Category: News

South Melbourne take on defending A-League Champions Sydney FC in a highly-anticipated semi-final encounter at Lakeside Stadium for a chance to  be the first non-A League side to head into the FFA Cup final.

South Melbourne

After a disappointing loss to the Bentleigh Greens in the semi-final, the boys were able to turn it around against their quarter-final opponents Gold Coast City away from home with an emphatic 6-0 victory over the hosts’ last month. Now coming up against defending A-League Champions Sydney FC at Lakeside Stadium, the 2016 Victorian NPL Champions will be striving to prove that they belong in the A-League when the two teams meet at Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday night.

Sydney FC

Coming from a very impressive 8-0 victory over Darwin Rovers courtesy of four goals to Bobo, last year’s FFA Cup runner’s up were able to showcase themselves why they are the real deal in the quarter finals after defeating defending champions  Melbourne City 2-0 at Leichhardt Oval. Now coming up against the 2016 Victorian NPL Champions and following a narrow 1-0 victory over Melbourne Victory in Round 1 of the 2017/2018 A-League season, Sydney FC will be striving to showcase why they are the real contenders to take out this year’s FFA Cup away from home.

Head to Head

This is the first meeting between the two sides.

Please find below all you need to know on the match details for the Westfield FFA Cup Semi Final between South Melbourne FC and Sydney FC.

Pre-Match Entertainment

Given the significant media attention and excitement that has surrounded this fixture, South Melbourne FC is recommending to all patrons to arrive early in order to avoid queues and gain a smooth entry into Lakeside Stadium.

Tonight is a celebration of all that is South Melbourne FC. Prior to kick off, we will be holding a parade of champions of all our junior male and female teams as we celebrate and acknowledge their successes. Furthermore, we will also be celebrating our SMFC U20s 2017 Men’s Champion team, and our 2017 NPLW Victoria champions as well.

Stadium Entry Points

Both Gates 1 and 2 will be open from 5.30pm.

2017 SMFC Social Club members will enter through the Futsal Court entrance, as is the case on regular NPL Victoria matches.

Patrons who have purchased or seeking to purchase General Admission tickets should proceed to either Gates 1 or 2 to gain entry.

Ticketing

Ticket entry prices for the Westfield FFA Cup semi final against Sydney FC are as follows:

General Admission Adult – $25
General Admission Concession – $15
General Admission Children aged 5-12 – $10
General Admission Children Under 5 – free
2017 SMFC Social Club Members – $10

Please note that SMFC 2017 Season Pass holders will need to purchase General Admission entry tickets, as their membership will not provide discounted entry to the match. In addition, 2017 SMFC Social Club members will also need to present their current membership card with their online ticket purchased.

It is strongly recommended that you pre-purchase your match tickets for the fixture in order to avoid any queues, and to make your entry into Lakeside Stadium as smooth and comfortable as possible. You can purchase your tickets at www.smfc.com.au/tickets.

Food and Beverage

The 1959 Bar and Grill (SMFC Social Club) will be open from 5.00pm.

In order to accommodate the anticipated large crowd, South Melbourne FC will be operating four food and beverage stations around Lakeside Stadium, which will include both grandstands. Patrons will be able to purchase food and beverages from the 1959 Bar and Grill at any point throughout the evening.

Parking

The car park outside Lakeside Stadium has a capacity of 500 spaces, which does not take long to fill up on match days. If you do wish to drive to the match, then it is strongly recommended that you arrive early to secure a car park spot. Parking is also available along Clarendon Street, Aughtie Drive and Albert Road.

Public Transport

For those seeking to travel to the match by public transport, Lakeside Stadium is near two tram lines that are all within easy walking distance:

Route 96 (East Brunswick to St Kilda Beach) – Stop 129
Route 12 (City to South Melbourne/St Kilda) – Stop 131

Traditionally, our biggest strength that turns Lakeside Stadium into a fortress are the fans and members of this great club. We need your support to become the first non-A League club to qualify for the Westfield FFA Cup Final.

Go South !

South Melbourne secured the championship after a thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout against Geelong Galaxy United at ABD Stadium on Sunday.

In what was a packed ABD Stadium, South Ambassador Lisa De Vanna was able to open the scoring for South after firing one into the back of the net finding in the 19^th minute.

The girls were able to find their second through an unstoppable header by Natalie Martineau as the girls held a 2-0 lead at half-time.

In an entertaining second half, Geelong Galaxy United were able to peg one back through a Spiranovic penalty in the 59^th minute.

Geelong Galaxy United were able to find the equaliser through a thunderous strike by White into the back post as the scores were level at 2-2 in the 72^nd minute.

However despite two goals in quick succession by Galaxy United, south were unlucky not to score their third for the match after Greiser’s header hit the crossbar in the 80^th minute.

Caitlin Greiser was looming dangerous up front for South after being denied again by the crossbar in the 83^rd minute.

The girls were playing attacking football and were unlucky not to get their third after De Vanna’s shot hit the upright in the 87^th minute as the games went into extra-time with the scores level at 2-2.

The girls started the better of the two teams in extra-time with Greiser finally able to find the breakthrough after finding the net at the back post in the 93^rd minute as the girls held a 3-2 lead.

Galaxy United didn’t   go down without a fight after finding the back of the   net courtesy of Al-Huneidi in the 108^th minute.

Greiser had a chance to bury the match for South, but her shot was well saved by the Galaxy keeper in the 113rd minute.

Galaxy United had their chance to score the winner after a long range shot almost found its way in the 115^th minute.

Plyer of the Game Tiffany Eliadis had a chance to score for South, but her shot was cleared off the line in the 19^th minute as the match went into penalties.

In what was a nailbiting penalty shootout at ABD Stadium, Greiser was able to convert the penalty as the girls secured a thrilling victory to cap off a stellar WNPL season.

 

 

South Melbourne FC can confirm that it host 2016/17 A-League Champions and Premiers Sydney FC in a mouth watering Semi Final Clash on Wednesday October 11th.

Due to South being the only Member Federation Club left in the draw, the club will automatically host the match at Lakeside Stadium.

The club is finalising all ticketing arrangements, with an official announcement to be made later in the week regarding ticketing.

Stay tuned to our website and social media channels as more information comes to hand.

South Melbourne meet Gold Coast for the second time at CBUS Stadium, with both teams striving to make it into the Semi-Finals for the first time in their club’s history.

South Melbourne (LLWLL)

After finishing in second position on the ladder, South Melbourne were unable to make their third consecutive GF appearance after losing in penalties to the Bentleigh Green’s in this year’s Semi Final. With their minds now focused on their FFA Cup Quarter Final clash against the Gold Coast after despatching Sorrento 4-1 in the Round of 32, the 2016 NPL Victorian Champions will be looking for revenge following their loss to the Gold Coast in a thrilling penalty shootout from two years ago when the two teams meet at CBUS Stadium on Wednesday night. 

Gold Coast (WWLLL)

The Gold Coast had an excellent season in the Queensland NPL competition finishing second on the ladder despite three consecutive losses in the past three matches. After a 3-1 win over the Western Knights in the FFA Cup Round of 32, the hosts’ will be striving to repeat their feat against the NPL Victorian Champions  two years ago in the FFA Round of 32 when they meet at the same venue on Wednesday night for a place in the FFA Cup Semi Final.

Head-to-Head

The last time these two sides met was in the FFA Cup Round of 32 in 2015 where Gold Coast City defeated South Melbourne 8-7 in a penalty shootout at CBUS Stadium.

 

 South Melbourne secured a 4-2 victory over Calder United at Lakeside Stadium in the Semi-Final on Saturday afternoon to move into this year’s NPLW Grand Final.

Calder United started brightly in the first half, with Cindy Lay chipping the keeper from the edge of the area to open up the scoring 67 seconds into the match.

The visitors were unlucky not to get a second after hitting the crossbar then the upright in the 7^th minute as the girls trailed 1-0 at half time.

The ladder leaders started the better of the two teams in the second half, with 21 year old superstar Tiffany Eliadis tucking away Alexandra Gummer’s cross in the 61^st minute.

Just three minutes later, talented youngster Melina Ayres scored South’s second to extend the home side’s lead to 2-1 in the 64^th minute.

Calder United were unable to get one back after a goal clearance rebounded for an open net goal in the 72^nd minute as the match went into extra time.

Two minutes into extra time, Ayres with a delightful turn into pass Natalie Martineau pushed it into the back of the net as South held a 3-2 lead in extra time.

With a 3-2 lead in extra time courtesy of Natalie Martineau, Ayres was able to score her 40^th goal for the season with a superb run and a lucky finish as the girls finished with a 4-2 victory over Calder United at Lakeside Stadium.

SMFC take on Calder United in the Qualifying Final at Lakeside Stadium with South Melbourne striving to continue on their winning ways after coming from a 2-0 victory over Geelong Galaxy, while Calder is coming from a narrow 2-1 victory over Alamein last weekend.

South Melbourne (WWWWW)

Coming from an impressive 9-0 victory over Senior NTC, the girls were able to secure a 2-0 win over Geelong Galaxy courtesy of two first half goals to Ayres in the fifth minute and De Vanna in the 35^th minute. Now securing the minor premiership after their important victory over Geelong Galaxy, the girls will be looking to secure a Grand Final spot when they meet Calder United for their second consecutive match at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Calder United (LWWWW)

Calder United have had an impressive five weeks with four wins in the past five matches. Coming from an impressive 7-0 victory over Bayside United,  Calder United secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Alamein FC courtesy of a second half goal to Binning in the 75^th minute. The visitors will be striving to cause a stir at Lakeside Stadium with an important win in the Qualifying Final on Saturday afternoon.

Head to Head

The last time these two teams met was in Round 21 where South Melbourne and Calder United secured a 2-2 draw at Lakeside Stadium.

South Melbourne have won two of the past three matches against Calder United.