Category: News

Monday, 24 March 2003 12:00 AM

Last night Peter Zorbas scored the winner in Parramatta Powers 2 – 1 victory over Newcastle in Round 1 of the National Soccer League Finals.

In the biggest upset of the round, Adelaide City Force defeated top placed Olympic Sharks. Former South Melbourne Back to Back Championship player Goran Lozanovski scored the only goal in the 73rd minute, to give the Force a boost in their first finals match.

Northern Spirit who secured sixth spot, were on the end of their second successive thrashing as Perth Glory put five goals past the North Sydney Club. Glory striker Bobby Despotovski scored four goals in the Glory’s 5 – 0 win.

Parramatta and Adelaide City have narrowed the gap on Olympic, while Perth Glory now head the table on goal difference. Parramatta now face Perth at home which makes for a very interesting clash this weekend.

In other matches Adelaide City travel to Newcastle this Friday night, while Olympic are expected to topple Northern Spirit in Round 2 of the National Soccer League Finals.

Thursday, 20 March 2003 12:00 AM

As part of SBS’ celebrations of the network’s official arrival at its new headquarters in Melbourne’s Federation Square, SBS Sport will be recording their Sunday soccer program THE WORLD GAME LIVE and in front of a studio audience at the BMW Edge Amphitheatre, Federation Square.

SBS Sport are inviting all members of the public to be their live studio audience on Sunday, 23 March from 12 noon at the BMW EDGE amphitheatre in the Federation Square complex. (Entrance from Flinders Street)

Viewers will get a close up and behind-the-scenes glimpse at a live television broadcast and will have the chance to rub shoulders with everyone from the SBS soccer team including LES MURRAY, JOHNNY WARREN, ANDREW ORSATTI, CRAIG FOSTER, FRANCIS AWARITEFE, TONY PALUMBO and even DAMIEN LOVELOCK.

This is a rare and exciting chance for Melburnians to meet their favourite SBS Soccer on-air personalities, chat with them about the world game, take home an autograph and maybe even some great prizes and souvenirs!

SBS Sport will also be recording two episodes of its nightly prime time sports news bulletin TOYOTA WORLD SPORTS, live from Federation Square on Saturday and Sunday the 22nd and 23rd of March at 7.00pm.

Monday, 17 March 2003 12:00 AM

On Friday evening South Melbourne Soccer Club players, Peter Buljan, Nick Tolios, Eugene Galekovic along with New Zealand International Vaughan Coveny and Young Socceroo Vince Lia fully shaved their hair for the World’s greatest shave for a cure.

Young gun Massimo Murdocca sprayed his hair grey and blue for this worthy cause.

With some of the players girlfriends watching on, the players themselves were nervous as they walked up to the electric clippers. But as Peter Buljan received his shave, the rest of the boys gained confidence and went the whole nine yards.

The Cricket Club Hotel put on a fabulous evening with many present, giving generous donations to raise funds for leukaemia research and patient support. South Melbourne Soccer Club would like to thank Tania and John McConnon of the Cricket Club Hotel for their support and hospitality.

The head shaving worked wonders for the boys with Vaughan Coveny and Peter Buljan getting on the scoresheet in yesterdays 5 – 4 win over the Kingz in Auckland.

Monday, 17 March 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne finished off season 2002-2003 in similar fashion to the way it commenced back in early October 2002. The Blue and Whites battled a 5 – 4 win with New Zealand based Kingz FC to finish the season in seventh spot, one point outside the top six.

In the initial rounds, the Albert Park Club played some thrilling matches against Olympic Sharks and Melbourne Knights, which were the highlights at Bob Jane Stadium this season.

Yesterday’s win was South’s second away win of the season, as South Melbourne who has had a problem scoring of late put that factor to rest in their season finale.

The home side opened the scoring in the 30th minute, but were soon behind as South went on a rampage netting three goals in 15 minutes to be two goals up at the break. Baird scored South’s first, while Coveny and a Boutsianis free kick added to South’s scoresheet.

After the break Coveny scored his second to give South handy 4 – 1 lead. But the Kingz were not finished yet as they clawed their way back with two goals in four minutes. Buljan came onto the field and put the game to rest in the 80th minute with South’s fifth and final goal.

In other matches, Perth Glory missed the opportunity to be crowned National Soccer League Premiers with a loss to Marconi who lifted themselves off the bottom of the table. Wollongong Wolves are this seasons wooden spooners. Current Champions Olympic Sharks finished top of the table.

Monday, 17 March 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne had a few knee wobbles this season but none were bigger than the long term injuries to captain Paul Trimboli, Robert Liparoti and Zeljko Susa.

At the age of 33 and in his 15th season, captain Paul Trimboli caused serious damage to his medial and lateral cartilage, an injury that could have had serious implications to his career. Fortunately for Trimboli, he is rapidly recovering and is due to be back within two months.

“Paul Trimboli is doing really well and is now spending a lot of time in the gym. He has had a strong recovery and will be ready to play again within 6-8 weeks”, says South Melbourne physiotherapist, Mary Toomey”.

South’s number nine has been working through a daily program to get his knee right, as he aimed to return during the finals series.

“It is frustrating not making the finals, as I had pencilled in making a return during the finals series. I’m currently in a 12 – 16 week rehabilitation program which will enable me to prepare for the pre-season”, says Trimboli.

Unfortunately Susa and Liparoti’s seasons were brought to a halt when they both tore cruciate ligaments. Liparoti, who injured his opposite knee two seasons ago, is due to return for the pre-season while Susa awaits a knee operation.

South Melbourne physiotherapist Mary Toomey is pleased with the progress of the tall defender.

“Liparoti is equally doing well, riding bikes and swimming regularly. He will be ready for pre-season training.

“Susa still has to have surgery on his knee which is four weeks away. We will wait for after the operation to see what happens with Zeljko Susa”, says Toomey.

Friday, 14 March 2003 12:00 AM

Date: Sunday 16 March 2003
Venue: Ericsson Stadium
Kick off: 12.00 midday (11.00am AEDST

HEAD TO HEAD (Overall):
Played: 7 Kingz wins 2, South Melbourne wins 4, Draws 1

HEAD TO HEAD (in New Zealand) Played: 3 (Regular Season)
Kingz wins 1, South Melbourne wins 1, Draws 1

Last Encounter: South Melbourne 3-0 home win

LAST WEEK:
Kingz 2-1 away win Vs Newcastle;
South Melbourne – weekend off

Position on Ladder: 11th Vs 7th

FOOTBALL KINGZ SQUAD:
M Utting (gk), J Taylor, C Jackson, A Vlahos, H Ngata, H Miyazawa, J Pritchett, M Donoso, J Christie, M Beldham, C Anthopoulos, M Atkinson, J Perry, S Turner, J Bannatyne (gk)

IN: Unchanged
OUT: Unchanged

SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD:
D Anastasiadis (gk), S Iosifides, F De Amicis, M Durakovic, V Coveny, P Buljan, V Lia, S Poutakidis, M Murdocca, P Kisnorbo, S Pace, N Tolios, C Boutsianis, R Sekulovski, E Galekovic (gk).

IN: P Kisnorbo, V Lia
OUT: B Damianos (suspended – 2 matches), S Panopoulos (suspended – 1 match)

Friday, 14 March 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne Soccer Club will today support “Shave for a Cure” at the Cricket Club Hotel, South Melbourne.

The World’s Greatest Shave for a Cure is the Leukaemia Foundation’s biggest annual fundraising event where participants shave or colour their hair to raise funds for leukaemia research and patient support.

Senior teammates Vaughan Coveny, Zeljko Susa and Peter Buljan will join the Lakeside Club’s young brigade in Eugene Galekovic, Nick Tolios, Massimo Murdocca and Vince Lia, for the world’s greatest shave for a cure.

The Cricket Club Hotel, located on 435 Clarendon Street South Melbourne, is aiming to contribute $5,000 towards the worthy cause tomorrow evening. South Melbourne encourages all members and supporters to get behind the event by logging onto www.worldsgreatestshave.com and send in their donations.

South Melbourne players will be appearing at the Cricket Club Hotel at 6.00PM.

Details are as follows:
Date/Time: 14 March 2003, 6:00 PM
Venue: Cricket Club Hotel, South Melbourne, Melbourne
Address: Cricket Club Hotel, 435 Clarendon Street SOUTH MELBOURNE

Wednesday, 12 March 2003 12:00 AM

At the beginning of the season, New Zealand International striker Vaughan Coveny had scored 59 goals for the Blue and Whites. With one game remaining, the speedy striker has netted a commendable nine goals and is South Melbourne’s top goalscorer this season.

This has lifted him closer to surpassing former crowd favourite Charlie Egan who sits behind Paul Trimboli. The current South captain leads the club’s all-time scoring charts by a whopping 30 goals. Trimboli has scored 113 goals for the Lakeside club.

South Melbourne takes on the Kingz at Ericsson Stadium, Auckland in their last encounter of the season. Coveny will be looking to cap off his season on a high and take his goal-scoring tally into double figures when he travels to his country of birth this weekend.

“I’m satisfied with nine goals so far this season. A couple against the Kingz on Sunday would be nice, but there is no pressure on the team and we will go out onto the park, enjoy ourselves, as well as get a result”.

“Surpassing great players such as Con Boutsianis or Charlie Egan is not an issue for me. My aim is for the team to do well and if exceeding these players happens along the way then it’s a bonus”.

Con Boutsianis is Coveny’s closest opponent on South Melbourne’s overall scoring tally. ‘Boutsi’ as known by his teammates, has scored a total of 104 NSL goals and has netted 70 goals at South.

The 31 year old can equal or go beyond Charlie Egan’s 73 goals this weekend but it will take a huge effort to score a hat trick in the dead rubber. Boutsianis is determined to make sure the club finishes the season positively.

“There’s no pressure on the boys this weekend. We are going out to get a result and play some good football”, says Boutsianis.

“Stranger things have happened. It will be an honour to past Charlie Egan’s scoring record. If it happens on Sunday or next season it doesn’t matter. Records don’t stick in my mind while I am playing”.

Most Goals Scored:
113 – Paul Trimboli
73 – Charlie Egan
70 – Con Boutsianis
68 – Vaughan Coveny
48 – Doug Brown
47 – Michael Curcija
45 – Kimon Taliadoros
37 – Alun Evans
34 – Francis Awaritife
32 – John Anastasiadis

Tuesday, 11 March 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne will not participate in the new look finals system this season after Parramatta Power, Adelaide City and Northern Spirit all confirmed a place in the top six with wins on the weekend.

With one round remaining of the home and away season, South Melbourne sit four points from a finals spot but will not be able to bridge the gap on it’s closest rivals. South Melbourne closes out it’s season against Football Kingz this Sunday at Ericsson Stadium, Auckland.
Kick off at 2:00PM AET.

The battle of the top two clubs comes down to the wire this week, as Perth Glory look comfortable to be crowned NSL Premiers when they take on bottom placed Marconi while reigning champions Olympic Sharks who still have a slight chance of finishing first, host Adelaide City.

Newcastle United have the Bye this weekend and with 1 point seperating third and sixth, the formation of the finals must wait until the conclusion of Round 26. Perth and Olympic have undoubtedly been the form teams this season but with all top six clubs in good form, the new look finals series should be interesting.

The Albert Park Club will finish in seventh place no matter what the result this weekend. This has resulted in Victoria not being represented in the finals, a first since the inception of the league in 1977.

South Melbourne will be without Vice Captain Steve Panopoulos and midfielder Bill Damianos who are both suspended this weekend. Young Stephen Pace has a strained groin and may also miss the trip to Auckland.

South Melbourne will train tomorrow and Thursday night at Bob Jane Stadium before shooting across the Tasman. Caretaker coach Peter Tsolakis is determined for the club to conclude on a high note with a win against the Kingz this Sunday.

“Even though the finals are out of our grasp, we will be going to Auckland looking to take three points and finish the season on a positive note”.

The finals series runs over a ten week period with week one commencing in a fortnights time.

Wednesday, 5 March 2003 12:00 AM

Former South Melbourne Championship coach Ange Postecoglou, announced his 20 man World Cup Under 20 squad yesterday which included three talented South Melbourne players.

Massimo Murdocca, Vince Lia and Michael Baird have been selected for the Under 20 World Cup Squad which will travel to Dubai.

The Australian squad will convene for a pre-tournament camp in Perth prior to arriving in the United Arab Emirates for their first game on March 26.

The preliminary group draw for the Qantas Young Socceroos is:

Australia Vs Czech Republic
26 March – 8.30pm

Australia Vs Canada
29 March – 5.45pm

Australia Vs Brazil
1 April – 5.45pm
(*all times are Dubai time)

The 24-team tournament will be held from March 25 – April 16 with Group C to be played at the Rashid Stadium in the Northern city of Dubai.

Australia are set to compete for the 11th time at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship having missed only three tournaments in the 26-year history of the competition. Australia were semi-finalists in 1991 and 1993 and were quarter-finalists in 1981, 1995, 1997 and 2001.