The final round of the 2013 Victorian Premier League season comes with finals places still undecided, and another Greek VPL derby on everyone’s lips as Port Melbourne Sharks welcomes South Melbourne on Sunday.
After being overplayed by the Greens from Bentleigh (4-1) last weekend, Green Gully carved out a victory over Oakleigh Cannons when they met in a mid-week catch-up fixture on Wednesday night.
In the round 22 this weekend, Green Gully will host Dandenong Thunder at Green Gully Reserve. If the Cavaliers win against the Thunder, the finals is certain for them. The side from Green Gully who hasn’t missed finals since 2001 recently defeated the Thunder 3-1, in the State Knockout Cup Final.
In round 21, the reigning champion Dandenong Thunder lost 0-2 to Port Melbourne Sharks and will not be part of finals after dominating them in 2012 VPL.
In a bottom of the ladder match, Pascoe Vale will host Richmond this weekend. Pascoe Vale will enter the match coming out from a surprise win away to Oakleigh in Round 21, while Richmond lost to Dandenong Thunder in their catch-up fixture on Wednesday night, sealing their spot in the bottom two this season.
In round 21, Richmond met with Southern Stars, in a match officially recorded as a ‘no result’, after Victoria police swooped on Southern Stars after uncovering a match fixing syndicate influencing betting and play.
Again, a big Greek VPL derby is on schedule on Sunday as Port Melbourne Sharks host South Melbourne at JL Murphy Reserve. A fourth versus fifth game will answer some big questions – will Port Melbourne play VPL finals after a 10-year absence? Will South Melbourne make it to the finals under coach Chris Taylor?
Though happy with the way the season transpired, Sharks coach Eric Vassiliadis says the team gearing up for a huge challenge this week, and can only evaluate the season once the curtain closes.
The Sunday game at home with South Melbourne is of huge importance for both sides. A win against South Melbourne will guarantee Port Melbourne the finals, as fourth placed. With the win over Sharks, Chris Taylor’s side could still possibly miss the final five. South Melbourne will enter the match as fifth on the ladder, now with the same number of points as Green Gully (28). If Green Gully manages to win Dandenong Thunder, a win to Port Melbourne will not guarantee South Melbourne boys a spot in the final.
“From neutral’s perspective, when you look at the round 22 being a cut throat match between Port Melbourne and South Melbourne, I think it’s something to get excited about. From our perspective, we are prepared tactically for it, we are going to prepare psychologically and emotionally for what is going to be huge high-stakes game,” Vassiliadis told Neos Kosmos.
“Emotionally, our team has got over the shock of the Southern Stars situation, that has taken a little bit of energy out the whole week. We are full strength both from suspension and health perspective and we are ready to go.”
Vassiliadis is still a hard person to please and won’t take anything for granted.
“There is absolutely no consolation in us not making top five. When we prepared at the start of the year we knew we were putting together an ambitious and quality side, so if we don’t achieve some success this year we’ll be disappointed. There is no doubt that the broader fabric of the club would be happy with what we have already achieved, but from our plain group perspective, we got higher aspirations,” Vassiliadis said.
In round 21, South Melbourne drew with Northcote City (1-1). The Hercules Boys, who will welcome Hume City in this round, however managed to secure the well deserved minor premiership. Now the ladder gap between Northcote and second placed Knights has increased to four points.
Before having a week off in the first round of finals, coach Goran Lozanovski may decide to rest players in the lead-up to the finals.
After being scheduled to travel to Southern Stars on Sunday, Bentleigh Greens decided to forfeit both seniors and U21s scheduled matches at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.
Now John Anastasiadis is looking to secure a friendly match to finalise their last round.
On Sunday, Melbourne Knights will host Oakleigh Cannons, after carving out a victory to Hume City in round 21 (2-1). The Knights will finish second and play in a semi-final against Bentleigh Greens next weekend, regardless of other results. Since defeating Bentleigh six weeks ago, last year finalists from Oakleigh have recorded only one win.
