The home defeat at the hands of Alexandros (Heidelberg United) with a score of 0-3 proved to be the final blow for the Hellas Latin American coach, Esteban Quintas.
According to our information, Quintas submitted his resignation immediately after the final whistle of the match against Heidelberg United. The truth is that the South Melbourne coach’s demeanour was at the very least strange both before and during the match. Upon the teams’ entrance onto the pitch, he greeted all the club staff around the playing area, embracing them for several seconds. During the match and after the final whistle, he maintained a completely unusual and, contrary to what we have been accustomed to for so many years, calm demeanour. It appears that decisions had been made even before the match against the “yellow-blacks” kicked off.
Heidelberg United cruised to victory at Hellas’ home. The “yellow-blacks” didn’t break a sweat throughout the match. Characteristically, the hosts only managed two shots on target in the entire ninety minutes – a performance bordering on catastrophic for a club of South Melbourne’s stature.
John Anastasiadis’ team truly did as they pleased on the pitch. They were a constant threat in and around Hellas’ box, creating continuous danger and simply exposing the problems plaguing Hellas beneath the surface of a potential escape from defeat.
The second half was a different story altogether. The visiting players seized every opportunity around the box, converting their chances into three beautiful goals and leaving Lakeside Stadium with all three golden points of victory. This win, their fifth in a row, sees Alexandros looking unstoppable and ready to go all the way this year. The 0-3 shoreline at Hellas’ home is a resounding message that Alexandros sends to both their rivals and friends, and John Anastasiadis’ “army” is showing no mercy to any opponent. The only certainty is that the next few days will be exceptionally interesting, and Neos Kosmos will be here to bring you all the latest news from the NPL world.
It appears nothing can put a brake on the Oakleigh Cannons’ relentless march through the NPL Victoria championship. Chris Taylor’s “Cannons” are in formidable attacking form in recent weeks. Their latest victim was the hapless Dandenong City.
The “Thunder” visited the blue and white neighbourhood of Oakleigh on Friday night with one goal in mind: to avoid a thrashing. They failed spectacularly.
The home team did as they pleased on the pitch. They barely broke a sweat, opening the scoring as early as the 4th minute through the in-form Knowles. Just nine minutes later, centre-back Jacob Tratt made it 2-0, forcing Dandenong City’s coach, Nico Tolios, into an early substitution in a desperate attempt to stem the tide of the Cannons’ attack. It didn’t work, however.
The visitors’ players looked lost and out of their depth, seemingly unable to put a leash on the home side’s attacking prowess, and as a result, they conceded three goals – a merciful scoreline in the end.
The unstoppable Joe Guest teed up a delightful ball for his partner in crime, Alex Salmon, who calmly slotted it past the opposition’s goalkeeper to make it 3-0 and secure yet another emphatic victory for his team.
It was a beautiful footballing display from Chris Taylor’s side, who look more ready than ever to achieve back-to-back championships – their second title in two years. We’ll see if anyone can put a spoke in their wheels on this dream run.
The fate of the Sharks looks increasingly bleak this season. The Port Melbourne-based club finds itself in a very difficult situation. Their competitive slide shows no signs of stopping, and the dreaded scenario of relegation is taking shape with each passing week.
Last Friday, the “Sharks” (Nea Hellas) hosted Hume City. A good team, but not one that should intimidate any side in the league.
The visitors did as they pleased on the turf. They opened the scoring as early as the 12th minute through Robert Harker and doubled their lead just twelve minutes later with Okane. Nea Hellas managed to reduce the deficit in the 44th minute through Thomas Alisandratos, temporarily lifting the spirits of the Greek Australian team.
The hosts showed some fightback in the second half, pushing to find an equalizer. However, their hopes were dealt a blow in the 84th minute when Mouyette was sent off, abruptly ending any momentum.
The only change in the final minutes was the final score, as Hume City added a third goal. Joel Russel made it 1-3 in the 87th minute, putting the final nail in the coffin for the home side.
Elsewhere, in a one-sided affair, league leaders Avondale thrashed Altona Magic 4-0. While it’s still very early in the season, it’s fair to say that the Italian Australians, along with Alexandros (Heidelberg United) and, of course, the champion Cannons appear to be the main contenders for this year’s title.
VPL1
The historic Leonidas (Brunswick City) were the big winners in this rounds highly anticipated derby against Pancyprios.
The Brunswick based team put on a spirited display on the pitch. They seemed to have read George Katsakis’ team’s game plan perfectly, delivering an exceptionally effective performance and ultimately leaving the ground victorious with a 2-0 scoreline. With this win, the home side managed to climb to third place in the standings, just two points behind Bentleigh Greens and a mere five points adrift of league leaders Melbourne City.
VPL2
Pythagoras secured a significant and hugely important victory at their home ground. The team from beautiful Box Hill hosted the always dangerous Goulburn Valley Suns with a clear focus on victory. Despite a difficult but ultimately rewarding contest, they managed to grab the solitary goal, which proved enough to bring smiles back to the faces of the Greek Australian team’s supporters.
A standout player for the home side was Agustin Casco. The attacking midfielder of Pythagoras was simply breathtaking. He did as he pleased on the pitch, showcasing a level of football that belongs in higher leagues.
NPL – Results
Melbourne Knights – Dandenong Thunder 0 – 3 (36′ H. Jalloh [Π], 44′ D. Clark, 53′ T. Van Amerongen)
Port Melbourne Sharks – Hume City 1 – 3 (44’T. Alisandratos – 12′ R. Harker, 24′ J. Okane, 87′ J. Russell)
Oakleigh Cannons – Dandenong City 3 – 0 (4′ J. Knowles, 13′ J. Tratt, 65′ A. Salmon)
Avondale – Altona Magic 4 – 0
St Albans Saints – Green Gully 1 – 2 (59′ L. Byrns – 16′ A. Abdallah, 82′ J. Hope)
South Melbourne – Heidelberg United 0 – 3 (58′ A. Lesiotis, 70′ J. Roach, 84′ A. Yokoyama)
Melbourne Victory – Preston Lions (This match will be played on Monday night)
NPL – Table
1. Avondale 10 27
2. Oakleigh Cannons 10 22
3. Heidelberg Utd 10 22
4. Dand Thunder 10 22
5. Preston Lions 9 14
6. Hume City 10 14
7. Green Gully 10 12
8. Mel Victory NPL 9 11
9. St. Albans 10 10
10. Dand City 10 10
11. South Melbourne 10 9
12. Melb Knights 10 9
13. Altona Magic 10 7
14. Port Melb Sharks 10 6
VPL1 – Results
Brunswick City – Bentleigh Greens 2 – 0
Langwarrin – Eastern Lions 1 – 2
Manningham United Blues – North Sunshine Eagles 1 – 1
Caroline Springs George Cross – Melbourne City 3 – 6
Western United – Melbourne SRBIJA 3 – 1
Kingston City – Northcote City (This match will be played on Monday night)
VPL1 – Table
1. Melb City 10 26
2. Bentl Greens 10 21
3. Western Utd 10 20
4. Brunswick City 10 19
5. Bulleen Lions 9 16
6. Northcote 9 15
7. Carol Springs 10 15
8. Manningham 10 12
9. North Sunshine 10 11
10. Kingston 9 10
11. Eastern Lions 10 8
12. Langwarrin 10 7
13. Melbourne SRBIJA 10 5
14. Moreland 9 5
