Tuesday, 11 March 2008 1:24 PM
Over the years, South Melbourne has been blessed with so many great players representing the club. Whilst many joined South from overseas (such as the likes of Alun Evans and in more recent times Fernando), many have also left South to pursue their dream of playing football overseas.
In a new series on smfc.com.au, we will keep all fans updated on how our former players currently playing overseas are faring in their respective leagues.
Michael Petkovic is the South Melbourne Team of the Century goal keeper. Since leaving the club in 2002, ‘Petka’ has made a huge impact on the Turkish Super League, with outstanding performances for Trabzonspor and Sivvaspor over that period. His 2007/8 season has been mixed, where he has featured in a dozen league games for his side Sivvaspor to date.
On the weekend against Ankaragucu, he scored an extremely bizarre goal, where he launched a long kick up the field of play, with the ball clearing the entire defence in the process, including the opposing goalkeeper (who had ventured out of his area) before rolling into the back of the net. Sivvaspor are now only one point off the top position in the league, with a Champions League position for both the club and Petka well and truly a reality.
In England, Patrick Kisnorbo has established himself as one of the finest defenders in the English Coca-Cola Championship, with a solid season to date. He has started on 34 occasions for Leicester City in the league, as well as playing a star role in the side’s Cup competition fixtures. As well as proving himself as a strong defensive player that does not give his opponents any time to relax, ‘Paddy’ has also proven to be a capable and quite dangerous goal scorer from set pieces, netting 4 goals as well as providing a big presense up front for set pieces.
After an injury-riddled last few weeks, Patrick is expected to return to first team action this week as Leicester travel to Southampton in a must-win contest.
Former South junior Paul Giannou has continued to impress in the Greek Super League, despite not playing for his side Apollon Kalamarias on the weekend. Giannou is a highly rated junior and the 18 year old is expected to one day represent the national team on the world stage.
Michael Baird is playing for Universitatea Craiova in the Romanian First Division and the former South Melbourne striker has scored on five occasions for his new club. Baird played for South in the 2002/03 NSL season and is best remembered for his explosive start to that season, including scoring a double for the club in their memorable 6-4 victory against arch rivals Sydney Olympic, with one of those goals being a volley.
Finally, ex South defender John Tambouras has found himself playing for Drogheda United in the Irish Premier League.
Should anyone have further information on South Melbourne players playing aboard, could you please email the club at media@smfc.com.au with details.