Scenes from the class struggle

How much does a souvlaki cost at Doxa Yarraville? Well, if memory serves me correctly, about $6. Add in a drink, and you're probably close to the $10 mark, with change to spare to buy a raffle ticket. So why was Heidelberg president Nick Katsakis handing out $100 dollar notes to one of his new English recruits during the Hellenic Cup? Especially considering that it's not general practice to pay players during the pre-season? And what would those players from previous years who have allegedly not been paid - such as diehard Alexandrino Tony Ouliaris, who went on what seemed like a heartfelt and justified rant on Facebook late last year - have to say about the matter. I'm guessing they wouldn't be too happy. Thanks to the person with the camera and quick reflexes to take the photo. Of course, this is a warning that there by the grace of Zeus go I - or as one of the Beastie Boys put it, be careful what you mock, because one day you might become it.

And sometimes you lose - Bentleigh win Hellenic Cup on penalties

We certainly had lour chances in this game, but it ultimately came down to the lottery of the penalty shootout - and despite having two shots to win it, we couldn't put either of those shots away, and thus had to settle for the runners up cheque. Pity. Some good sign though - Eddie Cetkin surprised many with a very good game in defense in particular.

Hellenic Cup finals on tomorrow

At Kingston City's ground, The Grange. Our Under 21s are involved, playing against Heidelberg, at 10am, if you can be bothered going. Our women (can we still call them that?) are not involved - they've lost some key players, though the main team pushed Heidelberg in the semis last week. The senior men are playing against Bentleigh at 6pm. It's our fourth final in 5 years - a then state league 1 Bentleigh knocked us out in the quarter finals at The Grange in 2008. Bentleigh were the last team to win back to back Hellenic Cups. Four teams have won the tournament in successive attempts - Northcote (1984-85), Oakleigh (1987 and 1990), Port Melbourne (1994-95), and Bentleigh (1996-97 and 2002-03). In the great scheme of things, this tarted up pre-season guff isn't worth much. But we're here now, the prizemoney's good, and it's a very nice trophy.

Phil Taverna Testimonial Game - South Melbourne 2 Heidelberg 0

Good enough I guess, efficient enough when we needed to be, and they gave up after the second goal, mostly, after putting in a decent effort before that. On to the final next week against either Oakleigh or Bentleigh.

South Melbourne 3 Northcote 0

Reasonably comfortable victory - our better finishing was my major factor in the scoreline taking that shape, but we generally also controlled the midfield in a rather messy game. Next up is the semi final on Saturday, 4:30, against either Heidelberg or Lalor.

Hellenic Cup update

We'll be playing Northcote in the quarter finals on Wednesday at Yarraville. Winner of that plays the winner of the Heidelberg vs Lalor match. In less relevant news, having nothing better to do,  I was at Yarraville today and ended up having a chat with former South youth player and cult favourite Lester Abalos' mum. She has heaps of pride and passion, I'll give her that.

South Melbourne 10 Keon Park 0

Pretty much as you'd expect considering the massive gulf in divisions. We'll probably finish top of the group now, meaning we'll very likely play Northcote next Wednesday. Or in the very unlikely event that we finish second in our group, we'll probably play Heidelberg next Thursday. But I'd recommend keeping the evening of Wednesday 10th open.

South Melbourne 5 Lalor Florina 0

Better. Much better. A little bit more intensity, and a lot more polish and class. Most if not all of the goals were tap ins, but that doesn't matter, because the foundation play was better. Our final group game is on Tuesday, against provisional league outfit Keon Park

Some people think I may be overreacting

Of course our season, the main part of it, is not over. It hasn't begun yet. The point being though, that performance was shithouse. And what's more, we've embarrassed ourselves on a global scale. One of the recent hits to this blog has been from some French betting blog.  Some of the translated comments from that site. 

There may be had too paris before this match live on the taste of the book. I know they have safeguards to prevent the abnormal things.

Result: 2-2 apparently.

Absolutely, however you found that teddy?

c good thing we did not have live so if the result says is correct teddy

indeed, thank you teddy. Huge section

Other matches for today?

 

Absolute Fucking Disgrace! South Melbourne 2 Essendon United 2

Firstly, well done to Essendon United. They certainly deserved the draw; hell, I wouldn't have begrudged them the win. They ran and hustled and put their bodies on the line. They showed no fear and played clever football. Simple stuff, but effective. It makes you think what Altona East could have done if they'd given a shit last week.

Now, in about a month's time, I'm going to be put to sleep for an hour or two, and have my wisdom teeth taken out. I'll wake up groggy, I won't be able to nuts, seeds and fried rice, I'll be doped up on whatever pills they give me, it'll cost me a mint, I'm going to have to have to miss the South season launch, but I can guarantee it'll be a far more pleasant experience than having to endure that crap.

I don't care if half our boys were reserves. My anger would not be abated even if it was the full reserves. The 2nd best reserves outfit in the state should still be able to comfortably beat a just promoted state 3 team playing their first game for the year. But did we go in for 50/50s? Were we at the fall of the ball? Could we complete five metre passes with any sort of consistency? Could we shoot even half decently from the 6 yard box? No. Did we attempt ridiculously ambitious passes through a clogged up midfield and over a bumpy field? Did we cponstantly give the ball to small players with their backs to goal? Does this sound so much of the past three seasons? Yes.

For fuck's sake, I even offered their keeper $50 and whatever credit's left on my myki card. Fine, it's a cup game, upsets happen, I get that. It happened to Oakleigh last year vs Lalor in the 3rd place playoff last year. And that's who we play on Saturday. But that was criminal. To barely create any chances? To give up goals so easily? To play with the ball like smartarses when we were still at 2-2? Fuck that shit.

South Melbourne 2 Altona East 0

Pretty poor first half, though to be fair, the opposition created nothing of note. Second half much improved despite some atrocious finishing. We were gifted our opening goal, an opposition keeper stuff up early in the second half, and from there on we were squarely in control of the game. I also saw bits and pieces of some other games, some guy semi-randomly try and punch out another bloke, and ended up directing some lost souls towards the venue - what they were doing out at the Western Oval is anyone's guess. Souvlakia not great, hamburgers not too bad. Next up Essendon United on Thursday night.

South's Hellenic Cup defence begins tomorrow

At Yarraville, against Altona East, 5pm.

Hellenic Cup 2010

A title to defend. We've been grouped in the North/West section, which this season is actually in the north and/or west. Yarraville to be more precise. Whose ground is actually in Spotswood. They have better souvs than Bentleigh at least, and their proximity to my place is a cause for celebration. As for the fixturing, you can head to the website for all the rest of the organisation's games - our women are apparently fielding two sides in opposite side of their draw. It does not appear to be the most difficult draw in the world - mind you, there is a paucity of Greek backed teams in state 1, and the VPL teams have been kept away from each other as you'd expect.

Sunday January 24th
South Melbourne FC vs Altona East
Kick Off - 5pm

Thursday January 28th
South Melbourne FC vs Essendon United
Kick Off - 7pm

Saturday January 30th
South Melbourne FC vs Lalor
Kick Off - 5pm

Tuesday February 2nd
South Melbourne FC vs Keon Park
Kick Off - 7pm