Summary:
In scorching conditions, South Melbourne FC were about to secure victory against Port Melbourne Sharks SC in a low intensity, high accuracy game. South were able to use their majority possession to convert clear-cut scoring opportunities, with Guiseppe Marafioti and Luke Adams finding the back of the net. Their victory increases confidence going up against an undefeated Avondale side next Saturday at Avenger Park.
For transparency’s sake, I’d like to start this piece by saying that I was unable to attend this match between South and Port Melbourne, as I had a family commitment to attend. But thanks to the NPL’s new streaming revelation, I was able to watch it, rewatch it, and then write this match report you’re reading right now.
Before I start this piece, I’d like to share a short story about my experiences leading up to this game. Aside from the commitment keeping me from heading down to JL Murphy reserve, I also participated in the Deaf Futsal Championships (in the hearing category) which took place at both MSAC and Lakeside's futsal court between the 1-3 of March. In between games, sitting in a small cafe at MSAC, my team spotted Luke Adams ordering something at the register. We joked to ourselves that seeing him would bring us good luck. Unbeknownst to us, he would be playing a bigger role than we imagined.
Saturday afternoon was a hot day. It was very hot. So hot, in fact, that drink breaks were required during the halves to ensure the safety of the players was taken into consideration. Going in, I didn’t have a concrete impression of Saturday’s outcome. Our form wasn’t outstanding, but Port were on a losing streak, and the heat would be affecting them both. Still, the game begun, and we set out for another win. The heat took effect on play immediately, with both teams looking lethargic and an overall lack of intensity hovering over the pitch. South seemed confident with their ability to maintain and regain possession, though we weren’t creating many opportunities. Having possession was an advantage for our stamina though, as we could spend our energy (which needed conservation due to the heat) pushing forward as opposed to trying to win back possession and then attack. In order to conserve their energy, Port did not respond to our plays aggressively, which had a huge role in our tactics, as we rarely needed to counter-attack (something we have relied on previously).
Our first real shot on goal, excitingly, went in. The build up play was executed perfectly, with a Norton and Krousoratis link-up leading to a cross, allowing Guiseppe Marafioti to slot the ball cleanly past the keeper in the 26th minute. We had been pressing with the same intensity up until then, so it was good to see that we were aware of how hard we needed to press in these conditions to find and cash in opportunities. And immediately after kick-off, a dispossession and similar build up play on the opposite wing freed up George Howard to make a decent shot, which required a great save, which was given. At the first drink break, we had had four shots, three on target and one that had gone in. We were playing compelling football, and if our high accuracy and possession was to remain, we were in for a comfortable victory.
For a while, the ball was bouncing back and forth between the two defences, with no team expending enough energy to convert possession. Adams and Marshall paired well together, and their athleticism (Marshall’s slide tackle on Koroma in the 20th minute was excellent) mixed with a good interpretation of their surroundings led to strong foundations for plays to be built off of.
Around this time Port Melbourne begun to pick up the intensity, and their efforts led to an important Roganovic save, diving to his left to stop a low ball in the 30th minute. There weren’t too many shots on target for either teams, but when they were, they were incredibly threatening. We’d dropped off towards the late stages of the first half, and on the stroke of half time, one of Port’s runs led to an decent finish by Sam Ford in the top right corner. To concede Port’s first goal this season was obviously unideal, but based on the quality of our play I didn’t feel particularly nervous. We seemed more likely to capitalise on the possession we had, and held the majority of it. Historically, however, South’s halves haven’t been consistent quality wise, and our start to the second half wasn’t reassuring. Frustration from a supposed foul led Perry Lambropoulos to cause an off field incident, leading to the largest scuffle for South this season, which doesn’t say much, as it was stamped out quite quickly. It was a bizarre incident, maybe a result of the heat, but the aggression behind it from both sides was half-hearted.
For anyone questioning the consistency of Nikola Roganovic’s last few seasons, the last forty-five minutes of this match should have silenced all worries. The half could seriously be described as a flurry of excellent saves. As the roles were shifted, and Port became the majority possessor, they came out swinging, maintaining a decent shooting accuracy and increased determination. Stella and Clarke combined well and were able to make space and create clear-cut opportunities, though none were capitalised. Whether he was diving, punching or essentially flying, Roganovic continued to prevent the winner from a continually pressing Port Melbourne.
In the 54th minute, our rising star Gerrie Sylaidos was subbed off for the oncoming Marcus Schroen, at first an unexpected substitution, but it was definitely his weakest performance this season. Aside for an ambitious long shot, there wasn’t too much to report on Gerrie’s game. But there’s always a bright side, and it’s good to see Schroen gradually getting more game time each match. And the physicality Schroen brings allowed him to fight for space and create openings for his piers, highlighted in the 68th minute, where Schroen was able to disposes Valkanis and lead play to Krousoratis, who rattled the woodwork with a venomous strike.
Around this time we began to liven up, and while Stella and Clarke still caused some trouble, our runs asserted confidence. Billy Konstantinidis who was subbed on the 71st minute, has yet to make a quantifiable effect on the games he’s come into. He’s got more skill than our previous big forwards, but hasn’t been able to capitalist effectively. Not to say he’s had much game time to do so, but you’d still expect to remember some notable plays. In the 85th minute, a Norton cross found centre-back Luke Adams in the box, and good control and a masterful volley put South in the lead. A player that, hours before, had become my futsal team’s good luck charm was now the good luck charm of all of South Melbourne. We were definitely the more threatening team towards the end of the match, and it was reassuring that we were getting better at finishing opportunities. Unlike last week, and even with Port aggressively fighting for the equaliser, we remained in control until the final whistle blew, and while low scoring, ended our most convincing victory so far.
Does Saturday’s match make victory seem plausible against an in-form Avondale? Possibly, possibly not, but the signs are so far positive for the new South Melbourne FC.
Notable players: Nikola Roganovic, Marcus Schroen, Luke Adams
South Melbourne FC: 2 Port Melbourne Sharks SC: 1