The inaugural edition of the Australian Championship has completed another milestone with its official launch in Sydney, wherein the participating clubs came together to mark the dawn of a new chapter in Australian football.
Coaches, players and other officials of the 16 teams attended the launch event organised by Football Australia and held at APIA Leichhardt’s home ground of Lambert Park on Tuesday evening (23 September).
Neos Kosmos was able to speak directly with the Hellenic background club representatives and Greek Australian coaches that will feature in the coming tournament, who shared the collective excitement felt by everyone present for the beginning of the competition.
The Hellenic spectacle
The representatives of South Melbourne and Sydney Olympic (who are in Group A) expressed great enthusiasm at being part of the launch, while also sharing anticipation for their upcoming battle on 10 October at Lakeside Stadium that will kick off the new competition.
“It has been an exciting day. Obviously, it is something we have been looking forward to and something we want to be part of on a national stage,” said South Melbourne coach Sinisa Cohadzic, who was in Sydney alongside General Manager Strati Xynas and captain Marco Jankovic.
“This is the beginning of the new chapter for us.”
Addressing the opening game against Olympic, Cohadzic noted:
“It is a rivalry that goes back many years. There is no better way to start this new competition.”
Jankovic highlighted the joy felt by the players present in getting to know everyone ahead of the tournament, while saying it is “an exciting time” for them all.
He admitted that the honour of being part of the competition’s first game has not been lost on the players, saying it is a surreal moment and a massive privilege.
“The club has done a lot of work behind the scenes to lay these foundations for the competition so for them it is a reward and for us it is very exciting. As a player, you want to play on this stage and to have all the eyes on us for round one is going to be very exciting,” Jankovic said.
“We are looking forward to it, looking forward to hosting their fans and to have our fans come out. We are going to have lots of Greek music, food, all that sort of stuff. A very exciting time for both clubs.”
Full Circle moment
Olympic coach Labinot Haliti emphasised the excitement at the launch is a small taste of what is coming up, including the opening game spectacle against South Melbourne which represents a full circle moment for him.
“It is quite unique. I think games like this don’t come very often and there is definitely something on the line for the supporters and everyone involved,” Haliti said.
“Funny enough, I made my debut for Olympic as a player against South Melbourne back in 2002,” he said, adding his pride to be able to represent the club once more against “Hellas” as a coach this time.
Olympic captain Ziggy Gordon stated his immense joy the competition is right around the corner, and his deep interest to finally get it kicked off on the pitch.
“When you come here, you have to pinch yourself. It has been a real long time planning, a long time coming, but it is coming and it is real,” Gordon said.
Regarding the opening match with South Melbourne, Gordon noted:
“It is an honour, it is a privilege. It is pressure, but I enjoy pressure so bring it on.”
The Olympic captain stressed that they will try to not let the historic nature of the match interfere with their preparations.
“I’m trying not to think about it. I’m sure hours before the game is when it is going to start ramping up, but I’m just looking forward to the first whistle…We implore everyone to come see a fantastic spectacle.”
Battle of the Greek Aussie coaches
A distinct Hellenic flavour also characterises Group B with two of the premier Greek Australian coaches in John Anastasiadis and Peter Tsekenis to face off through their respective sides of Heidelberg United and Marconi Stallions.
Anastasiadis called it a “privilege and an honour” to represent “Alexandros” and launch the new competition at Lambert Park, a ground he has great history as a player and coach.
“To be here again and, I suppose, being on centre stage again, it is really an honour for all of us and we can’t wait for this tournament to start,” he said.
“I played here in the late 80s, even coached here against Sydney Olympic back in the 2014 Australia Cup. It’s great to be here. A lot of fond memories from the playing days, makes me feel like putting on the boots again even though my back’s gone,” he said.
Tsekenis highlighted the great pleasure with the competition, which has brought together many clubs and individuals who were part of the old National Soccer League (of which he also played).
“Seeing people today I haven’t seen for years, who are involved with interstate clubs, I think it is fantastic. I just hope we get the support. SBS covering it is going to be great. We are just all looking forward to it,” the Marconi coach said.
The SBS factor and tournament expectations
SBS’s involvement was universally praised by everyone present, with the collective opinion being that football is returning to its spiritual home.
“I don’t think there is a single football fan who saw that and wasn’t excited about it,” Haliti said.
“SBS is known forever in our game and the people that have come through there and the passion, the knowledge they have…you can’t put it into words.”
Jankovic and Gordon both agreed that it is a great development that will help bring national attention to the competition.
“It’s the spiritual home of football here in Australia and for them to back these clubs and this competition, it is second to none,” Jankovic said.
“Hopefully they will be here for many years to come,” Gordon said.
The coaches all expressed their goal is to get the players ready for the competition and ensure they appreciate it.
“This is happening for the first time and to be part of it, you have just got to embrace it and enjoy it. Hopefully they look back when they finish their career and say to themselves ‘this was a special moment’,” Haliti said.
Speaking directly on how they will approach it from a competitive standpoint, the Olympic manager said:
“These are one-off games and that is how you have to treat them. In a one-off game, anyone can win it. We will just focus on one game at a time. Every game will be like a final.”
Cohadzic explained that fan enjoyment will be the key focus for them.
“We want to excite our supporters. We want to make everyone come and watch us and ride the wave with us,” the “Hellas” coach said.
“We want everyone to believe in this game going forward that it can bring joy to everyone and at the same time, excite everyone around and begin a new chapter of the game in the country.”
Tsekenis stressed the confidence he has in his players who have lots of experience in big games, noting his role will be to keep them prepared and ready to attack the competition.
“My focus will be to make sure to get them organised and ready to give it a good crack, as well as ensuring they enjoy it,” the Marconi manager said.
“I won’t go into any competition and say ‘we’ll try our best and see how we go’. We have to reach for the sky, and we will be aiming to win it.”
