Category: News

Tuesday, 29 March 2005 10:57 AM

By Adam Woolcock

Left without a competitive game by a VPL rest week South Melbourne travelled to coach John Anastasiadis’ former club, Yarraville Glory, for a friendly match. Set against the backdrop of a day long Greek cultural festival at the Glory’s McIvor Reserve South fielded a lineup without several first team regulars, but still proved too strong for their State League Two opponents.

The Glory defence were under siege in the opening minutes, with South getting plenty of practice at set pieces. It was no surprise then that the scoring was opened from a corner. Ryan Dinse headed home in the 5th minute after the Yarraville keeper had tipped the ball onto the crossbar and the defence failed to clear. Sebastian Petrovic added a second in the 16th minute, and new Brazilian signing Fernando Moraes opened his account for the club after a quality move in the 36th.

Halftime score – South Melbourne 3, Yarraville Glory 0

The South coaching staff rung the changes at halftime and introduced Jesse Krncevic, Peter Koutsoupias, Gianni DeNittis and Steve Georgakakis. The Glory took advantage of this mass change of personnel and enjoyed their best spell of the match in the opening minutes of the second half. When they capitalised on a calamitous defensive error in the 50th minute and scored it looked as if they had lifted a notch. South saw the warning signs, though, and raised their game to match the opponents. From then on the match consisted of little more than a training run, with Yarraville rarely troubling the South back line – allowing several defenders to get forward and try to put their names on the scoresheet.

An avalanche of corners and free kicks finally paid off again in the 70th minute when the impressive Petrovic scored his second. A bullet Jesse Krncevic free kick hit the back of the net late in the game but when forced to retake it by the match official he couldn’t match his first strike. South finally rounded off the scoring in the 88th minute when a contentious call by the referees assistant let a clearly offside cross fall to Ryan Dinse and Gianni DeNittis who slid in at the same time, with DeNittis getting the vital last touch.

Fulltime score – South Melbourne 5, Yarraville Glory 1

Starting Lineup: Dimotropoulos (GK), DeVito, Dinse, Petrovic, Coveny, Natsioulas, Tsritsakis, Stefanou, O’Dor, Karavitis, Moraes

Monday, 21 March 2005 3:04 PM

I encourage all South fans to boost the lifeline of the club and decide to become a member.

I also want to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy easter.

You may have noticed on the weekend, officials at the Knight’s Stadium made arrangements to keep rival fans apart. The idea is to keep problems from developing into incidents, which would cripple the code, as it strives to win supporters. In Sydney a few weeks ago, the game was put under great scrutiny because of scenes that were not worthy of 2 powerful clubs with great pride.

Sections of the community have criticised some of our fans, for their antics over the past few weeks. At a time when our code is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, we need to be more aware of the responsibilities that come with being a fan. When we follow our team, we are ambassadors of the club and football.

Let’s chant and sing together with gusto, and leave the rest to another era and another time. Let’s all go forward in the Vodafone Premier League as proud football fans, and let’s make going to the game satisfying for all.

The powers that be have decided on a zero tolerance policy for unbecoming and unruly behaviour, which includes lighting flares and displaying national flags.

All teams strive to win every week, and I think following your side as it makes it’s way through it’s first Premier League season is one of the most satisfying things you can experience, especially if your side is confounding the critics and you are doing well as we are at the moment.

But things can change, just as players stretch themselves to be better and learn from their opponents every week, so must we, who look on from the sidelines.

Let’s show our critics and the community in general that we are smarter, stronger and proud to be South fans. I’m sure the positive feedback will help us prosper and give Johnny’s boys the extra boost they deserve and need as they strive to do us proud on the pitch.

Enjoy the competition against our rivals, after all it’s what playing football is all about, but let’s do it with respect.

Good luck to Johnny’s boys and don’t wait, buy a membership now! The boys deserve it.

George Donikian

Sunday, 20 March 2005 9:48 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have escaped with an extremely fortunate and scrappy 1-1 draw at Knight’s Stadium. But for the heroics of veteran Custodian Dean Anastasiadis – who was inspirational between the South uprights – the Albert Park-based outfit could’ve left Somers St suffering a heavy defeat.

With South forced to reorganise at the back after the suspension of Arthur Tsirtsakis, Steven O’Dor was brought into the centre of defence alongside Con Blatsis, Arthur Tsonis switched to a left back role with Rama Tavsancioglu playing on the right. The rest of the first 11 remained unchanged from the game on Monday against Altona, with Dean Anastasiadis in goal, a midfield consisting of left winger Peter Koutsoupias, Scot MacNicol and Evan Karavitis in the centre with Vasilios Natsioulas on the right. Up front Vaughn Coveny and Kosta Salapasidis were once again handed the reigns of leading the front-line.

The game kicked off with little fanfare, for a game that has been the pinnacle of Melbournian football for decades the atmosphere was somewhat subdued. However, somewhere in between the lack of derby flair, South managed to take the lead. With only 4 minutes played an Arthur Tsonis ball down the left wing found the roving Scot MacNicol who managed to work his way into the Knight’s box with some fancy footwork, from an almost impossible angle, MacNicol somehow managed to nutmeg veteran Knight’s custodian and captain Adrian Cagalj, with Cagalj looking agonisingly on as the ball trickled over the line.

South taking an unlikely early lead was the catalyst for the Knight’s to step up a gear. The chances started to flow with pacy forward Albert Gjuni kicking off the start of the onslaught when he burst past the South defence – down the right hand side – in the 10th minute, worked his way into the South box and unleashed a venomous drive that Anastasiadis did tremendously well to parry and to then gather on the 2nd attempt.

Two minutes later a good cross was whipped in from the left with an unmarked Knight’s player directing his header well but with little power behind the effort, Anastasiadis comfortably gloved.

With 14 minutes played, South hesitated in defence when they should’ve cleared long, the ball fell to a roaming Knight’s player who unleashed a rocket-strike with Anastasiadis managing to save and the South defence eventually clearing.

In between the Knight’s domination South managed to create a decent chance after Evan Karavitis released Vasilios Natsioulas down the right with a quality through ball, Natsioulas produced a stinging 18th minute cross that Cagalj did very well to hold.

The Knight’s quickly resumed their domination after a superb 19th minute piece of individual skill from Tomi Razov nearly lead to the equaliser. Razov received the ball on the right, he worked his way towards the South box, leaving the South defence in his wake with some tricky footwork and with only Anastasiadis to beat, his outside-of-the-foot low placed strike was brilliantly anticipated by the South custodian who was quickly down to glove.

South were further rocked when a 21st minute error by Karavitis saw his mistimed header fall straight to Gjuni who bolted towards the South goal, enter the box, but unfortunately for the home side, Gjuni shot straight at Anastasiadis. Two minutes later Karavitis was booked for a challenge just outside the South defensive area, the resulting free-kick by Ivan Zuvela was hit with good height and power but lacked the necessary accuracy to force Anastasiadis into a save.

Twenty-seven minutes had been played when gritty South midfielder Scot MacNicol’s brilliant reading of the play saw him intercept the ball in the centre of park. MacNicol quickly turned on the pace and looked destined for a 1-on-1 chance with Cagalj only to see his run maliciously stopped by Tommy Milardovic who purposely brought down MacNicol just outside the area. Somehow Milardovic escaped with only a yellow card with the resulting Salapasidis free-kick hit failing to trouble Cagalj.

MacNicol was on the warpath for a double and nearly had his second after a deep 30th minute Salapasidis cross from the right evaded the entire Knight’s defence and fell perfectly to the ex-Brechin player who cracked a thunderous volley – that appeared destined to for the back of the net – straight into the face of an unfortunate Knight’s defender.

Then in the 33rd minute, South colossus Con Blatsis made a quality deep run towards the Knight’s goalmouth, using his close control to evade two defenders, Blatsis unleashed a powerful drive that was deflected just wide of Cagalj’s goal.

The half ended with Knight’s defender Neven Antic going agonisingly close to equalising for the Sunshine-based club. Antic had made a quality 44th minute run down the right, entered the South area and saw his textbook across-the-goalmouth strike go inches wide from the bottom left upright.

After an exciting first half the 2nd stanza didn’t disappoint. The Knight’s were desperate for an equaliser and came close in the 48th minute after a cross from the right was punched away by Anastasiadis only to fall straight to Chris Emsovski who lacked the cool head required to fire home. South countered almost immediately and in the 49th minute Vasilios Natsioulas made a quality right-sided run deep into the Knight’s area. Natsioulas squared the ball past Cagalj but there was a Knight’s player sitting on the line to clear.

Natsioulas was at it again after 56 minutes, his brilliant close control in the centre of the park released Tavsancioglu down the right, the lighting-quick South wingback took a touch, cut inside, and then unleashed a stinging left foot drive that Cagalj tipped over for a corner.

The Knights were unrelenting and in the 60th minute nearly punished South for a poor defensive header. With the headed clearance falling straight to Dario Matkovic, the gutsy Knight’s midfielder from the top of the South box fired straight at Anastasidis.

After distinguishing himself all evening with his brilliant performance in goal, Anastasiadis pulled off another superb save in the 69th minute. This time the South custodian once again denied Razov who had sent an angled, right-sided drive from inside the South area towards the visitor’s goal.

One minute later Anastasiadis was at it again, reacting brilliantly from close range to prevent former South midfielder Alex Kiratzoglou who had positioned himself nicely to meet a quality low centre from the right.

With South hanging on two late chances nearly sealed the tie. In the 87th minute substitute George Tzirtis’s brilliant through-ball released fellow substitute Jesse Krncevic who found himself with only Cagalj to beat. Krncevic tried to place towards the bottom right but Cagalj managed to get the slightest of fingertips onto the ball, deflecting narrowly past the right upright. Then in the direct next play, good work down the right by Salapasidis saw the ball eventually fall to Tzirtis, the South midfielder unleashed a powerful strike straight at Cagalj who had little trouble in fisting away.

Seconds away from the final whistle the Knights were finally rewarded for their general dominance. A Karavitis error in the centre of the park saw the Knight’s midfield quickly seize the ball and release Daniel Rocco down the right. Rocco still had a bit to do but managed to pass his direct man, work his way into the box and send a quality low ball across the South area that Anastasiadis got a hand to, only to see the ball fall to the back post for substitute Andrew Barisic to smash home and electrify the home crowd.

Final Score
Melbourne Knights 1, Barisic 92
South Melbourne 1, MacNicol 4

Venue: Knights Stadium, Sunshine
Attendance about 4000
Referee: Hakan Anaz

Melbourne Knights: (3-5-2) Cagalj (c), Klarica (Gelemanovic 39), Milardovic, Zuvela, Antic, Rocco, Emsovski, Hrvoje Matkovic, Razov (Dario Matkovic 82), Gjuni (Barisic 74), Kiratzoglou. Subs not used: Filipovic (GK), Jurijevic.

South Melbourne: (4-5-1) Dean Anastasiadis, Tavsancioglu (Tzirtis 59), O’Dor, Blatsis, Tsonis, Natsioulas (Krncevic 82), Salapasidis, MacNicol, Karavitis, Koutsoupias (Dinse 74), Coveny (c). Subs not used: Curtis, Dimitropulos (GK).

Cautions: Klarica (MK) 16, Emsovski (MK) 20, Karavitis (SM) 23, Milardovic (MK) 27, Hrvoje Matkovic (MK) 43, Zuvela (MK) 63, Tsonis (SM) 89, Kiratzoglou (MK) 92.

Red Cards: (none)

Friday, 18 March 2005 4:06 PM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of forward Fernando Moraes from Brazil.

Moraes bolsters an SMFC squad that is surprising many in football circles and sits a game clear at the top of the Vodafone Premier League table.

The 25 year old attacking mid fielder, joins South from Brazilian club Palestra Sao Bernado and is set to add some Samba flair to Bob Jane Stadium.

On how and why a player from the world’s most famous football hot bed came to join the blue and white in Australia, Moraes tells an incredible story.

“I saw South Melbourne play in the World Club Championships in Brazil back in 2000 against some of the biggest sides in the world.

From there I always wanted to play for the club”.

SMFC Coach John Anastasiadis was a member of that famous side which played in Rio and inspired his new signing to make the trek across the Pacific.

He is pleased to be adding another string to his mid field bow. “Fernando comes from a place known for its flash and brilliance, and we hope that some of that can be put on show throughout the 2005 season”, says the South boss.

Moraes has been training with the rest of the SMFC squad for a few weeks now and could make his debut as early as this weekend against South’s long time NSL rivals, the Melbourne Knights.

Name: Fernando Moraes
DOB: 21/01/80
Pos: MFD / FWD
Shirt No: 15
Last Club: PSB Palestra Sao Bernado (Brazil)
Nationality: Brazilian
Height: 181cm

Thursday, 17 March 2005 11:37 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

The “Melbourne derby” as the South Melbourne vs. Melbourne Knights rivalry was known back in the days of the NSL may have dropped a level in National prestige, but in raw emotion, tradition and sheer will to win, the rivalry remains as fierce as ever.

South Melbourne has so far handled the drop to the Vodafone Premier League in a manner beyond anybody’s wildest dreams. With 5 consecutive wins racked up, of which 3 have been away from home and an as yet unbeaten start to the season, Coach John Anastasiadis’s chargers have done the legendary blue-and-white shirt extremely proud.

Conversely, the Knights have had a somewhat indifferent start to the season, managing only two wins, with a draw and three losses seeing them with a tally of only 7 points to-date and hence languishing only 1 game clear of the relegation zone. The Knight’s faithful have become disenchanted as pre-season it was mooted that the side had strong claims for a top 4 birth with these claims somewhat backed-up after a crowning 3-0 pre-season victory against South.

Like South, the Knights have had to assemble a squad from scratch that looks nothing like last year’s playing roster. Veteran custodian Adrian Cagalj is a proven shot-stopper and a rock between the uprights, with further NSL experience sprinkled amongst the likes of ex-South Melbourne midfielder Alex Kiratzoglou, and fellow centre players Tomi Razov and Daniel Rocco.

The Knights experienced a severe setback when immensely talented young defender Daniel Piorkowski was snapped up by A-League club the Melbourne Victory, Piorkowski had shown good signs of a successful recovery after a long-term knee injury and will be sorely missed.

Conversely, South’s squad appears to be brimming with confidence with Monday’s 1-0 win against Altona their most dominant display to-date. Arthur Tsirtsakis will miss through suspension after receiving a red card – in Monday’s fixture – for two bookable offences, his replacement is hard to pick though Scot MacNicol has shown this season to be more than capable at right-back with perhaps George Tzirtis or maybe even Ryan Dinse slipping back into the starting 11 allowing for Vasilios Natsioulas to take on a more central role, that said, promising young defender Steven O’Dor is also a chance to get the nod after losing his spot in the starting line-up to injury.

Special note must go out to South’s defence who have been immense all season. Keeper Dean Anastasiadis has regained near career best form, handling everything with assurance and producing the special save when needed. In front of him, the central defensive pairing of Arthur Tsonis and Con Blatsis are without a doubt the most formidable duo in the league. Tsonis has relished the extra responsibility at South and has improved with every game, whilst Blatsis has looked a class above in every game he’s played since his recovery from injury and return from overseas.

Tuesday, 15 March 2005 11:48 AM

South wants every fan to become a member now. Support Johnny’s boys in their first VPL quest.
From February 10th 2005, each new adult or concession member can receive their choice of a SMFC cap or SMFC t-shirt. Hurry while stocks last.

Click here for more details about our membership packages or call the Club on 9645 9797

Monday, 14 March 2005 11:15 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

A wonder-strike from South Melbourne centre-back Arthur Tsonis has steered the home side to a 1-0 victory and helped maintain South’s three point lead atop the Vodafone Premier League.

Coach John Anastasiadis fielded an unchanged line-up from last week’s stirring away result to Oakleigh with Peter Koutsoupias retaining his starting place and Ryan Dinse returning from suspension on the bench.

After a month of playing away from home, South started the game frantically eager to show their home supporters a glimpse of their brilliant away form. As early as the 5th minute a Vasilios Natsioulas corner was driven in low to the top of the box, Koustoupias had found space but unfortunately failed to connect cleanly with his volleyed attempt.

In the 7th minute fearless South right back Arthur Tsirtsakis was cautioned, Tsirtsakis felt hard done by as his tackle – though from behind – appeared to have been timed well and gotten the ball. From the resulting free-kick the Magic tried to catch South custodian Dean Anastasiadis unawares by quickly taking their free but the experienced Anastasiadis sensed the danger and moved quickly to his left managing to glove the attempt.

Then in the 9th minute Koustoupias produced a stinging right-foot cross from the left-wing which found Coveny unmarked in the opposition’s box. Coveny’s glancing header trickled narrowly wide, but truth be said, the South skipper could’ve done better.

With South’s football starting to flow, the ever-improving Natsioulas superbly skinned his direct marker down the right flank, running onto his delicate chip over his opponent to cut inside and pass square to Kosta Salapasidis who with a quick glance up played in the oncoming Koutsoupias, unfortunately for South Koutsoupias slightly hesitated, taking a touch when he perhaps should’ve shot first time, allowing Altona custodian Martin John to close in and apply pressure, the chance was gone.

Only a minute later, a Salapasidis corner found Tsirtsakis unmarked in the heart of the Altona box, Tsirtsakis rose and made quality contact but unfortunately couldn’t direct his header low enough, seeing it fly over the crossbar.

Koustoupias was at it again in the 14th minute, the speedy winger had started the game on fire terrorising the Altona defence with the 14th minute giving South supporters a glimpse of his tremendous pace. Receiving the ball just past the half-way line, Koustoupias nudged it ahead of his direct marker, backed himself for pace and comfortably skinned his man, narrowing in on goal and with only John to beat; Koustoupias unleashed a powerful drive that the ex-Melbourne Knight’s keeper did well to parry.

Confirming their undeniable dominance in the first 20 minutes, Scot MacNicol found the ball in the centre of the park with plenty of time and space. MacNicol spotted the darting right-wing 16th minute run of Natsioulas and played through the South young-gun. Approaching in on goal and again with only John to beat, Natsioulas attempted an outside-of-the-foot finish, aiming for the bottom-left corner but miss-hit his attempt failing to test the Altona keeper.

21 minutes in and South had decent claims for a penalty, with a ball played in from the right, Kiwi striker Vaughn Coveny appeared to have received a nudge whilst position himself for the header, referee Lewis Giuseffi failed to see any contact and waved play on.

With Altona weathering South’s initial onslaught, the game went through a period where both sides attempted to gain dominance. It was South however who created the last noteworthy chance of the first half when exceptional interplay down the right-wing produced a superb 36th minute cross from Salapasidis who managed to pick out an unmarked Coveny, somewhat panicking, or perhaps not expecting the ball to fall his way, the South skipper rushed his effort, hitting a raised side-footed attempt well wide.

Managing to hold onto a 0-0 score at half time, the visitors came out in the second half with renewed vigour. With 51 minutes played a searching ball from the Altona midfield found a player unmarked deep on the right wing, working his way into the box the Altona player cleverly squared for one of his oncoming attackers, just as it appeared that South where about to go behind, a lunging Arthur Tsonis read the situation brilliantly, timing his sliding tackle to perfection and protecting Anastasiadis from having to make a save.

A minute later, referee Giuseffi once again dubiously waved play-on when a Scot MacNicol run deep into the Altona area was upended by a tackle from behind. The South faithful where at a loss to explain Giuseffi’s decision, especially since he was only a handful of yards away and perfectly positioned behind the tackle to make the right call.

With South struggling for inspiration up front, lion-heart defender Arthur Tsonis took matters into his own hands. South had won a 62nd minute free kick just outside the Altona area but on a slight angle. With the usual suspects lining up to take the free-kick, few expected Tsonis to step up but the ex-Whittlesea Stallions centre-back did just that, unleashing a brilliantly placed top right-hand corner finish that had the fully stretched Martin John well beaten and the Clarendon Corner in full voice.

The goal was just the tonic South needed to step up a gear, 65 minutes in a cross from the right found Natsioulas unmarked in the Altona area, instead of shooting, Natsioulas tried to unselfishly centre allowing the Altona defence to adjust and eventually clear. Then on 71 minutes, Koutsoupias lost his marker down the right, sped towards goal, and on a slight angle blazed narrowly over.

South had a scare in the 72nd minute when the Magic whipped in a deadly cross from the left that fell advantageously to one of their players in the home side’s box. Fortunately for the home side Arthur Tsonis once again showed his worth, reading the play well and eventually clearing.

South were searching for the 2nd goal which would confirm the result, it nearly arrived after 75 minutes when Coveny was released in acres of space down the left wing, narrowing in on goal, Coveny tried to open up the angle and aim for the opposite corner, but as he adjusted, the Altona defence managed to recover and smother his shot.

In the 80th minute Tsirstakis was given his marching orders after his shirt pull earned him his second bookable offence and an early shower. It was a setback for South who now had to ride 10 minutes of pressure with a man down.

Altona nearly grabbed a late equaliser when an 87th minute free-kick by Cameron Pino was headed for the top right-hand corner but was brilliantly saved one-handed by a scurrying Dean Anastasiadis at full stretch. It was ultimately a save which preserved the result, a result which was nearly doubled when late on substitute Ryan Dinse produced a tight mazy run in the Altona box and created space for a strike, only to see John react quickly and brilliantly save.

Final Score:
South Melbourne 1, Tsonis 63
Altona Magic 0

Venue: Bob Jane Stadium, Albert Park
Attendance: approx. 3,500
Referee: Lewis Giuseffi.

South Melbourne: (4-4-2) Dean Anastasiadis, Tsirtsakis, Blatsis, Tsonis, Tavsancioglu, MacNicol, Karavitis, Salapasidis (Dinse 67), Koutsoupias,
Natsioulas (Tzirtis 78), Coveny (c) (Krncevic 89) Subs not used: D’Or, Dimitropulos (GK)

Altona Magic: (3-5-2) John, Mrkela, Azzopardi (Delev 46), Bozinovski, Cergovski (Lozanovski 46), Stergiopoulos, Mladenovic (c), Opazo, Pino, Becvinovski, Riddle (Kolevski 79) Subs not used: Dimitrievski, Cvetkovski (GK)

Cautions: Tsirtsakis (SM) 8, Bozinovski (AM) 55, Tsirtsakis (SM) 80
Red Cards: Tsirtsakis (SM) 80

Thursday, 10 March 2005 12:58 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

After a three game hiatus from Bob Jane Stadium South Melbourne returns to familiar surroundings coming up against last season’s runners-up the Altona Magic.

The Magic have started the season in decent form and find themselves nestling near the top in 3rd position.

Conversely, South Melbourne have set the league alight in the opening 5 rounds defying all critics by registering 4 wins – 3 away from home – to comfortably sit atop the Vodafone Premier League on 13 points, 3 points clear of nearest rivals Green Gully.

The Magic have a squad bristling with NSL experience. Former South players Levent Osman, Marcus Stergiopoulos and Goran Lozanovski give Altona a strong defensive and midfield core with goalkeeper Martin John having had extensive NSL experience with the Melbourne Knights. Coached by the vastly experienced Ken Murphy – an assistant at South Melbourne last year – the Magic are a well coached, compact outfit who showed their resilience in last season’s VPL final’s series, surviving 3 consecutive sudden death encounters en route to the grand final.

South are unlikely to make any major changes to the side that defeated Oakleigh, Ryan Dinse will be available once more after serving his suspension, but with Peter Koutsoupias scoring the winner against the Cannons, his inclusion from the start appears doubtful.

One of South Melbourne’s strengths this season has been stability on the selection table, 8 players have featured in every game with Coach John Anastasiadis rightly showing faith in the players who have started the season so brightly. It’s no secret that the team’s defensive strength has provided the bedrock to the positive start with only one goal going past veteran custodian Dean Anastasiadis in the first 5 games.

Defensive colossus Con Blatsis has been superb in his two games thus far, showing remarkable composure and brilliant timing, his experience in Europe has no doubt help mould him into one of, if not the league’s premier defender. Up front Kosta Salapasidis has provided the cutting edge the side desperately needed during pre-season. Salapasidis’s vision, creativity, passing and close ball control have led to a direct involvement in 3 of South’s 5 goals to date.

South will be looking for a strong performance in front of its home fans after a string of impressive results away from home. A good crowd will be expected with a win helping consolidate South’s standing atop the Vodafone Premier League. Conversely, a win for the Magic will go a long way in helping them strengthen their position in the top 3, whilst a draw or loss could see them slide dramatically with 8 teams all within a game of the Ken Murphy-coached outfit.

Tuesday, 8 March 2005 6:19 PM

Congratulations to every one involved in the South Melbourne family.

Just as the players have done us proud and remain unbeaten after 5 rounds of the new competition. So too the travelling fans, who have registered their influence.

SMFC’s fans have proven an inspiration in the opening rounds by lifting the younger players in the squad with their singing and chanting on the terraces.

When the Blue and Whites did battle against some fierce and bruising tackling in the past 3 weeks, at Monterey Reserve in Frankston, at the Veneto Club in Bulleen and again against Oakleigh, last Friday night.

It was the travelling supporters that managed to lift the players when the going got tough. The 3 away games have been a fabulous proving ground for the Club.

We are all learning about our responsiblities, whether it’s in the boardroom, on the terraces or on the pitch.

Bob Jane is the venue this coming holiday Monday night, but it’s important we aren’t on holidays when the Magic come to play.

We need to show Melbourne what a fortress our home ground can be and we need the might of our fan base to flex it’s muscle at our stadium.

You can do it by being the loudest fans in the league and the proudest.

I ask all our fans to make an “extra” effort and become members.

The numbers add to our bottom line and help us to finance the team in it’s quest to capture a title.

We are offering incentives for ALL new members, contact the Club to find out more.

If we can show all and sundry we are making giant strides on and off the pitch, it will hold us in good stead as we re-shape South, into the best run outfit in the VPL.

As a good corporate citizen, we are keen to embark on a campaign to reach out to all the schools in our area, in order to help spread the influence of the world game.

Remember the opposition will test us every week and in every department.

So go South ….and lets be, the best we can be, on and off the pitch.

George Donikian

Saturday, 5 March 2005 1:15 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

Defying even the expectations of the most enthusiastic, South Melbourne have extended their lead atop the Vodafone Premier League to 5 points defeating the Oakleigh Cannons 0-1.

In front of 5,500 spectators, the packed Jack Edwards Reserve laid witness to an epic encounter where mentality and approach played as big a role as quality and skill.

South coach John Anastasiadis made the expected change of Peter Koutsoupias as a direct replacement for the suspended Ryan Dinse. Koutsoupias aside, the team remained unchanged from the game against Bulleen on Monday. The ever-present Dean Anastasiadis lined up in goals, Arthur Tsonis and Con Blatsis formed the heart of the defence with Rama Tavasancioglu and Arthur Tsirtsakis left and right back respectively. In the middle Evan Karavitis partnered Scot Macnicol with Vasilios Natsioulas patrolling the right wing and Koutsoupias the left. Up front the familiar pairing of Kosta Salapasidis – used largely in a free roaming role – and Vaughn Coveny resumed their partnership.

The game commenced with Oakleigh bossing proceedings, whilst they were not all over South, they were knocking the ball around in more dangerous areas and looked more of a threat. As early as the 7th minute, ex-South trialist Nick Marinos was played through, with a defender closing, he took a touch and fired a decent effort – from the edge of the area – on goal, the shot was initially fumbled by Anastasiadis who then did well to recover and smother his body over the ball.

With 12 minutes played a Salapasidis corner was met by a rising Blatsis, who unmarked, misdirected his header. From the resulting play, Oakleigh played a ball forward to the tricky Juan Nilo. Nilo cleverly dummied over the ball, skinning Arthur Tsirtsakis in the process, narrowing in on goal from a tight angle and with only Anastasiadis to beat, Nilo shot agonisingly wide.

The game was beginning to take shape with both sides over their initial nerves. Openings were being created more regularly with an inspirational 17th minute Tsirtsakis run – that saw the South defender enter the Oakleigh area – well cleaned up by Oakleigh custodian Stuart Webster who raced off his line to smother. A minute later ex-South legend Steve Panopoulos saw a well hit low drive well saved by Anastasiadis with a 19th minute Coveny dash down the right wing resulting in the South captain miscuing his eventual attempt and blazing over.

South’s best opportunity of the half fell to the skilful Salapasidis who managed to get onto Koutsoupias’ slight cutback and unleash a well placed 21st minute curler, that Oakleigh keeper Webster did well to read and save easily down to his left.

Panopoulos was doing his best to control the centre of the park and almost stamped his authority on the contest when he unleashed a stinging 30 yard angled effort – in the 36th minute – that looked destined for the top right-hand corner but sailed narrowly wide.

Looking for the killer blow before half time Oakleigh saw a goal disallowed in the 37th minute. Striker Nick Marinos was brilliantly played in behind the South defence, his first touched appeared a good one and with his second he comfortably stroked the ball past the oncoming Anastasiadis. As Oakleigh broke into celebration the goal was disallowed with the linesman signalling that Marinos had controlled the ball with his hand. Nilo then had a 39th minute strike well saved by Anastasiadis with South finishing the half strongly with the slowly gaining in confidence Koutsoupias latching onto a 43rd minute release ball from Salapasidis, Koutsoupias used his immense pace to sprint down the left wing and angle an accurate shot on goal that Webster did well to parry for a corner. From the resulting corner, box mayhem ensued with Salapasidis’s cross finding an Oakleigh player who nearly turned his header into his own net.

The second half commenced with South starting to gain control, George Tzirtis was brought on at half time for Evan Karavitis and was given a nullifying role on Oakleigh striker Ante Pelikan. Oakleigh however nearly went ahead, 52 minutes in diminutive midfielder Tsouramanis made a sharp run into the heart of the South box, skipping past Blatsis Tsouramanis centred, with a simple touch all that was required for the go-ahead goal. Thankfully for South they managed to cover well and just as the Oakleigh frontline was closing in on making contact, South cleared.

South were beginning to threaten with Natsioulas producing a class 57th minute turn on the edge of the area, only for his subsequent shot to go well over. Then a minute later Salapasidis once again released Koutsoupias, his touch was slightly too powerful but the pacy South winger/striker chased down the ball and collided with the Oakleigh defence just as keeper Webster was closing in.

Having been a constant thorn in the Oakleigh defence Salapasidis was inches away from volleying South into a 67th minute lead. Receiving a deep cross from the right, Salapasidis unleashed a side snap-shot that trickled just past the right hand post. Salapasidis was again at the heart of South’s next half-chance. The ex-Parramatta striker sent a 74th minute free kick deep into the Oakleigh area, the ball fell perfectly to Blatsis who completely missed the ball when about to strike.

With Oakleigh having gone cold, Ante Pelikan nearly provided the much needed inspiration, with 78 minutes gone, Pelikan whipped in a flashing cross from the right that evaded the entire South defence and nearly sneaked in on the back post.

South continued to press and appeared to have had their reward when Coveny broke into the Oakleigh area and sharply squared across the Cannon’s goalmouth, keeper Webster got a fingertip to the ball and diverted it straight to Koutsoupias who was on hand to tuck home in the 82nd minute. Delirium broke out with South’s travelling supporters celebrating wildly, unfortunately for South, Koutsoupias’s goal was denied for a sketchy offside.

A draw seemed the likely result until Salapasidis exploded into a left sided run that saw him enter the Oakleigh area and be up-ended as he took his next touch. Referee Domenic Barba pointed to the spot immediately. Captain Coveny stepped up and placed his penalty well to the bottom left only to see the excellent Webster save at full stretch, however thankfully for South, “fox-in-the-box” Koutsoupias was on hand to pounce on the rebound and smash home the decider in the 86th minute.

With a late goal on the board South desperately tried to hang on, Con Blatsis continued to rule over anything that was in the air defensively with the visitors almost managing a second when a cross was dealt with poorly by the Oakleigh backline with the ball eventually falling to Salapasidis who lacked composure on this occasion and blazed over from the edge of the Oakleigh area in the dying minutes.

Referee Barba finally blew the whistle after a good 4-5 minutes of extra time, the South bench immediately broke into cheer and perhaps somewhat symbolically, the players made their way towards the travelling supporters and proceeded to celebrate with their adoring faithful.

Venue: Jack Edwards Reserve, Oakleigh
Crowd: 5,475
Referee: Domenic Barba

Oakleigh Cannons: (4-4-2) Webster, Tolios, Anthopoulos (c), Rosman (Sulemani 88), Kovacic, Poutakidis, Pelikan, Panopoulos, Tzouromanis, Marinos (Daglis 70), Nilo. Subs not used: Latinopoulos, Drossos, Kumar.

South Melbourne: (4-5-1) Dean Anastasiadis, Tsirtsakis, Blatsis, Tsonis, Tavsancioglu, Natsioulas (Krncevic 81), MacNicol (O’Dor 94), Karavitis (Tzirtis 46), Salapasidis, Koutsoupias, Coveny (c). Subs not used: De Nettis, Dimitropulos (GK).

Cautions: Coveny (SM) 25, Poutakidis (OC) 41, Salapasidis (SM) 42, Blatsis (SM) 46, Tzouromanis (OC) 53, Panopoulos (OC) 60, Tolios (OC) 71.

Red Cards: (none)