Category: News

Friday, 12 December 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

The top of the table clash is always an enticing affair and this season’s version will be no different. Parramatta come to Bob Jane Stadium knowing that a positive result against South will go a long way into confirming their championship credentials whilst a win for South would no doubt firm Stuart Munro’s men as one of the major contenders.

Nick Theodorakopoulos’ Parramatta Power have unquestionably one of the, if not the most, talented-on-paper squads in the league. With an enormous amount of depth throughout the squad the Power possess a playing roster that can take apart any team in the NSL.

Leading marksmen Ante Milicic as always is a key player in the Power setup, Milicic has already reached double figures (10 goals at the time of print) and will command a great deal of attention from the South defensive line. Socceroo Simon Colosimo provides the steel and guile in the centre of the park whilst Andre Gumprecht adds a dimension of class to the line-up that only European experience can bring.

Conversely, under the stewardship off Stuart Munro South Melbourne have become one of the most formidable and cohesive line-ups in the NSL. South are playing an accountable brand of football having only conceded a handful of goals whilst at the same time managing to score quite heavily. Coach Munro has done a superb job in not only assembling a vastly new playing-roster, but also in managing to get his men to play an attractive brand of football.

The Lakesiders possess a squad that is littered with experience yet has a strong blend of up-and-coming youngsters. Usual suspects Con Boutsianis, Paul Trimboli and Vaughn Coveny highlight the level of experience in the South line-up whereas players such as Steve Laurie, Kristian Sarkies, Max Lohy and Simon Storey are great examples of astute and intuitive signings of younger players who have contributed a great deal to South’s plight so far.

Friday, 12 December 2003 12:00 AM

Young Socceroos Vince Lia and Massimo Murdocca will arrive back in the country tomorrow.

After experiencing the highs and lows of World Cup competition in the past month, both players are looking forward to joining their South teammates as the club continues on its successful run in the National Soccer League.

Sunday’s match against Parramatta is the match of the season to date with first placed South hosting second placed Parramatta and only goal difference separating the two.

Friday, 12 December 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne Soccer Club has announced that Sunday’s “blockbuster” match at Bob Jane Stadium will be a day for the women and children.

With the generous support form Club sponsor Rocket Batteries all children attending the game will receive a free gift whilst all women will be admitted free of charge. “We are challenging all soccer supporters and Melbournians to come down to Bob Jane Stadium and see the country’s best two teams battle it out in the top of the table clash,” said CEO Mark Patterson.

“We want to add value to the fans who attend on Sunday, and I am quietly confident that we can generate a crowd of more than ten thousand on Sunday” Patterson said.

Wednesday, 10 December 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

Sydney Olympic’s visit to Bob Jane Stadium every year is viewed as one of the biggest clashes on an average South Melbourne supporter’s calendar.

The rivalry between these two traditional clubs has grown fierce in recent years, South’s heavy 6-0 defeat at the hands of Olympic only a couple of days after returning from the World Club Championships in Brazil is often remembered at the catalyst that sparked the rivalry. For the week immediately after the hammering, a ten-man South got their revenge with a 2-0 victory at Bob Jane Stadium, that day many Olympic fans made the journey to Lakeside holding up small signs that were aimed at reminding the South faithful of the result the week before. A tense rivalry was born.

After a Championship and then a grand final loss, Olympic have fallen somewhat predictably to the financial constraints of the league and as such have lost many high quality players. Players like Ante Milicic, Anthony Durante, Clint Bolton, Tom Pondlejak, Jade North, Wayne Shroj and Jeromy Harris have all departed to other NSL clubs.

Rookie NSL Coach Peter Papanikitas has had to assemble a squad with many unproven at NSL level NSW premier league players, however, Olympic have been somewhat fortunate in that they managed to retain club stalwarts Ante Juric, Paul Kohler and Hiroyuki Ishida, gun forward Pablo Cardozo has also returned to the club but has so far struggled to find the back of the net with only 2 goals to date. Exciting youngsters Iain Fyfe and Joseph Schirripa have also come to the club and with the recent additions of ex-South midfielder George Goutzioulis and former Perth playmaker Troy Halpin, Papanikitas has managed to assemble a respectable squad.

Conversely South continue to be one of the competition’s pacesetters. An enviable goal difference spurred on by the league’s securest defence and a forward line that has started scoring freely, Stuart Munro’s men are currently flying. Michael Curcija looms as an obvious danger man, his 4 goals against the Football Kingz sees the ex-Partizan Belgrade striker as one of the competition’s inform front-men. Add to the attacking mix the roaming presence of Scott Tunbridge, the freakish abilities of Con Boutsianis and the style and vision of Michael Panopoulos and South have goal scoring avenues all over the park.

GAME: SOUTH MELBOURNE Vs SYDNEY OLYMPIC
Date: Wednesday 10 December 2003
Venue: Bob Jane Stadium
Kickoff: 7.30pm

HEAD TO HEAD (Overall):
Played: 53
Sth Melb wins 27
Olympic wins 11
Draws 15

HEAD TO HEAD (at Melbourne):
Played: 24(Regular Season)
Sth Melb wins 15
Olympic wins 2
Draws 7

Last Encounter (Regular Season):
Sth Melb won 6-4

LAST WEEK:
Sth Melb 3-1 away loss V Spirit
Olympic 1-0 home loss V Parramatta

Position on Ladder: 2nd V 10th

SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD:
E Galekovic (gk), M Panopoulos, A Kovacevic, M Stergiopoulos, M Curcija, C
Boutsianis, S Poutakidis, M Lohy, S Storey, S Laurie, S Tunbridge, V Coveny,
L Osman, C Recchia, M Theoklitos (gk),

IN: L Osman, S Tunbridge, M Panopoulos
OUT: K Sarkies (omitted), I Ibraimi (omitted), N Tolios (omitted)

SYDNEY OLYMPIC SQUAD:
B Hughes (gk), G Souris, P Kohler, A Juric, J Schirripa, I Fyfe, P Cardozo,
J Bakis, S Baillie, E Augerinos, G Goutzioulis, Z Caravella, G Moss (gk)
(one to be omitted)

IN: T Elrich, S Baillie, J Nikas
OUT: T Halpin (suspended – 1 match), H Ishida (ankle – 1 week), P Bojic
(omitted)

Wednesday, 10 December 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis
South have returned to the NSL peak with a strong 4-2 victory against a spirited Sydney Olympic. A dazzling opening 35 minutes that saw the Lakesiders establish a 3 goals to nil lead was ultimately enough to secure the points for the home side.

The South show started as early as the 7th minute after home captain Vaughn Coveny created space for himself down the right wing, Coveny cut back to his left side and sent in a great looping cross that saw Scott Tunbridge rise above the defence to head home past an outstretched Hughes.

South’s second came in the 25th minute after clever close interplay between Boutsianis and Poutakidis on the edge of the Olympic area saw the latter released tête-à-tête with Olympic custodian Hughes, Poutakidis calmly chose his spot and with the aid of a deflection sent South to a well deserved 2-0 lead.

The 32nd minute saw South go further ahead, midfield stalwart Marcus Stergiopoulos found space close to the Olympic area, with a defender in front of him, Stergiopoulos did brilliantly to shimmy past the Olympic marker and with the goal at his mercy, the player affectionately known as “Sterge” chose to unselfishly lay off to South striker Michael Curcija who with an empty goalmouth missed his initial attempt but luckily had the presence and composure to quickly adjust to put South 3 ahead.

Olympic pulled a goal back in the 36th minute after a curling corner from Jim Nikas was well met by NSL veteran Elias Augerinos who rose powerfully to head passed a helpless Galekovic. It was a goal the served to inspire the visitors, soon after; the quiet Pablo Cardozo saw his curling 41st minute free-kick curl narrowly wide. Olympic sensed an opening.

The second stanza saw Olympic pressing hard for another goal in the hope that a 2nd effort would give them the necessary momentum to get a result. Ex-South midfielder George Goutzioulis threatened with a 56th minute angled volley that South custodian Galekovic did well to parry over.

Immediately after Goutzioulis’s attempt South attacked on the counter with the enigmatic Con Boutsianis finding acres of space down the left wing, reminiscent of a training set-piece, Boutsianis thundered down the line and delivered a brilliant cross that Curcija nearly met after almost perfectly timing his acceleration past his marker, the ball eventually found a closing Tunbridge who sent a follow up header over Hughes’s goalmouth.

Olympic who had had the lion’s share of possession in the first 15 minutes of the second half were given hope when a 62nd minute scramble in the South area saw the ball fall to Olympic substitute Jim Bakis who did superbly well to react first and send his shot on the turn passed Galekovic, Galekovic managed to get a hand to the attempt but ultimately Bakis’s quick reaction defeated the gallant South custodian.

With Olympic sensing the possibility of a result, their travelling supporters broke out in voice, the equaliser nearly arrived in the 71st minute when ex-Adelaide City Force defender Iain Fyfe broke down the left and made his way into the South area, Fyfe’s subsequent cross was low and well directed but fortunately for South Olympic’s forwards couldn’t make direct contact with the ball.

In need of a response to kill off the game, South turned to Con Boutsianis. Boutsianis had been a clear target all game for the travelling Olympic supporters yet managed to respond in characteristically magnificent fashion. South won a 78th minute free kick on the edge of the Olympic area, with the South faithful sensing a wonder-strike Boutsianis delivered by sending a dart-like curling effort passed a stranded Hughes who had no chance.

With Olympic effectively killed off, South missed golden opportunities with both Coveny and substitute Ibraimi Ibraimi failing to convert one-on-one opportunities in the last ten minutes.

Special mention must go to the Clarendon Corner who created a brilliant atmosphere throughout the entire encounter; their second half “light” show was reminiscent of atmospheres usually only seen in the stadia of Europe let alone in the National Soccer League. A great effort to cap off a night of great football.

Monday, 8 December 2003 12:00 AM

South have lost their top position status after going down 3-1 to a Stuart Petrie inspired Northern Spirit. South’s squad was largely underdone with injuries to key players such as Paul Trimboli, Levent Osman and Michael Panopoulos leading to a somehwhat makeshift South line-up.

Scotsman Petrie sunk long range shots in each half, both 20-metre efforts set for the end of season highlights reel.

With little on at the stroke of halftime Petrie cracked a looping left footer to leave South Melbourne keeper Eugene Galekovic stranded.

Opposition striker Michael Curcija pegged one back in the 54th minute with a deft header from a Sam Poutakidis cross but it would prove to be Petrie and the Spirit’s night.

The 33-year old pounced two minutes later, propping with the ball at his feet from a similar range before striking a sharp shot into the left hand side of the net.

A solo effort by substitute Brent Fisher two minutes from time sealed the surprise result for the Spirit.

Earlier South Melbourne had struggled with decent supply but ultimately had the better scoring chances in the first half thanks to some impressive counter attack.

But the final touches were always on the leaden side.

In the eighth minute captain Vaughan Coveny – a surprise starter after a hamstring injury was expected to keep him out of the game – kicked straight at the keeper in a one-on-one situation with Paul Henderson.

Then striker Michael Curcija skied a ball in scoring range a minute later before midfield maestro Con Boutsianis’ header found the cross bar in the 29th minute.

The homeside had no such problem with penetration but seemed to lack options when it came to the penultimate ball.

That was until Petrie took it upon himself to do all the work with the first of his two superb strikes.

Spirit coach Lawrie McKinna was unsurprisingly full of praise for Petrie and his freakish conversions from difficult positions.

“Stewart was tremendous – he held the ball brilliantly,” McKinna said.

“But overall I was pretty happy with everyone – sometimes playing with a wind and no brains isn’t an advantage but we made it (the swirling conditions) work for us tonight.”

South Melbourne mentor Stuart Munro wasn’t displeased either, claiming his side played reasonably well despite not being “championship material” just yet.

“You could kind of tell it wasn’t going to be our day,” Munro said in reference to the three clear chances for South that went by in the first half.

NORTHERN SPIRIT 3 (S Petrie 45m 56m B Fisher 88m) bt SOUTH MELBOURNE 1 (M Curcija 54m) at Pittwater Park. Referee: A Nardi. Crowd: 1859.

-APP

Thursday, 4 December 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

Having emerged victorious in their past 3 encounters league leaders South Melbourne travel to Pittwater Park to take on the 9th placed Northern Spirit.

Stuart Munro’s men currently find themselves in a rich vein of form, triggered by the 0-5 whitewash of local rivals the Melbourne Knights, South have gone on to record victories against Adelaide United and a superb 6-0 result against the Football Kingz last week.

South currently find themselves atop the NSL ladder and will be keen for a positive result against the Spirit to help consolidate their top billing.

The Lakesiders will receive a massive boost with the news that gun recruit Michael Panopoulos has gained inclusion for this week’s match at the expense of Scott Tunbridge who misses through suspension. Panopoulos’ inclusion is likely to mean that young starlet Kristian Sarkies will go back to the bench allowing for the former Greek youth International to re-commence his midfield partnership with the ever hard-working, Marcus Stergiopoulos.

Conversely, the Lawrie McKinna coached Spirit have been dealt quite a blow with leading marksman Dylan Macallister missing through suspension. Macallister has had a solid season to date, contributing 4 goals to the Spirit’s plight and also managing to form a decent understanding with Scottish import Stuart Petrie. The Spirit will be marshalled by the inspirational former Glasgow Rangers stalwart Ian Ferguson who has surprised many with his commitment and performances in the centre of the park.

A positive for the NSW-based club is that their core squad remains vastly unchanged from last season’s heroic group of players that went on a late season surge to snatch a spot in the NSL finals, players such as goalkeeper Paul Henderson, midfielder Wayne O’Sullivan, defender Julian Watts and ex-Gippsland Falcons centre-man John Hutchinson have vast experience at NSL level in the cases of Watts and O’Sullivan, years of European experience as well. Up-and-coming youngsters such as Vuko Tomasevic, Brent Fischer, Adam Kwasnik and Bradley Groves round off a highly competitive squad that will no doubt push the Lakesiders all the way this Sunday.

Game: Northern Spirit vs South Melbourne
Date: Sunday 7 December 2003
Venue: Pittwater Park
Kickoff: 6.30pm

HEAD TO HEAD (Overall):
Played: 10
Spirit wins 3
Sth Melb wins 6
Draws 1

HEAD TO HEAD (at Sydney):
Played: 5(Regular Season)
Spirit wins 3
Sth Melb wins 1
Draws 1

Last Encounter:
Spirit won 3-2

LAST WEEK:
Spirit 3-0 away loss V Power
Sth Melb 6-0 home win Kingz

Position on Ladder:
8th V 1st

NORTHERN SPIRIT SQUAD:
P Henderson (gk), J Watts, N Spencer, M Osman, W O’Sullivan, V Tomasevic, S Petrie, J Hutchinson, I Ferguson, B Groves, A Kwasnik, M Hunter, S Baveas, B Fisher, S Page (gk)

IN: I Ferguson
OUT: D Macallister (suspended – 1 match)

SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD:
E Galekovic (gk), M Panopoulos, A Kovacevic, M Stergiopoulos, M Curcija, C Boutsianis, S Poutakidis, M Lohy, S Storey, K Sarkies, S Laurie, P Trimboli, L Osman, C Recchia, M Theoklitos (gk),

IN: M Panopoulos
OUT: S Tunbridge (suspension – 1 match)

Sunday, 30 November 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne 6 Football Kingz 0
A CLUB-RECORD goal haul by Michael Curcija has put South Melbourne atop the NSL with a flogging of the crisis-ridden Football Kingz at Bob Jane Stadium today.

Curcija became just the fifth South player to score four goals as South deepened the woes of the cellar-dwelling Kingz, who now return to New Zealand with their tails between their legs and on the look-out for a new coach.

Coach Ken Dugdale quit two days prior to this match in protest at the travel policy.

The New Zealanders had to assemble at the Auckland airport at 3.15am to travel over for the match.

The Kingz would not return home until Tuesday, meaning those part-time players who had to work could not travel for this match.

Already without suspended captain Chris Jackson, the Kingz also lost leading goalscorer Harry Ngata and striker Paul Harries.

With such a preparation, the last thing they needed was to concede an early goal, which they did just two minutes in when Curcija had the time and space to seize on a loose ball and rifle home a shot from outside the box.

After a refreshing burst of rain snapped the very humid conditions, South doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute when a corner from Con Boutsianis – in his 200th South appearance – was well met with a close-range header by central defender Steve Laurie.

South got the goal which put them top of the NSL in the 56th minute, as Sam Poutakidis whipped in a cross from the left where Curcija had a free header that Kingz keeper Mike Utting could only parry into the net.

Curcija brought up his hat-trick in 72nd minute, running onto a clever Kristian Sarkies chip pass and into the area where he had a one-on-one with Utting, cleverly shooting past the keeper from a tight angle.

Curcija’s fourth came in farcical style when Utting tried to be clever by juggling up a backpass, losing control and allowing the South striker the easiest of tap-ins in the 85th minute.

Scott Tunbridge added the coup de grace in the 90th minute with a long-range shot past the hapless Utting.

Kingz assistant coach Tommy Mason, who took charge today and was expected to do so again for at least next week, was unsure if and when a new permanent senior coach would be appointed.

“It’s a terrible result to get in light of what’s been happening,” Mason said.

“We’ve had a good run of late and today we were beaten by a better team and we have to pick ourselves up, show some grace and get on with it.”

South coach Stuart Munro was at pains to ensure his team took no notice of their opponent’s turmoil and was rewarded with the club’s biggest win in eight years.

He was also chuffed for Curcija, who answered those critics who had emerged as he scored just two goals for the season leading to this game.

“We’ve had absolutely no problem with Michael but people were talking about him not scoring, he’s too slow, he’s too this, he’s too that,” Munro said.

“I hope it really kick starts the goal-scoring part of his season.”

AAP

Thursday, 27 November 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

On paper this Sunday’s clash between South Melbourne and the Football Kingz appears to be a one-sided affair. South Melbourne are currently flying and find themselves in 2nd position, conversely the Kingz have had a torrid season to date, rooted at the bottom of the NSL ladder an unlikely 3-1 victory against Marconi last week has Ken Dugdale’s men hopeful of a positive result against South.

South have lost inspirational captain Vaughn Coveny to a hamstring injury, the Kiwi international didn’t figure in last week’s victory over Adelaide United and is expected to miss anywhere between 3-4 weeks.

With the competition’s leading goal-scorer out of the line-up South found and unlikely hero in Ante Kovacevic last week, Kovacevic managed to double his career goal’s tally by nodding in a double against United. However, of vital importance will be the emergence of another goal-getter. In Con Boutsianis, Michael Curcija, Paul Trimboli and Scott Tunbridge South possess one of the competitions deepest and most talented forward lines; hence the absence of Coveny has good foundations to be minimised.

Gun recruit Michael Panopoulos continues to impress in his attacking midfield position, his work rate and ever growing understanding with Marcus Stergiopoulos has seen the South midfield flourish. South also possesses the league’s best goal difference, an achievement which can be largely attributed to the Lakesider’s defensive line which to date has only leaked four goals.

Conversely, the Football Kingz have the worst defensive record in the country having conceded 18 goals. Ken Dugdale has a squad that is vastly inexperienced at NSL level. Exceptions to this notion apply to leading scorer Heremaia (Harry) Ngata, Mark Burton and goalkeeper Michael Utting who had a brief spell at South during the Middle Park era in the mid 1990’s. Former South youth player John Tambouras also finds himself in the heart of the Kingz line-up after returning from a period of playing his football in Greece.

Game: South Melbourne Vs Football Kingz
Date: Sunday 30 November 2003
Venue: Bob Jane Stadium
Kickoff: 6.00pm

HEAD TO HEAD (Overall):
Played: 8
Sth Melb wins 5
Kingz wins 2
Draws 1

HEAD TO HEAD (at Melbourne):
Played: 4(Regular Season)
Sth Melb wins 3
Kingz wins 1
Draws 0

Last Encounter:
Sth Melb won 3-0

LAST WEEK:
Sth Melb 2-1 home win V Adelaide
Kingz 3-1 home win V Marconi

Position on Ladder:
2nd V 13th

SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD: E Galekovic (gk), M Panopoulos, A Kovacevic, M Stergiopoulos, M Curcija, C Boutsianis, S Tunbridge, S Poutakidis, M Lohy, S Storey, K Sarkies, S Laurie, P Trimboli, L Osman, M Theoklitos (gk),

IN: Unchanged
OUT: Unchanged

FOOTBALL KINGZ SQUAD: M Utting (gk), A Midtsian, G Collins, J Tambouras, M Burton, J Campbell, H Ngata, J Rowley, M Donoso, E Schjerven, P Harries, T Martin, D Rayner, C Coombes, R Nicholson (gk)

IN: D Rayner
OUT: C Jackson (suspended – 1 match)

Tuesday, 25 November 2003 12:00 AM

Are you aged 12-15 years and want to earn some extra pocket money before Christmas?

The South Melbourne Soccer Club requires trustworthy youngsters to sell match day programs before home games at Bob Jane Stadium. Earn some extra pocket money and get free entry into the ground!

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