Greens a pre-season challenge

JULIUS ROSS | January 24, 2012 12.01am

STATE champion South Hobart can expect challenging hit-outs when they welcome Victorian Premier League outfit Bentleigh Greens to Hobart for two pre-season encounters this weekend.

Greens coach John Anastasiadis will bring a squad of 15 players to Hobart, including former Perth Glory trio Anthony Skorich, Scott Bulloch and Andrija Jukic who have featured in the A-League.

The side will also bring Luke Pilkington, who won the 2009 edition of Foxtel's Football Superstar, earning him a professional contract with Melbourne Victory.

South will face the Greens at 6pm on Friday and 3pm on Saturday at Darcy Street, with both sides likely to trial different line-ups in the matches.

"These matches will be part of our pre-season training and will be treated seriously and we expect a tough contest," Anastasiadis said. "We are into our third week of pre-season. Intensity is high and a number of our players will be trying to establish themselves into our first eleven.

"It's a great opportunity for us to develop a relationship with South Hobart and to have some competitive games as part of our pre-season."

Bentleigh finished eighth in the 13-team VPL last season, but has a strong squad likely to provide a test for South.

South coach Ken Morton has praised the Greens for visiting Tasmania, following fellow VPL outfit South Melbourne who flew to Hobart last year for two pre-season fixtures.

"I expect it to be similar to when we faced South Melbourne; playing against a good footballing side which is fit and strong and will play with a lot of intensity," Morton said.

"I hope it improves our fitness and team play."

South has lost a number of first-team regulars, including captain Daniel Brown, but has gained new firepower in the form of Bobby Eaves, Choi Kyong Ho and Will Abbott.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/01/24/294741_soccer.html