Category: News

Wednesday, 17 December 2003 12:00 AM

It is the dream of a lifetime for two lucky, young Aussie soccer players: to play alongside soccer superstar David Beckham.

The world’s most famous soccer player has offered to teach his phenomenal ball skills to Australian youngsters. In an exclusive with the Seven Network’s TODAY TONIGHT, a boy and a girl will be chosen to go to Spain and be personally coached by the Real Madrid midfielder.

The South Melbourne Soccer Club will be playing a key role in the process with the Melbourne trials being held at Bob Jane Stadium and being adjudicated by South coach, Stuart Munro and two of South’s players.

“I think the important thing that kids need to realise is that [playing good football] doesn’t just happen, it takes practice. My dad used to take me to the park all the time,” Beckham said.

To learn how Beckham passes with pinpoint accuracy and kicks for goal with lethal consequences, children aged between nine and 13 are being asked to send a video displaying their ball skills or magic moments in a game to TODAY TONIGHT. All videos will be judged according to a set of criteria of skills and 10 boys and 10 girls will be selected from each state to progress to the next round.

A South Melbourne Soccer Club panel will be responsible for selecting 1 boy and 1 girl from Victoria / Tasmania who will then be flown to Sydney where a panel of soccer stars, including Socceroos coach Frank Farina, will select the two winners. They’ll be flown to Spain to join Beckham’s coaching camp with 18 other children from around the world.

The resulting program, titled Really Bend It Like Beckham, will be seen on the SEVEN NETWORK in 2004.

For full entry details and competition terms and conditions please visit: www.todaytonight.com.au

Tuesday, 16 December 2003 12:00 AM

Wednesday 10th December versus Sydney Olympic winning ticket was 23003.
Sunday 14th December versus Parramatta Power winning ticket was 19388.
Please contact the office on 9645 9797 if you have either of these tickets.

Monday, 15 December 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have gone clear atop the NSL ladder and sent a firm message that they belong amongst any reform of the game locally with a hard fought 2-1 victory over the Parramatta Power.

In front over 9000-10000 fans South fought back from a goal deficit to take the 3 points. Inspired by the ice-cool nerves of Captain Vaughn Coveny – who converted both goals from the penalty spot – South went ahead midway through the second half and managed to hang on for the vital win.

Parramatta came to Lakeside determined to get a result, from the onset the Nick Theodorakopoulos coached side looked sharp and extremely dangerous on the counter. As early as the 6th minute the Power threatened after Travis Dodd was released, Dodd’s subsequent strike was well hit but South custodian Eugene Galekovic was well positioned to save. South quickly replied in the 9th minute when a succession of offensive headers around the Parramatta defensive area saw the ball end up with Con Boutsianis who instead of electing to header over Bolton, attempted to volley home, Bolton got a slight deflection and the ball went well over.

Just as South was beginning to gain the ascendency Brazilian import Fernando Rech collected the ball just in front of the half way line, Rech advanced and managed to shield off a couple of South defenders before sending a low, well placed, drive past a diving Galekovic who managed to get a clear hand on the ball but couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line. Rech’s 15th minute goal silenced the South faithful but Stuart Munro’s men were far from done.

The 32nd minute saw returning gun-recruit Michael Panopoulos fire a 30 yard bullet towards Bolton’s top-right corner, Bolton did well to get across and push away for a corner. Immediately after his glorious attempt “Pana” produced a quality searching ball from the centre of park that picked out Curcija, the South striker controlled and with his second touch tried to glance the ball over his marker, fortunately for South, the Parramatta defender prevented the ball from advancing via the use of his arm, the linesman was perfectly positioned to raise his flag and subsequently did, referee Hugo pointed to the spot and a penalty was given. The South faithful held their breath as they sensed the importance of the spot-kick, up stepped Captain Coveny to calmly steer past a fully stretched Bolton to not only bring the scores level in the 34th minute but to also send the South faithful into frenzy.

With the scores level both sides went into the half time interval sensing that the next goal could ultimately prove to be the deciding effort. Seemingly inspired from Stuart Munro’s address at half time, South came out with a raised intensity in the second half, pressuring the Parramatta defensive area; half-chances fell to Boutsianis and Tunbridge who both sent angled volleys over Bolton’s goalmouth.

The crucial breakthrough finally arrived in the 62nd minute when the inspirational Panopoulos – who had comprehensively outplayed his direct opponent Simon Colosimo – pierced the Parramatta backline with a through ball that released Curcija, Curcija controlled decently and with Bolton rushing out, the South front-man attempted to go around the Power custodian who in the same play brought down the ex-Partizan Belgrade striker. Hugo once again pointed to the spot and once again, Coveny assumed responsibility. Coveny intelligently chose the opposite corner for his strike and sent Bolton the wrong way to send the home crowd into rapture. With Coveny’s goal South had transformed a deficit into a lead against the league’s most talented playing roster, suddenly a victory appeared to be a strong possibility.

South surged on looking for a third goal that would seal the result, the 77th minute saw Boutsianis released down the left hand side, with acres of space ahead, Boutsianis raced down the wing and delivered a glorious cross to the incoming Coveny who rose well but headed over. Had Coveny hit the target Bolton would’ve been beaten as the Power keeper had anticipated the cross to completely clear the South captain and as such his positioning was poor.

Parramatta then proceeded to raise the tempo and take more risks in the hope of finding an equaliser, with large chunks of possession a chance was inevitable and it arrived in the 78th minute when ex-Newcastle United winger/striker Travis Dodd fired in a dangerous cross from the right that beautifully picked out Fernando Rech who placed his header well but fortunately for the home side, Galekovic was on hand to anticipate the header and hence firmly grasped the ball.

South’s third nearly arrived in the 82nd minute when Young Socceroo Vince Lia – who had been brought on in the 2nd half – was released down the right by Sam Poutakidis, Lia’s cross was world class and picked out Con Boutsianis who made superb contact only for Bolton to palm away at the last moment when the ball appeared destined for the top corner. It was a save worthy of Bolton’s standing as one of Australia’s premier keepers but more importantly, a save that kept the Power in the contest.

Immediately after Boutsianis’s narrow miss, a Parramatta corner sent a flutter through the hearts of the South faithful. What appeared and easy take for Galekovic nearly turned into disaster when Galekovic spilt his initial grab onto his left upright, fortunately for South Galekovic recovered and quickly gloved.

For the remainder of the game South were looking to hang on, long clearances were all the rage and any decent possession on the ball for the home side was worth its weight in gold. Finally after 3 minutes of stoppage time, referee Hugo blew the final whistle, Bob Jane Stadium erupted, South went 3 points clear atop the NSL ladder but perhaps more importantly, a firm message to the reform process was sent, in drawing a great crowd, putting on a great footballing spectacle and generating a great atmosphere, South surely elevated their chances for inclusion in the reform process. A great day of football all round.

NSL Round 14 – South Melbourne v Parramatta Power
Sunday 14 December 2004 – Bob Jane Stadium, Albert Park.

South Melbourne (1) 2
Coveny (34 pen, 63 pen).

Parramatta Power (1) 1
Rech (16).

Venue – Bob Jane Stadium.
Attendance – 10,005
Referee – Brett Hugo.

South Melbourne: (4-3-3) Galekovic, Poutakidis, Kovacevic, Laurie (Tolios
89), Storey, Coveny (c) (Lia 78), Stergiopoulos, Panopoulos, Curcija,
Boutsianis (Murdocca 92), Tunbridge. Subs not used: Theoklitis (GK).

Parramatta Power: (3-5-3) Bolton, Beachamp, Ceccoli (c) (Zorbas 81),
Sobczyk, Elrich, Gumprecht (O’Grady 90), Colosimo, Pantelis (Thompson 63),
Dodd, Rech, Milicic. Sub not used: Vukovic (GK).

Cautions: Rech (PP) 41, Curcija (SM) 46+, Gumprecht (PP) 46, Tunbridge
(SM) 54, Bolton (PP) 62, Colossimo (PP) 94,

Red Cards: (None)

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)