NPL Victoria men’s: Steve Tsalikidis – The safety and well-being of the fans is our top pr
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
There are some matches that stop time, freeze your breath, and ignite passions. Such is the clash that awaits us on Friday night. At 7.30pm, in the Matildas’ home in Bundoora, Alexandros will host the Preston Lions for a match steeped in history, passion, and a hefty dose of rivalry.
The decision to hold the match in Bundoora has sparked chatter within Victoria’s football community, particularly amongst the fans of both teams.
We spoke with Alexandros’ president Steve Tsalikidis, to understand the reasons behind this decision.
“There are certain games considered high-risk. There are five or six of them in the league, and this one between our team and Preston happens to be the first of the season. There was only one way to hold the match at our ground, and that was to move it to Sunday afternoon. The police weren’t available that day, so we turned to the Bundoora option,” he said.
The United president stressed that the Bundoora solution shouldn’t be seen as a permanent fix.
“We’ll be doing work on our ground to ensure we can host matches like this in the future. We’re the first to want to see our team play at home, but we’re also responsible for the safety of the fans. As much as we want to play in Heidelberg, the safety and well-being of both sets of supporters is the priority for everyone involved.”
We asked Tsalikidis what he thinks about his team and their goals this season.
“We’re a new team still building. The boys are still getting to know each other, but under the guidance of John Anastasiadis and the coaching staff, I’m sure they’ll form a very strong group. I think the first half against St Albans was a taste of what to expect from them. I hope we show a similar face on Friday and come away with the win.”
On the team news front, it seems John Anastasiadis isn’t facing any major headaches ahead of the Lions clash. The experienced gaffer is expected to field a starting eleven very close to the one he put out in the previous match against St Albans.
The away side are living and breathing for this match. It’s their first opportunity this season to prove they rightfully belong back in the Victorian top flight.
It’s a given they’ll have the backing of their loyal supporters. A football-mad crowd that follows the club everywhere, painting the terraces across the state with colour and passion.
Let’s hope we see a match that lives up to the hype.
In Oakleigh, at the traditional football fortress of Jack Edwards Reserve, the local Cannons are set to clash with the Melbourne Knights. The match is scheduled for Friday night, kicking off at 8.15pm.
The reigning champions are clearly on the upswing. They’re a squad that needs time to gel and start showcasing their on-field qualities as a team.
Chris Taylor and most of his players possess vast experience in these high-stakes encounters.
While the Knights may have started the season on the wrong foot, they remain a threat to any opponent.
The “Knights” will travel to Oakleigh aiming to cause an upset. The home side must be sharp and clinical on the pitch if they want to secure all three points.
Meanwhile, in beautiful Port Melbourne, the Sharks will host Green Gully.
The tough fixtures keep coming for the “Sharks” who are still searching for their first win after three rounds.
The “Greens” are in a similar boat. They’ve managed two draws and a loss from their first three games, adding a derby-like intensity to the match.
The action for our Greek Australian clubs concludes with the clash between Hellas and St Albans Saints.
Esteban Quintas side is eager to return to winning ways after their thrilling 3-3 draw against Melbourne Victory last Monday, a match that had everything.
South Melbourne appears to be hitting their stride. They know how to grind out results, display impressive composure and stability in their play, and look poised for another season of challenging at the top.
St Albans Saints are not to be feared. They’ve started the season with two losses and a draw. They’re not a bad team, but they seem unable to define clear roles for their players, resulting in a disjointed performance lacking balance, intensity, and tactical nous.
VPL1
The action kicks off on Friday night with Eastern Lions hosting Northcote City. The Greek Australian side, Northcote, are hungry for three points to stay hot on the heels of league leaders Western United.
Kingston City are also on their travels this week, facing Caroline Springs George Cross. The “Reds” are determined to bounce back after their draw against Langwarrin. However, they face a tough challenge against a gritty Caroline Springs side known for their work rate and footballing nous, capable of troubling any opponent.
The clash between Melbourne Srbija and Bentleigh Greens at Kevin Bartlett Reserve could be dubbed a local derby. This match has caught the eye of local football pundits, as both teams are considered among the most intriguing in the division. Solid squads with experienced players, talent, and a burning desire for victory and recognition. George Katsakis’ “Greens” are looking to build on their impressive 5-0 win over Eastern Lions last week and will be eager to hit the ground running, aiming to catch their opponents cold and seize an early advantage.
The action for the Greek Australian clubs concludes on Saturday afternoon with Langwarrin hosting Brunswick City. Leonidas (Brunswick) are aiming to return to winning ways after their draw against Western United. However, they face a daunting task. The home side is a formidable unit, a well-drilled and tight-knit team with players who leave everything on the pitch. The visitors will need to combine tactical discipline with immense passion if they want to get anything from the match.
VPL2
Box Hill’s Pythagoras will be looking to continue their upward trajectory this week. The Greek-Australian side managed to secure a crucial derby victory against Nunawading last week, filling them with optimism for the rest of the season. Their opponents in this fourth-round clash will be Pascoe Vale. The match is scheduled for Friday night at 7:30 PM and will take place at Pascoe Vale’s home ground, Hosken Reserve.
Pythagoras are riding high after their derby win, and they’ll be keen to build on that momentum. However, Pascoe Vale at home is always a tough ask. Expect a hard-fought contest with both teams looking to assert their dominance. Pythagoras will need to be at their best to secure another three points on the road
NPL – Schedule
Friday 28/2
Heidelberg United – Preston Lions 7.30 PM
Dandenong City – Hume City 7.45 PM
Port Melbourne Sharks – Green Gully 8.15 PM
Oakleigh Cannons – Melbourne Knights 8.15 PM
Saturday 1/3
Avondale – Melbourne Victory NPL 3.00 PM
Altona Magic – Dandenong Thunder 6.15 PM
Monday 3/3
South Melbourne – St Albans Saints – 7.30 PM
NPL – Standings
1. Avondale 3 9
2. South Melbourne 3 7
3. Preston Lions 3 7
4. Heidelberg Utd 3 6
5. Oakleigh Cannons 3 4
6. Dand Thunder 3 4
7. Hume City 3 4
8. Altona Magic 3 4
9. Dand City 3 3
10. Melb Knights 3 3
11. Mel Victory NPL 3 2
12. Green Gully 3 2
13. St. Albans 3 1
14. Port Melb Sharks 3 0
VPL1 – Schedule
Friday 28/2
Eastern Lions – Northcote City 7.30 PM
Saturday 1/3
Caroline Springs – Kingston City 6.00 PM
Melbourne Srbija – Bentleigh Greens 6.30 PM
Langwarrin – Brunswick City 7.00 PM
Sunday 2/3
Melbourne City NPL – Moreland City 3.00 PM
Western United – Manningham United 4.00 PM
Monday 3/3
Bulleen Lions – North Sunshine Eagles 8.30 PM
VPL1 – Standings
1. Western Utd 3 7
2. Northcote 3 7
3. North Sunshine 3 6
4. Bentl Greens 3 6
5. Bulleen Lions 3 6
6. Brunswick City 3 5
7. Manningham 3 5
8. Melb City 3 5
9. Kingston 3 4
10. Carol Springs 3 3
11. Melbourne SRBIJA 3 2
12. Langwarrin 3 1
13. Eastern Lions 3 0
14. Moreland 3 0
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