the South attack after playing for New Zealand against the Socceroos in London on Friday and arriving back in Australia early this morning. Relegated to the substitutes bench were the unfortunate George Tzirtis and Brazilian import Fernando Moraes.

The South line-up read as follows. Dean Anastasiadis in goal with central defence seeing youngster Steven O’Dor partner Arthur Tsonis. Sammy DeVito and Rama Tavsancioglu played right and left back respectively. In the defensive midfield position Evan Karavitis again managed to start with Kosta Salapasidis deployed in an attacking midfield role. Scott MacNicol and Ryan Dinse patrolled the right and left wings whilst up front Vaughan Coveny was the target man with the speed of Peter Koutsoupias used off Coveny’s shoulder as a further attacking threat.

South started the game extremely shaky and lacking rhythm. Sensing their opportunity to get ahead early the Zebras nearly went ahead after 9 minutes when a deep cross from the left found the unmarked Ryan Ollerton on the back post. Ollerton directed his header on goal but Anastasiadis read the play superbly, pre-empting where Ollerton was trying to position his effort and as a result comfortably saving.

Two minutes later ex-South favourite Con Boutsianis should’ve put the Zebras ahead after sloppy defending from South saw the enigmatic striker pounce on the loose ball to be through 1-1 with Anastasiadis. Aiming for the far left corner Boutsianis was thwarted by a superb diving save by the South custodian, who again did superbly well to read Boutsianis’s intentions further proving his stance as one of if not the most valuable player in this season’s VPL.

Straight after Boustianis’s miss South quickly countered with Vaughn Coveny latching onto a long ball, skipping past his direct marker and unleashing a rocket-like left foot drive – destined for the top corner – that Bulleen keeper Bojo Jedvdjevic did well to tip over.

The game then experienced a lull in activity with the next significant chance falling the way of Bulleen midfielder Damian Guglielmi who from 25 or so yards out unleashed a stunning left-footed drive that had Anastasiadis at full stretch but thankfully for the home side sailed narrowly wide.

Thirty-nine minutes in South had a legitimate claim for a penalty turned down after a deep ball by Ryan Dinse into the Bulleen box found Koutsoupias 6 or so yards out. The striker used his body well to shield the ball and attempted to get around his man. As he was turning Koutsoupias appeared to be pulled down, but referee Robert Josifoski would have none of it and waved play on.

Bulleen should’ve gone ahead after a series of chances in the 41st minute, with South once again being saved by the heroics of Anastasiadis. The first chance came after an early cross from the right wing seemed to catch out Tsonis who slipped at the vital moment from what seemingly appeared an easy clearance allowing for ex-Green Gully striker Nick Lazarevski to produce a nice shot on the turn that Anastasiadis saved very sharply to his left.

Then from the next passage of play, a deep back post cross from the right evaded the whole South defence with a Bulleen player popping up the last moment to head on target, again Anastasiadis got his angles right and prevented the ball from going in. Finally from the rebound a testing Bulleen shot from just outside the box saw the South custodian manage to parry the danger away.

Just before half time MacNicol made some space for himself down the right wing and produced a stinging cross that Jevdjevic did well to punch away. The ball fell to the incoming Ryan Dinse who couldn’t keep his shot down and blazed over.

Coach Anastasiadis made two changes at half time. Arthur Tsonis appeared to be carrying an injury and made way for Arthur Tsirtsakis. Tsirtsakis went to right back with Tavsancioglu dropping into the centre of defence. The other change saw George Tzirtis replace Karavitis with coach Anastasiadis looking for perhaps more mobility in the centre of the park to help aid the search for the all important goal.

Koutsoupias had been working tirelessly all game and in the 47th minute was presented with a genuine chance to give South the lead. A Salapasidis cross from the left evaded the Bulleen defence with Koutsoupias reading the play well, pushing off his marker at the last moment and at full stretch latching onto the ball with some venom but unfortunately failing to keep it down.

Bulleen then went close in the 55th minute after midfielder Steve Martin produced a decent crack from outside the box that with the aid of a deflection managed to trickle just wide of the left upright with keeper Anastasiadis seemingly beaten.

Sixty-one minutes in Tzirtis played Koutsoupias through down the left hand side of the Bulleen box. Koutsoupias did well to make some space but failed to keep his subsequent shot low, blazing once again over the bar.

A minute later and South should’ve taken the lead. A long ball was played to Koutsoupias deep in the Bullen area. Koutsoupias did superbly well to offer a contest with the ball eventually falling to the incoming Dinse who with only Jevdjevic to beat and with the keeper wrong-footed, sent side-footed shot inches wide of the left upright.

Coach Anastasiadis then sent on Brazilian recruit Fernando Moraes, hoping to get some bite and energy from the centre of the park. Moraes responded looking lively and sharp on the ball. His 72nd free-kick was hit low and well but was easily saved by Jevdjevic. Then 78 minutes in Moraes made some space for himself deep into the Bulleen defensive half. Unfortunately his shot wasn’t on target but the Brazilian was at least starting to provide headaches for the Bulleen defence.

With the game seemingly destined for a draw South nearly snatched it. Coveny broke down the right in the 91st minute and whipped in a quality cross that the buzzing Koutsoupias did well to win. The ex-Whittlesea Stallions front-man directed his header – textbook style – low into the ground and with Jevdjevic clearly beaten a lick of paint denied Koutsoupias his hat-trick of scoring in 1-0 South victories this season.

Many fans had begun leaving the ground when South managed to settle the tie. Moraes broke free in the centre of the park and calmly laid the ball off to Coveny at the top of the Bulleen box. Coveny attempted to place his effort into the bottom corner but his shot was blocked. Fortunately for South the ball was deflected into the path of MacNicol who with still much to do and on a tight angle managed to rip a low, bullet like 93rd minute drive past Jevdjevic and into the bottom right hand corner.

Coach John Anastasiadis was overwhelmed with emotion, running onto the pitch and punching the air. But referee Josifoski had other ideas. The official somehow found 6 minutes of extra time and late in the game gave Bulleen a free-kick just outside the South box in Con Boutsianis territory. The South wall did its job with the Albert Park-based club managing to escape with a vital victory.

Friday, 10 June 2005 12:16 PM

By Mark van Aken

SMFC skipper Vaughan Coveny has made a solid return to international football for New Zealand against Australia this morning at London’s Craven Cottage.

The veteran marksman was a focal point of attack for an All Whites side lacking a handful of its best talent. Despite Coveny’s sides best efforts, their stifling play could not deny Australia a gritty 1-0 win.

While the Socceroos had the better chances in the first half, a dogged Kiwi outfit stretched the Aussie defence on several occasions, including a second half blast from the SMFC stalwart. Although it curved wide of the goal, it had Perugia and Socceroos keeper Zelko Kalac on the back foot.

The second half inclusion of Simon Colosimo proved the difference for Frank Farina’s side. The former SMFC mid fielder scored the matches only goal in the 86th minute, a low range strike from the top of the penalty area finding the back of the Kiwi net.

Coveny received some harsh treatment from Australian captain Craig Moore, but came through the match in one piece and could be back in the blue and white as early as this Sunday’s clash against Bulleen Zebras (3.15pm Kick Off Bob Jane Stadium).

Friday, 10 June 2005 1:15 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

This coming Sunday South Melbourne play their 2nd consecutive home game against the Peter Ollerton coached Bulleen Zebras in a fixture of paramount statistical importance for both sides.

With South a point from top spot and the Zebras only 2 points out of the relegation zone a win for either side could have significant repercussions on both ends of the table.

Bulleen have been ravaged with key player losses throughout their campaign. First goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos joined striker Ricky Diaco in leaving the club after landing A-League contracts, whilst after a few rounds into the season, proven VPL marksman Peter Kakos moved to the Oakleigh Cannons.

In desperate need of turning around their fortunes the Zebras have recently signed ex-South Melbourne journeyman Con Boutsianis. Even though the mercurial midfield/striker has seen better days, his left foot, set-piece ability and football brain will no doubt cause South potential problems.

In the South camp, Vasilios Natsioulas is still sidelined indefinitely. The exciting winger began training last Saturday but at the end of the session his glands continued to swell signalling that his battle with glandula fever is still far from over.

Colossal centre-back Con Blatsis has missed the last 3 games and continues to be battling a niggling calf injury that may very well rule him out again this Sunday.

Furthermore, Captain Vaughn Coveny is unlikely to play as his call-up to the New Zealand national team for the friendly fixture against the Socceroos in London would see the Kiwi stalwart extremely fatigued and hence likely to be rested.

Even though South will be potentially without 3 major players, John Anastasiadis’s footballing nous and sheer judgment has seen the unearthing and emergence of quality youngsters such as Steven O’Dor, Sammy DeVito and Evan Karavitis as well as the flair of Brazilian recruit Fernando Moraes.

Moraes in particular played a full game in last week’s encounter against Frankston scoring a stunning free-kick and showing positive signs after involving himself in many of the home side’s attacking raids.

Having these players at his disposal should allow Anastasiadis to field a strong line-up with the opportunistic finishing ability of pocket-dynamo Peter Koutsoupias likely to get the nod in attack again.