Category: News

Friday, 9 January 2004 12:00 AM

The Australian Soccer legend that is Paul Trimboli is set to reach new heights on Sunday when he becomes the second highest games player in National League history.

South Melbourne takes on Sydney United on Sunday night at Bob Jane Stadium when Trimboli is expected to play his 446th senior match. Trimboli has played 424 of these games with South and the remaining 22 with Sunshine George Cross.

Trimboli’s record is simply outstanding and includes the following highlights

· 1988 and 1989 National Under 21 Player of the Year
· 1992/93 & ‘97/98 NSL Player of the Year
· Member of South Melbourne Soccer Club Team of the Century
· Youngest player to reach 300 and 400 senior NSL games
· Represented Australia on 46 occasions including 39 “A” grade games
· Captained South Melbourne for seasons 1995-2003
· Member of South Championship teams of 1990/91 and 1997/98, 1998/99
· Won South’s best & fairest 6 times

“This is a special day for the club and even more special for Paul, we are encouraging our fans to come and celebrate this enormous achievement on Sunday” said CEO Mark Patterson.

Fans will also be invited to attend a special function the following week to celebrate with Paul and his friends at the club. The night will include a roast from a special panel, music, and celebration.

This week’s match also promises more celebration with skipper Vaughan Coveny sitting on 99 national league goals.

TOP THREE NSL APPEARANCE MAKERS
518 Alex Tobin*
445 Sergio Melta
445 Paul Trimboli*

Thursday, 8 January 2004 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

This Sunday’s encounter looms as an extremely important fixture for both Sydney United and the home side South Melbourne.

With South having opened up a 4 point lead atop the NSL just 3 weeks ago, Stuart Munro’s men looked in a great position to comfortably make the finals. Two narrow successive losses to the Wollongong Wolves and the Brisbane Strikers have put South in a somewhat uncomfortable 3rd position with the teams behind them having games in hand.

Sydney United may have the league’s best defence – having only conceded an astonishing 7 goals thus far (though midweek the United defence leaked 5 against the Power) – however, their lack of productivity in front of goals sees them clinging on the edge of the final’s race in 6th position.

Rookie NSL Coach Grant Lee has managed to form a very competitive unit with a defensive emphasis on – like many clubs in the NSL this season – a very low budget. Makeshift defender Damon Collina has done a superb job linking with experienced NSL campaigners Mark Rudan and Joe Vrkic to form the league’s best defence. United’s defensive strength was also boosted pre-season with the acquisition of ex-Parramatta Power custodian Liam Reddy who has re-affirmed the belief that he is one the best young keepers in the country with a great start to his career as a “Braveheart”.

The nippy roaming presence of influential midfielder Anthony Doumanis is always a concern for the opposition as is the sheer pace and acceleration that forward Zeljko Babic brings to the line-up. Babic has been vastly out of form this season having only scored once, however, this fact alone should make the South defence weary as Babic’s immense work rate always presents a danger to the opposition.

Conversely, South will be hoping that Marcus Stergiopoulos pulls up fit after missing the past two encounters with an injured ankle. Stergiopoulos’s presence has been vastly missed as his holding role in front of the defence has been of great importance in South’s tremendous first half of the season. Furthermore the late withdrawal – to injury – of left wingback Sam Poutakidis in last week’s encounter against the Strikers also saw South loose one of their most consistent performers to date. The South faithful and coaching staff will be hoping that Poutakidis returns as soon as possible.

South’s squad depth is well known across the league and the challenge will once again be left up to Coach Munro to find his best 11. With a vast array of experienced campaigners and talented youth players at his disposal, it shall be interesting to see if the former Glasgow Rangers stalwart can find the right mix.

Thursday, 8 January 2004 12:00 AM

South Melbourne today clarified its application to be part of the Victorian Premier League.

“Our move is a strategic option that may also enable us to play our Youth players in Victoria’s premier competition as part of a career path strategy and one that supports local soccer” said Club CEO Mark Patterson.

“I do not want this application to be perceived as showing any lack of confidence in our success to be part of the new National competition. On the contrary said Patterson today “We are of the view that our National application will be successful and that we will be a strong and valuable asset to the new league” he said.

What South Melbourne can also do is help strengthen Victorian soccer by adding its brand and its players to the local competition that provides young players with an opportunity to develop their careers.

“I see this as a real test for the ability of the Victorian soccer administrators to see a vision for the future and to look at the positives that the changes to the national competition can have locally. South Melbourne’s participation can indicate how a National club can assist to lift the profile and credibility of the local game,” said Patterson. “This also creates an opportunity for South Melbourne to provide a 12 month on-field operation that will benefit our commercial and player development operations,” added Patterson.

South Melbourne sees its role as broader than just a National club and believes it can offer strength within Victoria both on-field and in terms of promoting the game within the wider community as well” Patterson went onto say.

This Premier League move is just as much about South Melbourne wanting to continue to be a proactive participant at all levels of soccer as it is about protecting any potential National position whilst it continues to assist game development in Victoria.

Monday, 5 January 2004 12:00 AM

The South Melbourne Soccer Club in conjunction with Advanced Keeping will be running a goal keeping clinic that will provide participants with the most professional and experienced goalkeeping coaching Australia has to offer.

The clinic will be run over two days and will cover every aspect of top level goalkeeping. South’s own goalkeeping coach, Lou Petrou, who has had experience with Parma, Empoli, AC Milan and Inter Milan will be running the day. By his side will be South keepers Michael Theoklitos and Dean Anistasiadis, ex-Carlton footballer Glenn Manton and the Matilda’s goalkeeper, Melissa Barbierie.

Open to girls and boys of all ages, the clinic will be conducted on Wednesday 21st January and Thursday 22nd January between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

This clinic is an opportunity to be coached by Australia’s premier goalkeepers and is a must for all aspiring young goalies!

Click here to download the PDF Order Form (You will need Adobe Reader installed to view the document)

For more information and bookings, please contact Anthony at the South Melbourne Soccer Club on 9645 9797.

Saturday, 3 January 2004 12:00 AM

A LATE header from skipper Peter Grierson kept Brisbane Strikers in the national soccer league finals hunt with an upset 1-0 win against a 10-man South Melbourne at Perry Park tonight.

Grierson’s first goal of the season came in the 79th minute when he smashed a header from a Louis Brain corner to break the deadlock against the league leaders.

The Strikers’ victory maintained their proud unbeaten home record in front of the biggest Perry Park crowd of 3,417 this season and completed the double after beating Souths 1-0 in the first round.

Grierson has been the unsung hero for the Strikers this season with consistent displays as the general in midfield.

South Melbourne, under strong pressure at the top of the table from Perth Gory, showed their class at times but the Strikers’ defence remain rock solid throughout.

South Melbourne clearly dominated a controversial opening half until it lost central defender Steve Laurie who was sent off in the 33rd minute.

Laurie was spotted by Brisbane referee Mark Shield retaliating in back play after a tackle from Strikers dynamo Brain.

Laurie pushed Brain with two hands but instead of receiving a caution was immediately shown the red card.

Shield later infuriated South Melbourne when Strikers’ defender Karl Dodd only received a yellow card after a deliberate hand ball.

South Melbourne’s lethal frontman Michael Curcija had only Dodd to round as the last man in defence before firing in a shot when the rangy Brisbane defender clearly punched the ball from Curcija’s reach.

Curcija showed the visitors were not playing for a draw away from home when he struck a shot just wide of the upright after only five minutes.

Defender Scott Tunbridge gave the visitors another chance in the 13th minute heading an opportunity wide before Brisbane’s Royce Brownlie almost gave the home side a surprise lead midway through the opening period.

Brownlie rose high to head a cross from Brain into the ground and over the cross bar with South’s keeper Eugene Galekovic well beaten.

Galekovic later made amends when he pulled off a finger tip save with his outstretched hand to deny Josh Rose a lifting volley from 25 metres in the 65th minute.

AAP

Thursday, 1 January 2004 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

Saturday’s game at Perry Park presents both the visiting South Melbourne and the hosting Brisbane Strikers with a great opportunity to re-consolidate their positions in the top six.

The Strikers were last week dealt a 6-1 thumping at the hands of the Champions Perth Glory in the first match played at the newly re-developed Members Equity Stadium. Conversely, South were desperately unlucky to go down by a 2-3 score-line at the hands of the Wollongong Wolves who rode their luck for most of the encounter and then managed to snatch victory right at the death.

Stuart Munro’s men will be keen to avenge their 4th round loss to the Strikers at the beginning of the current season. That day saw the Queensland-based club play an astute tactical game that saw a lone goal by midfielder Louis Brain prove to be enough for Stuart McLaren’s men to snatch all three points at Bob Jane Stadium.

Brisbane player/coach McLaren has done a superb job in getting one of the critic’s “supposed” cellar-dwellers into a strong position to push for finals football. Brisbane has been dealt quite a blow in that gun wingback Shane Stefanutto has signed a contract with Swiss club Lillestrom. Stefanutto has been ever-present down the right side for the Strikers and will no doubt be sorely missed. However, the Strikers possess dangerous players in David Pilic, Louis Brain and powerhouse forward Royce Brownlie. Brisbane custodian Jason Kearton has continued to provide stability between the goals and in youngster Luke Morley, the Strikers possess one of the country’s up-and-coming talents. Throw in the hard-nosed defensive play of McLaren and the Strikers possess all the ingredients of a hard-working unit that plays together and for each other.

Conversely, Munro’s squad is brimming with depth, Marcus Stergiopoulos who was absent against the Wolves due to injury again finds himself with a question mark over his participation after struggling to overcome an ankle complaint. The doubt of Stergiopoulos aside, Coach Munro has a virtual full squad to choose from. With players of the calibre of Michael Panopoulos, Con Boutsianis, Vaughn Coveny, Michael Curcija, Scott Tunbridge and Massimmo Murdocca, it is clear that when South Melbourne attack a plethora of options exist and goals can be scored from a variety of sources.

Selection headaches are a pleasant problem when the team in going well and Munro will have plenty of them when deciding on his final squad to make the trip to Perry Park.

Sunday, 28 December 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne has been dealt a blow in an astonishing game at Bob Jane Stadium. South dominated possession, produced countless chances and twice levelled, only to see any hope of a positive result dashed when substitute striker Tanju Balabanel steered home a deflected shot past South keeper Eugene Galekovic in the dying minutes of the game to send the Wolves back to NSW with an invaluable 2-3 victory.

The home side were quickly stung into action after the Wolves had taken the lead in the 11th minute via an exquisitely placed set piece by Nahuel Arrarte, South had given away a free kick just outside the box and with Arrarte steering the ball over the wall, South custodian Galekovic had no chance.

South then lifted the tempo and the home faithful thought the leveller had arrived after a Con Boutsianis free kick from the right wing found its way past Wolves’ keeper Andrew Crews. However South’s joy was only temporary, the referee consulted with his linesman and it was ruled that Captain Vaughn Coveny had used his hands to divert the ball home, Coveny was subsequently booked and the goal was naturally disallowed.

The equaliser should’ve arrived after South were awarded a penalty minutes after the first disallowed goal, Coveny stepped up and converted firmly past Crews, but once again the ball was brought back with the referee demanding the spot kick be re-taken as some South players had entered the box before the kick had been struck. Coveny once again stepped up but this time Crews chose correctly and saved well to his right. South had been denied once again.

Clearly frustrated, Stuart Munro’s men proceeded to dominate possession for the rest of the half with South’s best opening arriving after a Simon Storey cross from the left was headed across goal by Coveny to an unmarked Curcija who from 6 yards out headed over. Showing attacking initiative, wingback Storey almost brought the house down with a right foot thunderbolt that flew past Crews’s left upright just before half time.

The second stanza saw South come out with increased intensity, chances were coming thick and fast with the lead protagonist being none other than Con Boustianis. Boutsianis spurned 3 decent chances with his final attempt, a near one-on-one with Crews that saw “Boutsi” smash an angled shot narrowly wide.

With the South faithful fearing the equaliser would never come, a 67th minute searching ball by Sam Poutakidis was well contested by Coveny deep in the Wollongong area, the ball eventually found its way to Boustianis who was on hand to head home the equaliser from point blank range.

The equaliser temporarily rejuvenated South who with the vocal support of the home crowd appeared destined to land the winner. With the Wolves absorbing bucket-loads of pressure, it was to everyone’s surprise that a 76th minute Arrarte corner somehow found its way past the South defence to land in the path of Nigerian Chimaobi Nwaogazi who instinctively fired home a devastating half volley from 6 yards out. It was Nwaogazi’s 6th goal in as many games, a goal-scoring run which has coincided with the Wolves recent good form.

To the home side’s credit an immediate reply followed with Captain Coveny finally getting on the scoresheet after nodding home an 80th minute Boutsianis corner. The ball appeared to have been cleared off the line, but after consoling with his linesman, the referee gave the all clear and the Lakesiders had drawn level once again.

With a draw looking the most likely result, substitute Tanju Balabanel – who has had European experience in Turkey – was played in behind the South defence by young Socceroo Dustin Wells, from an acute angle just inside the South area, Balabanel tried his luck with a low stinging shot that caught the heel or leg of a South defender and was unfortunately – for the home side – deflected past a helpless Galekovic for the eventual winner. The South players clasped the heads in devastation knowing that the game had escaped their grasp. Even 5 minutes of injury time could not see South muster a third equaliser, with Crews brilliantly saving a low header from Coveny and a goal-line clearance confirming the home side’s fate. Fair to say, it just wasn’t South’s evening.

Wednesday, 24 December 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

This Saturday the John Turner coached Wollongong Wolves come to Bob Jane Stadium in what looms to be an intriguing encounter.

After a somewhat rollercoaster start to the season Turner’s men have got their act together and gone unbeaten in their last 5 games. Led by Nigerian import Chimaobi Nwaogazi – who has bagged a goal in each of his last 5 games – the Wolves are currently on a steady rise up the NSL standings.

Conversely, South Melbourne continued their run of impressive results last week with a hard fought 0-1 victory over Newcastle United. With results favouring the home side, South Melbourne has extended their lead atop the NSL ladder; the Lakesiders now find themselves 4 points clear from their nearest rivals Perth.

With limited resources at his disposal Coach Turner has like many NSL coaches, managed to put together a highly competitive outfit on a shoestring budget. In goalkeeper Andrew Crews, the Wolves have a proven shot-stopper; Ben Blake, Shane Lyons and Nahuel Arrarte add further NSL experience to the Wolves make-up which is well complemented by the class of Captain and Striker Stuart Young. Young is in the rare position of having seen the Wolves go from dual NSL champions to their current battling predicament but has managed to rediscover some of his best form – after a disappointing campaign last season – with 4 goals so far this term.

Conversely, South coach Stuart Munro has a plethora of selection options all over the park. With the recent return of Young Socceroo duo Massimo Murdocca and Vince Lia, Munro has even further choice at his disposal.

Midfield pairing Marcus Stergiopoulos and Michael Panopoulos have been superb all season and provide South with adequate steel and flair in the centre of the park. Striking-duo Michael Curcija and Captain Vaughn Coveny have combined for a total of 18 goals between them. Add to their proven goal getting instincts the intuitive and dangerous roaming capabilities of wide attackers Con Boutsianis and Scott Tunbridge and it becomes clear that South have many avenues to goal. A positive result for the home side beckons.

Saturday, 20 December 2003 12:00 AM

Newcastle 0 South Melbourne 1
SOUTH MELBOURNE extended their lead to six-points at the top of the NSL with a victory against Newcastle United at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The winner came after just seven minutes through Michael Curcija after Scott Tunbridge had delivered a wonderful ball from the left-hand side.

Curcija was left with a simple tap-in from eight metres and a striker of his quality rarely wastes such opportunities.

Newcastle created the better opportunities after the early setback and will feel it deserved at least a share of the spoils from a match played in sweltering conditions.

South Melbourne goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic had to be at full stretch to protect the lead in the 33rd minute when Ryan Griffiths headed a great pass from Mitchell Johnson toward goal.

Griffiths had been on the pitch for barely a minute, replacing captain Robbie Middleby who had limped off with a calf injury.

Galekovic was the hero either side of half-time, denying Fijian international Esala Masi on both occasions. First he turned away a 25 metre thunderbolt and then he was good enough to parry a full blooded drive which was bound for the net.

Greg Owens spurned a golden chance on the hour mark after Ryan Griffiths has wriggled his way into the penalty box. Griffiths balled the ball back for the striker but he wasted an early Christmas present by flashing it across the face of goal.

Newcastle coach Ian Crook lamented his side’s poor touch in front of goal and another three points lost at home. “There’s another game where, with no disrespect to them, we’ve had 75 per cent of play,” he said.

“Our passing and our movement was good, but goals win games.”

Crook was distressed about his rising injury toll, with his team faced with the task of a match against Northern Spirit on Sunday.

“Robbie (Middleby) has torn a calf, he’s out for the foreseeable future … Brownie (Damien Brown) is no good, and Jobe (Wheelhouse) is only about 75 per cent.”

South Melbourne coach Stuart Munro thought Crook was generous in saying his side had had 25 per cent of the game.

“I don’t know where he got the 25 per cent to be honest, but when you get a group of players who believe in each other you become resilient,” he said.

“You have to ride your luck sometimes but we roll our sleeves up and win games.”

Munro commented that the heat had sapped his side’s energy and the points were all the more valuable for the conditions under which the match was played.

“We’re not used to this hot weather. That’s why I made a few changes in the middle of midfield,” he said.

“Any time you can come here in these conditions and get the points is good.”

SOUTH MELBOURNE 1 (M Curcija 7m) bt NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 at Energy Australia Stadium. Referee: P Green. Crowd: approx. 2500.

AAP

Thursday, 18 December 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

NSL pacesetters South Melbourne travel to Energy Australia Stadium this Friday night to take on Ian Crook’s Newcastle United.

After last week’s impressive come-from-behind 2-1 victory against the Parramatta Power, Stuart Munro’s men will be eager to maintain their position atop the NSL ladder.

Super-consistent-South-workhorse Marcus Stergiopoulos will bring up his 200th NSL appearance against United whilst Captain Vaughn Coveny is only 2 goals shy from breaking the 100 goal NSL barrier.

Both sides met earlier in round 5 with South running out the comprehensive 4 goals to 1 winner. United are currently languishing in 7th position yet are only 2 points away from a top 6 position, hence, the importance of a United victory cannot be underestimated and with South looking to maintain their recent run of solid form, there is plenty at stake in this encounter.

United’s strength lies with experienced NSL campaigners such as Milan Blagojevic, Esala Masi, Robert Middleby, Scott Thomas, Damian Brown, Craig Deans and Peter Tsekenis who always assure that Newcastle present a competitive force in each and every encounter. Add to the experienced core the exciting Griffiths brothers and the emerging talent of players such as Jobe Wheelhouse and one can see that Ian Crook has done a great job in assembling a competitive squad.

Conversely, Stuart Munro has an abundance of talent to select his squad from. Fan’s favourite Sam Poutakidis has shown very consistent form over recent weeks culminating in a starring role against the Power, his emergence is one of many examples of Stuart Munro’s astuteness in backing raw talent and then watching it blossom.

The recent return of Young Socceroos Massimo Murdocca and Vince Lia provides South with an added attacking flair. Furthermore, the return from injury of gun-recruit Michael Panopoulos adds further steel and class to the South midfield.

Finally, attackers Vaughn Coveny and Michael Curcija have figured consistently in the goals with 17 between them, their prolificness should cause the Newcastle defence many problems.