Huge win to get one over Auckland. Three points and showed the Kiwis that we can take it up to them. Failure to win would have handed Auckland a psychological boost. We started well and those 2 goals in the first half set up the win. That goal from Pasquali was a cracker. Most annoying part was that we conceded just before halftime. After that we just focused on holding on to that lead. I must admit that Auckland side is quick.

Still can’t believe that Yuki was booked for a clear foul on him outside the box, and how was the other incident not a penalty when our player had his head nearly taken off !

Nervous moments at the end but glad to get the win and start off with 3 points.

Upfront we are struggling with Swibel. I’ve tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but we need a better striker upfront.

Now we focus on South Island United on Saturday. Win that one and we have qualified for the semi finals.

southmelb said:

That prick of a ref changed the momentum of the game with the Uchida yellow for diving, clear foul and a free kick outside the box to try make it 3-0. Then the game turns.

We have a clear advantage on set pieces but at ground level they look quicker than us.

Card trouble will come into play in the 2nd half hopefully we end it with 11 men.

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That referee was a shocker. Some poor decisions that thankfully didn’t cost us in the end.

If we can finish on top we will likely play a Bula or Soloman kings in the semi, you'd take that anyday especially in Auckland.

I've observed the first sign of weakness in our team, we find young quick ball moving teams uncomfortable to play against. Melb city youth and Auckland reserves make the likes of Preston and st albans look like they are playing in slow motion.

Swibel is dead set killing us, you can see the midfield 2nd guessing themselves when they win the ball because he offers little movement and option. He is big part of the "slow' problem.

The positive is we are probably only 2-3 moves short in the transfer window from being complete.

southmelb said:

If we can finish on top we will likely play a Bula or Soloman kings in the semi, you'd take that anyday especially in Auckland.

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Definitely want to avoid Auckland in the semis. Playing in Auckland will mitigate the advantage that the Solomon Kings had on their conditions in Honiara. They would also have just played a tough match 3 days prior, whilst we would have an 8 day break.

The OFC would want Auckland in the Grand Final to ensure a crowd and interest in the home city.

southmelb said:

The positive is we are probably only 2-3 moves short in the transfer window from being complete.

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If we can pull off at least 2 quality additions that address some of our weakness, we’ll be well placed for the remainder of the NPL Victoria season.

southmelb said:

Inglese is not a good fit at RB.

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Auckland kept trying to hurt us on his side. Sinisa made the change to move Giannakopoulos to the backline and push Inglese forward to neutralise that.

southmelb said:

Only Dovison and Burchmore would still be here.

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The fact that O’Sullivan, Lackay, Pope, Coveny, and Charlston are in Auckland means it is confirmed that the U23s will face Heidelberg.

SMFC1959 said:

The fact that O’Sullivan, Lackay, Pope, Coveny, and Charlston are in Auckland means it is confirmed that the U23s will face Heidelberg.

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We have to assume they're all staying there for the rest of the month as well.

SMFC1959 said:

Auckland kept trying to hurt us on his side. Sinisa made the change to move Giannakopoulos to the backline and push Inglese forward to neutralise that.

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compared to inglese giannakop is better but he can also be a liability at the back and a huge loss in the midfield ..

About swibbel its been said abive and before by all of us..... messi rooney and especially that attrocious dribble attempt turnover almost turned into solid attack while he just watched and walked...

Cox was interesting bc where he clearly shouldve been getting game time over the last weeks looked like he was lacking it today..a first touch that is normally ok and a good confident dribble today looked totally off in the time he played...

SMFC1959 said:

The fact that O’Sullivan, Lackay, Pope, Coveny, and Charlston are in Auckland means it is confirmed that the U23s will face Heidelberg.

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I dont get why though..A bit unecessary and has left us really light here for no reason really not that any of the above wiuldve made a difference if here.

The Community Shield is also on the line Friday night..

I agree. Absolutely no need to have 22 players in Auckland. Coveny, Pope, Lackay and one of the 2 backup keepers shouls be here. Its not about winning, of course we are still gonna lose, but having a few bigger bodies and experience would help the young guys. With O'Sullivan in Auckland we are actually weaker than the Oakleigh game.

We could legit lose by 8 goals on Friday.

Hellenic_blue&white said:

compared to inglese giannakop is better but he can also be a liability at the back and a huge loss in the midfield ..

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Agree - we lose some of that quality in the centre of midfield when Giannakopoulos moves to defence.

I would have preferred that Sinisa started O’Sullivan rather than Inglese today. Inglese is not a Right Back.

Inglese did well for our 2nd goal but really when it counts we need painter andrews back, we need his speed.

southmelb said:

I agree. Absolutely no need to have 22 players in Auckland. Coveny, Pope, Lackay and one of the 2 backup keepers shouls be here. Its not about winning, of course we are still gonna lose, but having a few bigger bodies and experience would help the young guys. With O'Sullivan in Auckland we are actually weaker than the Oakleigh game.

We could legit lose by 8 goals on Friday.

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Agree. It makes no sense to have so many players over in Auckland. It’s an added expense we don’t need to incur.

Coveny, Lackay, Pope, Menelaou, Singh, and Shalamanov-Trenkov should be back in Melbourne to face Heidelberg. That would have helped the U23s players immensely in taking on Heidelberg. As you said, it’s not get a win but to minimise the loss to just 3 goals.

We are literally going to have a combined U20s/U23s team. Friday night may get real ugly quickly.

SMFC1959 said:

Agree. It makes no sense to have so many players over in Auckland. It’s an added expense we don’t need to incur.

Coveny, Lackay, Pope, Menelaou, Singh, and Shalamanov-Trenkov should be back in Melbourne to face Heidelberg. That would have helped the U23s players immensely in taking on Heidelberg. As you said, it’s not get a win but to minimise the loss to just 3 goals.

We are literally going to have a combined U20s/U23s team. Friday night may get real ugly quickly.

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I'm not quite sure about that, Heidelberg are very hot and cold, never know, might get them on an off day.

What happens if south lose the next game in this New Zealand league? Do they still move to semi finals or are they knocked out?

Oakleigh said:

I'm not quite sure about that, Heidelberg are very hot and cold, never know, might get them on an off day.

What happens if south lose the next game in this New Zealand league? Do they still move to semi finals or are they knocked out?

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They are not going to be cold against a team of kids.

South plays 2 more games. One on Saturday and another next Tuesday, one win is needed to make the semis.

South cant be knocked out. If you finish 4th you have to play an extra game to make the semis. South ideally wants to finish 1st or 2nd to avoid Auckland again until the grand final.

https://www.ofcproleague.com/news/south-melbourne-fc-earn-hard-fought-win-over-auckland-fc/

Two goals in two minutes from South Melbourne FC sealed a 2-1 win over Auckland FC on the opening match day of Round 6 in the OFC Pro League Leaders Group.

It was Hellas' first victory over the league leaders this season, following a 1-1 draw in Melbourne and a 3-2 defeat in Fiji, with the two title favourites going head-to-head at the earliest possible opportunity after the league split.

Jacob Eliopoulos opened the scoring in the 21st minute, rising to head home from a well-worked corner with South Melbourne's signature set-piece delivery once again on point. Sebastian Pasquali doubled the lead only two minutes later, meeting a driven pass from the right and finishing low into the bottom corner, as Auckland FC struggled to find a foothold in the match.

The New Zealand side remained resilient however and responded through a sharp counter-attack, winning possession in midfield before a neat pass from Matt Ellis found Zac Zoricich, who pulled one back shortly before half-time.

It finished off a stop-start opening half, with four yellow cards shown, as both sides tried to stamp their authority on proceedings, knowing a win would put them in a strong position to secure a semi-final place next week.

Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek








It set up a tense second period, as Luke Casserly’s side applied early pressure in search of an equaliser, while South Melbourne looked to extend their lead - both teams creating chances in the opening exchanges but failing to convert.

A heavy collision between Yuki Uchida and Auckland FC captain Michael den Heijer saw the pair clash heads inside the box, forcing the latter off with an injury. The tempo dropped as the half progressed, with both teams searching for a crucial goal, but struggling to test either goalkeeper.

Auckland FC upped the intensity as the clocked ticked over into stoppage time, desperate to find an equaliser, but meeting fierce resistance from a resolute South Melbourne FC backline.

The Australian side held on to secure the three points, with the result setting up an enticing clash with South Island United at Eden Park, while Auckland FC look to re-group when they take on Bula FC in two days time.

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Auckland FC: 1 (Zac ZORICICH 41')
South Melbourne FC: 2 (Jacob ELIOPOULOS 21', Sebastian PASQUALI 23')

HT: 1-2

Best part of last nights game was Siki doing his cross after the Yuki yellow card...