Category: News

Friday, 31 January 2003 12:00 AM

Date: Sunday 2 February 2003
Venue: Toyota Park
Kickoff: 6.00pm AEST

HEAD TO HEAD (Overall):
Played: 52 Olympic wins 10, South Melbourne wins 22, Draws 15

HEAD TO HEAD (at Olympic) Played:
22 (Regular Season) Olympic wins 6, South Melbourne wins 8, Draws 8

Last Encounter: South Melbourne 6-4 home win

LAST WEEK:
Olympic 2-1 away loss Vs Newcastle;
South Melbourne 0-0 home draw Vs Wollongong

Position on Ladder: 2nd Vs 3rd

OLYMPIC SHARKS SQUAD:
C Bolton (gk), P Kohler, A Juric, W Srhoj, T Pondeljak, A Milicic, T Halpin, J North, J Porter, G Owens, Z Caravella, J Harris, A Packer, H Ishida, B Hughes (gk)

IN: A Packer
OUT: G Souris (suspended – 1 match)

SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD:
E Galekovic (gk), S Iosifides, M Durakovic, S Panopoulos,
V Coveny, P Trimboli, P Buljan, Z Susa, V Lia, N Tolios, M Murdocca, M Baird, P Kisnorbo, B Damianos, D Anastasiadis (gk)

IN: Unchanged
OUT: unchanged

Sunday, 26 January 2003 12:00 AM

At Bob Jane Stadium this evening, South Melbourne played out a scoreless draw with Wollongong Wolves. Both sides had numerous opportunities to win the game with the best chance falling to South striker Peter Buljan who hit the upright in the first half. Wollongong also had a delightful chance, as a powerful shot his the woodwork and bounced off the goal line back into play.

The game opened up in the later stages of the match but both sides could not find the back of the net. South Melbourne remain in third position two points in front of Newcastle United. South Melbourne now meet Olympic Sharks in the traditional interstate derby at Toyota Park, Cronulla.

Thursday, 23 January 2003 12:00 AM

Ron Corry’s Wollongong Wolves have had an indifferent season so far, but his side sits just three points outside the top six and is looking to maintain momentum as the NSL heads towards the finals series.

The Championship winning coach, who’s side has drawn their past three encounters, will be looking to grab all three points against South and one player who could do that for them is striker Stuart Young who has had a great season so far scoring 9 goals this season.

“Stuart Young has had a very good season. We have had an up and down season so far with no luck. Things just haven’t gone our way as games we should have won, we haven’t. We have to win this week and maintain our momentum”, says Corry.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Wollongong came from behind at half time to defeat South Melbourne 3 – 1. South coach Danny Wright is not worried about past results but rather concerned about grabbing full points while he has a full squad available for selection.

”The important thing is stability and now that we have all players available, it is vital we achieve results,” says Wright.

In mid March just before the Finals Series, South Melbourne is due to lose three players to the Young Socceroos who will take part in the 2003 World Youth Cup. Along with the trio, Wright will also miss striker Vaughan Coveny for International duties with New Zealand.

Danny Wright is also concerned about value for dominance, as South has played extremely well over the past few weeks but goals have been too few and far between.

“Our dominance is not being represented on the scoreboard. We need something to show for our dominance and that’s putting the ball in the back of the net,” says Wright

Wollongong is a competitive unit and will be difficult opponents this Sunday. Wright is not concentrating on stopping individuals such as Stuart Young but rather focussed on continuing his side’s good form.

“Wollongong is a very mobile side. They play with pace and we will be weary of them. We must continue to play our system and concentrate on the team rather than individuals”, says the South coach.

A win will see South Melbourne jump to 30 points and depending on Friday night’s clash between Olympic and Newcastle, South could either push closer to second spot or extend their advantage over fourth placed Newcastle.

In other matches concerning the top six, Adelaide City travel across to take on the Kingz, while Parramatta host bottom placed Marconi Stallions. On Saturday night Brisbane who also sits just outside the top six with the Wolves, host the Melbourne Knights.

Monday, 20 January 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne’s poor form in Western Australia continued on the weekend as the Albert Park Club went down 2 – 0 to a solid Perth line up. Despite the loss, South Melbourne remain in third position, now only four points behind Newcastle United who drew to Wollongong last night.

Danny Wright’s squad controlled most of the match as Perth sat back after German import Gumprecht scored a wonderful volley to put the home side in front. South continued playing some fluent football as the Glory sat waiting for the counter punch.

South’s best chance came in the 35th minute through Peter Buljan who got onto the end of a through ball, surpassing two Glory players and beating Petkovic. Unfortunately the South striker hit the frame of the wood work. Zeljko Susa also had a glorious opportunity but his first chance let him down as he marched inside the penalty area.

Wright was obviously disappointed with the result but was happy with the way his players persistence throughout Saturday nights Round 18 encounter.

“We realised that we will be playing Perth in the Finals Series and learnt a couple of lessons from the match. The players learnt that Perth are beatable and that we exposed some chinks in their armour which we look forward exposing that next time we go up”.

“We weren’t too disappointed with the result. We came through the match unscaved, looking forward to the next home game, where a good win will set us up for the game against Olympic in two weeks,” says Wright.

South Melbourne takes on Wollongong this week in a match of most importance for Albert Park Club. Newcastle tackle Olympic Sharks this Friday night which could see South come closer to second spot or pull away from the bottom half of the top six.

Friday, 17 January 2003 12:00 AM

The Round 25 home fixture against Brisbane Strikers, which was previously scheduled for Sunday 9 March 2003, has been rescheduled due to the 2003 Australian Formula One Grand Prix being staged in Melbourne.

The fixture was to be South Melbourne final home game before the Finals Series, but will now play the match midweek in between it’s fixture at home with Adelaide City and the Round 22 encounter away to cross town rivals Melbourne Knights.

The re-scheduled fixture will mean South Melbourne plays three matches within a week but no interstate travel will be required as all games are in Melbourne.

Friday, 17 January 2003 12:00 AM

Bill Damianos has joined his teammates today who travel to the west for the top of the table clash with league leaders Perth Glory. Bill Damianos who rolled his right ankle earlier in the week, was only half a chance in catching today’s flight but retains his spot after proving himself fit during a training session last night.

South Melbourne leave for Perth having never won in Western Australia, their best result a 0 – 0 draw in Round 13 which began an amazing run to the finals last season.

Since the Glory’s inclusion into the National League in 1996 the Blue and Whites have played on 6 occasions in Perth. South have conceded 14 goals only scoring 3 in the process with their biggest loss a 4 – 0 drubbing back in 1997.

The odds seemed stacked against the away side, but over the six seasons South’s form has improved at Perth Oval and a win may only be around the corner.

“The last time I visited Perth Oval was a 2-0 win with Brisbane Strikers so I have fond memories of the ground”, says Wright.

The away win against Sydney United which came a fortnight ago, gave Wright’s squad an extra lift leading into the home stretch of the home away season. The win took the monkey off their backs, as third placed South still has five important away matches remaining.

“The players have approached the game in a manner of real enthusiasm, as it is one of the feature matches of the NSL calander. It is not something that should be feared, it is a game we should all look forward to being a part of”, says Wright.

Perth is currently leading the competition and is 10 points in front of the Blue and Whites who will look to close the gap tomorrow night in front of over 10,000 screaming Glory fans.

With Perth still to have their BYE Round and face a tribunal hearing which may cost them three points, tomorrow night’s match becomes vitally important if South Melbourne are any chance in claiming a top two spot.

RECORD V PERTH (Perth Oval)
Season 1996/97 : 4 – 0 Loss
Season 1997/98 : 4 – 1 Loss
Season 1998/99 : 2 – 1 Loss
Season 1999/2000 : 3 – 1 Loss
Season 2000/2001 : 1 – 0 Loss
Season 2001/2002 : 0 – 0 Draw

Monday, 13 January 2003 12:00 AM

In his 100th South Melbourne and NSL game Bill Damianos scored his third goal of the season in the fourth minute, as South Melbourne defeated Northern Spirit last night.

South Melbourne started the better with Panopoulos, Susa and Damianos combining well in midfield. South Melbourne created many opportunities throughout the match but couldn’t add to their lead. The 1 -0 victory should could have been extended after a first half drinks break, as the Albert Park Club squandered four chances in four minutes.

The win has extended South’s third placed position over it’s closest rival Newcastle by 5 points and has edged closer to reigning champions and second placed Olympic Sharks who have lost their past two matches.

South Melbourne now take on league leaders Perth Glory at Perth Oval. The Lakeside’s have never before won in Western Australia, only picking up a point which came last season. Danny Wright’s squad who are currently undefeated in their past four matches. will be working hard to turn around South’s record in Perth.

Friday, 10 January 2003 12:00 AM

Date: Saturday 18 January 2003
Venue: Perth Oval
Kickoff: 7.000m WA time (10pm AEST)

Radio: 6PR 882AM 7pm live broadcast (Perth only) & Radio 3XY 1422AM (Melbourne only)

HEAD TO HEAD (Overall):
Played: 12 Perth wins 7, South Melbourne wins 2, Draws 3

HEAD TO HEAD (at Perth):
Played: 6 (Regular Season) Perth wins 5, South Melbourne wins 0, Draws 1

LAST WEEK:
Perth 1-0 away win over Newcastle
South Melbourne 1-0 home win over Spirit

Position on Ladder: 1st Vs 3rd

PERTH GLORY SQUAD: J Petkovic (gk), S Pryce, S Miller, B Hassell, D Tarka, M Horsley, J Harnwell, A Gumprecht, D Mori, N Mrdja, E Junior, B Despotovski, M Byrnes, A Caceres, V Matassa (gk)

IN: B Despotovski, A Caceres
OUT: C Deans (knee – season), G Faria (groin), A Danze (omitted)

SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD: E Galekovic (gk), S Iosifides, M Durakovic, S Panopoulos, V Coveny, P Trimboli, P Buljan, V Lia, M Murdocca, M Baird, P Kisnorbo, Z Susa, B Damianos, N Tolios, D Anastasiadis (gk)

IN: Unchanged
OUT: Unchanged

Friday, 10 January 2003 12:00 AM

Before leaving for abroad, Bill Damianos had an influential role in the centre of the park for the Blue and Whites scoring some wonderful goals and winning the 1997/98 Championship with the club.

On Sunday the attacking midfielder who’s accurate ball skills create havoc for the opposition, will play his 100th National Soccer League and South Melbourne match. He has had a terrific season thus far scoring two goals and being the producer of many more.

After the Championship triumph, the twenty-five year old left for Greece and spent time with Ist Division Club Xanthi before moving to Kallithea. Returning from Europe, Damianos spent the first few rounds on the sidelines trying to reach full fitness and after gaining some match fitness and rhythm, he suffered a hamstring injury, which saw him miss a few weeks.

“I worked hard and trained a lot to get back into fitness. It feels good to be back onto the park. I have played the last two matches and am finding some form”.

I didn’t realise it was my 100th match. It’s a great achievement and a good feeling to have played 100 matches for the same Club”, says Damianos.

Damianos, along with central midfield teammates, Susa, Panopoulos and Clarkson make a formidable line-up in the centre of the park, but with Wright playing three across the middle, the competition within the squad is sure to be cutthroat.

“The competition within the squad is healthy. Susa coming into the squad is great as he is a quality player and playing alongside Panopoulos and Clarkson who I played in a championship is great because they are the real workhorses of the team”.

“We have good depth in the squad which is vital because we need every player”.

Damianos is a crowd pleaser and entertains the Bob Jane faithful with his precision and dynamic runs forward. He will once again be an influential player as we head towards the business end of the season and will continue to shine as one the finest players in the National Soccer League.

Friday, 10 January 2003 12:00 AM

Date: Sunday 12 January 2003
Venue: Bob Jane Stadium
Kickoff: 7:00PM AEST

Radio/TV: 3XX 1611AM 7.00pm live broadcast (Melbourne only)

HEAD TO HEAD (Overall):
Played: 9
South Melbourne wins 5, Spirit wins 3, Draws 1

HEAD TO HEAD (at Melbourne):
Played: 4(Regular Season)
South Melbourne wins 4, Spirit wins 0, Draws 0

LAST WEEK:
South Melb 1-0 away win Vs Sydney United
Spirit 0-0 home draw Vs Newcastle

Position on Ladder: 3rd Vs 12th

SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD:
E Galekovic (gk), S Iosifidis, P Kisnorbo, M Durakovic,
V Coveny, P Trimboli, P Buljan, N Tolios, S Panopoulos, Z Susa,
B Damianos, V Lia, M Murdocca, M Baird, D Anastasiadis (gk)

IN: N Tolios
OUT: R Liparoti (knee – season)

NORTHERN SPIRIT SQUAD:
P Henderson (gk), J Watts, A Tobin, A Wilkinson, J Richter,
N Spencer, J Hutchinson, A Kwasnik, I Ferguson, V Tomasevic,
M Cartwright, S Bell, S Walsh, M Osman, L Acevski (gk)

IN: S Walsh
OUT: B Fisher (omitted)