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Football Federation Victoria News
Jubilant scenes as Sunshine George Cross continue their fight to stay in the Alanic VPL

Image courtesy: Daniel Flis


Sunshine George Cross last night came from being a goal down late in the second half to defeat the Oakleigh Cannons, keeping their 2011 Alanic Victorian Premier League aspirations alive.

Ricky Diaco opened the scoring in the 69th minute, after Oakleigh dominated the match up until then. Sunshine used all their substitutions, including bringing on Peter Koutsoupias, who scored soon after, levelling the scores at Knights Stadium.

Both teams continued to press for the winner, but time was against them. Then, in the 90th minute, a penalty was awarded to Sunshine George Cross, and was converted by Craig Sweeney.

The victory was Sunshine’s first since round nine, and they have now moved up to 10th spot on the ladder, ahead of the Bentleigh Greens and Altona Magic.

The Melbourne Knights have also eased their relegation pressure, defeating the Bentleigh Greens 2-0 at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Friday night.

It was a much-needed win for the Knights, who hadn’t won a game since round 15. The Knights have been thereabouts all year, but have failed to put teams away when they have had the momentum in their matches.

For the second time this season, Northcote City has defeated Heidelberg United five goals to one.

Heidelberg United’s coach, George Katsakis, and players, Luke Byles and Saso Alexovski, were all sent from the pitch in the heated encounter at John Cain Memorial Park.

Trent Rixon scored a hat trick and his 15th goal for the season, extending his lead at the top of the Alanic Victorian Premier League top goal scorers list.

For the second week in a row the Green Gully Cavaliers fought back from being a goal down to defeat Dandenong Thunder, 2-1, at Green Gully Reserve.

Last weekend, Green Gully lost Jonathan Munoz for the rest of the season after he suffered a knee injury, but Jason Hayne returned to the side following several weeks away in New Zealand.

Dandenong Thunder took the lead thanks to an early goal from Dennis Ukalovski in the 26th minute. In the end it was Green Gully’s substitutes who secured the victory for them, Joshua Groenewald (who came on in the 36th minute) scored Gully’s first in the 78th minute to equalize, and then less than five minutes later, Mathew Sanders (who came on in the 65th minute) broke away from the Dandenong defenders and scored the winning goal.

On Saturday night, Hume City continued their great form, defeating Altona Magic 3-0 at Paisley Park Soccer Complex. Coach Andy Vlahos returned to the team following a week’s absence with injury, and he headed home the first goal for the visitors.

2009 Champions, Altona Magic are in last place on the Alanic Victorian Premier League ladder on 17 points, while Hume City sits in second spot on 35 points.

South Melbourne squandered a two-nil lead and probably a spot in the 2010 finals after drawing 2-2 with Richmond on Sunday afternoon.

An early Fernando De Moraes goal lifted South’s confidence, and they looked the much better team in the first half. Their two goal buffer came courtesy of Steven O’Dor, who scored in the 34th minute. However, they were unable to contain League-leaders Richmond in the second half, with goals to Daniel Visevic and Michael Ferrante.

For all the latest Alanic Victorian Premier League news, log on to the website - http://premier.footballfedvic.com.au/ or Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/victorianpremierleague.




Last updated: Monday August 2, 2010 7:44PM

Its a possibility. Certainly would be a big fall backwards.

Last I saw, Sydney Olympic were in the relegation zone in NSW also, so 2 former powerhouses of the game could both be on their way the the 2nd division (in their respective state).

1 point from either of their final 2 games and they are safe... Even if they lose both, it would still need Altona to win their last game (and overcome a 5 goal difference), plus Bentleigh and Sunshine George Cross to pick up a couple of points each.

Altona used to be a powerhouse of the VPL. Whats gone on with them?

Same as any other club - poor management...

But the collapse does seem to be closely tied to the departure of Melissa Fischer's money.

Edited by Benjamin: 7/8/2010 11:23:48 PM

In NSW, we go by a relegation system where they take into account on how well your Reserve Grade and u18's finished. In this table, we finished 3rd last, being in front of West Sydney Berries and Rockdale Suns.

4-2 win for the Knights today - safe and sound for another year. Danny Tiatto announced his retirement after the game.

Thank god. I still have two teams to watch. :P

They still would have existed - you just would have had to watch them in State League Div 1.

Thank you for that. What my post should of said was
"Thank god. I still have two teams to watch in the VPL".

Which league, out of the VPL and NSWPL, is considered a better standard?

I hear conflicting reports, usually because they are biased, but from matches I have seen, I found it hard to split them.

Well according to Pablo Cardozo who has played in both Leagues recently, he believes the standard of the NSWPL atm is better. FNSW has REALLY picked up its act a lot. FFV just sounds fucked.

Haven't seen any NSWPL live so can't comment on which is better on the pitch. NSWPL appears to have VPL beaten hands-down off the pitch though.

Yeah, FNSW really does seem a better run organisation, even having TV shows on commercial networks (Football Stars of Tomorrow) to push its product. All we hear from FFV is internal bickering and legal challenges.

Off the park, I have heard some average things from clubs up there too, comparitive to our clubs down here. Everyone seems to be struggling.

The only Clubs atm struggling in the NSWPL is Wollongong and Bankstown Lions. The other 10 Clubs are fine.

I heard another club president on the Insight program come out and say they were struggling too. I can not remember the specific club, but it was in the NSWPL. He was making comments regarding the nature of clubs and their struggles to survive.

Thats what I based my comments on.

I think most VPL clubs are doing ok, with a few exceptions.

They're a 'community club' though arn't they now? :?

Mind you, they've had like 50 name changes over the last 2 years it wouldn't surprise me if they're under a different name now.