The scratch match that was scheduled for tonight between ourselves and South Hobart has been canceled or postponed due to the inclement weather down in Hobart. In the meantime, please enjoy this piece by Tasmanian football blogger and journalist Walter Pless, looking at a previous trip by South to the Apple Isle in 1986 - there's some nice photos in there as well.
There are so many interesting coincidences when one looks at football history.
This is even the case in Tasmania.
South Melbourne Hellas first visited Tasmania in 1986 to play Olympia at KGV Park. That was before the administration building was constructed at KGV Park. In one of the above photos taken at the time of that visit, one can see the skeleton of that building in its early stages.
Former Greek international John Margaritis had been appointed coach of South Melbourne in 1980 and again in 1986.
Margaritis had, in fact, coached Olympia for a season before moving to Victoria.
He was replaced at South Melbourne in 1982 by former Manchester United manager Tommy Docherty.
Docherty had actually played in Tasmania in 1965. He was manager of Chelsea when they toured Australia that year.
Chelsea beat Tasmania 12-0 at North Hobart and Docherty put himself on in the second half and scored a penalty.
The Olympia team that played South Melbourne in 1986 was coached by current South Hobart supremo Ken Morton.
Alan Davidson, the Australian international who had just returned from Nottingham Forest, was a member of the South Melbourne squad that met Olympia at KGV Park, but he did not play.
He had played for the Socceroos against Tasmania at KGV Park in about 1984.
Ange Postecoglu, the Brisbane Roar coach in the A-League, was also in the South Melbourne team against Olympia and he is shown in the team photos above.
South Melbourne coach Eddie Krncevic, 50, is looking forward to this week’s visit to Hobart and is hoping for good attendances at the games.
Krncevic, born in Geelong, played professionally in Croatia, Germany and Belgium and represented the Socceroos 35 times, scoring 17 goals for his country.
“I’m quite excited about the visit,” said Krncevic from Melbourne today. “The last time I was in Tasmania I was only 14.
“I haven’t been back since. I’m excited about it and I’m looking forward to having a look to see what’s available, to see what’s happening in Tasmania and to establish a good working relationship with the clubs and people in Tasmania.
“I think it’s important because I think Tasmania has been neglected.
“I look forward to seeing what sort of talent the boys have got to offer. Yes, I’m excited.
“It’s a preparation for my players. We’re bringing a mixture of young ones and senior ones in a squad of 19 players, with two goalkeepers.
“Some of my players will fly in on Saturday as they’ve got work commitments.
“It’s a fairly competitive team and it’s our pre-season so I’m looking to hopefully play my best team, especially on Sunday, but fielding a strong team in every game we play.”
No comments:
Post a Comment
A few notes on comments.
We've had a lot of fun over the years with my freewheeling comments policy, but all good things must come to an end. Therefore I will no longer be approving comments that contain personal abuse of any sort.
Still, if your post doesn't get approved straight away, it's probably because I haven't seen it yet.
As usual, publication of a comment does not mean endorsement of its content.