This week’s round 14 of Victorian Premier League will see Greek sponsored teams battle it out at the Lakeside Stadium, when South Melbourne hosts Bentleigh Greens on Sunday.
The previous round was an interesting one, with Northcote City dropping points for the second week in a row, Oakleigh Cannons keeping their new form with coach Miron Bleiberg looking on, and South Melbourne playing a draw with Southern Stars. High-flying Bentleigh Greens played a scoreless draw with reigning champions Dandenong Thunder, who entered the game under their new coach Stuart Munro.
Round 14 started with two newly promoted VPL sides on Friday evening, Port Melbourne Sharks travelling to Pascoe Vale. The Sharks entered the match with caution, after their 10th on the ladder opponent played a draw with mighty Northcote City (1-1) last weekend.
The encounter with the Sharks in a home game was an opportunity for Pascoe Vale to try and interrupt their unbeaten status in the away matches of Eric Vassiliadis’ boys this season – but they didn’t manage to do so, as Sharks carved out a 3-2 win.
The game was a great opportunity for Port Melbourne to consolidate in the top sides on the ladder, after losing against the Cannons 2-0 last week, while it was also held goalless in a friendly, losing 1-0 to Melbourne Victory on Tuesday night.
On Sunday, Hercules boys of Northcote City will be looking to get the winning streak back, when they travel to Melbourne Knights’ ground on Sunday. The Melbourne Knights have reached fourth spot on the ladder after a win over Richmond last weekend, while Northcote dropped points again, in the second consecutive week, after a 1-1 draw at home with Pascoe Vale. Hercules boys are still seven points in front of the second-placed Bentleigh Greens.
In the match against in-form young side Melbourne Knights, Northcote City won’t be allowed any inconsistencies – which means they’ll have to cover the loss of suspended star James Kalifatidis.
Hume City, who put themselves back in the top three last week, after a 2-1 victory away to Green Gully, will welcome Southern Stars on Sunday. The hosts won’t have an easy task, however, after the bottom-placed Stars played a draw with South Melbourne (2-2) in round 13.
The VPL Greek derby will be played today, Sunday, when seventh placed South Melbourne host Bentleigh Greens at their Lakeside Stadium.
With new winning coach Chris Taylor taking over the helm, South Melbourne didn’t manage to pick up in round 13 of Victorian Premier League, coming out of the match with bottom side Southern Stars with one point only.
This Sunday’s Greek derby won’t make the situation any easier for the new coach to taste a win with the South Melbourne side, as they meet with John Anastasiadis boys.
“I think our expectations from this game is to put in a solid performance which will allow us to get the 3 points. We haven’t won for a while so we will be looking to win because we know the teams below us are catching up very fast,” Greens’ head coach John Anastasiadis told Neos Kosmos.
To strengthen their second position on the ladder, Bentleigh Greens need a win at the Lakeside Stadium on Sunday.
“I am ok with our form but I believe our results aren’t the best. We should have at least 4,6 more points but red cards have cost us. When it comes to Sunday game, I have a pleasant headache where all players are available,” Anastasiadis told Neos Kosmos on Friday.
Greens played a scoreless draw with Dandenong Thunder last weekend.
Round 14 Fixtures
Hume City vs Southern Stars, Sunday 21 July 3.00 pm, Broadmeadows Valley
Park Melbourne Knights vs Northcote City, Sunday 21 July at 3.00 pm, Knights Stadium
South Melbourne vs Bentleigh Greens, Sunday 21 July at 3.00 pm, Lakeside Stadium
