South too good for Moreland

Kyle Joryeff
Photo: Goal! Weeekly

South Melbourne were too good for newly promoted Moreland Zebras at the new Lakeside Stadium as South defeated the Zebras 4-0.

A first-half Kyle Joryeff brace gave the hosts the lead into the break before Jason Trifiro and Dimi Hatzimouratis scored late to put the cherry on top.

The first game at Lakeside Stadium started slowly with the first real chance not coming until 14 minutes when Nace Kosmac fired wide from outside of the box for the visitors.

South Melbourne’s best chance in the opening minutes came from a Glen Trifiro corner which Luke Byles reached but headed wide.

On 25 minutes South took advantage of their next chance when Kyle Joryeff was played in by Jason Trifiro before finishing powerfully past Griffin McMaster.

South’s next chance also resulted in a goal. Trent Rixon played in Joryeff whose first effort was saved well by McMaster before Joryeff finished the rebound.

Just before the break Raymond Lally was looking to grab one back for the Zebras but his long drive was comfortably saved by Peter Gavalas in goals for South.

Right on half-time Brad Norton pushed forward from fullback and got into a good position but fired high and wide from an acute angle.

Early into the second-half Rixon had a great chance to score South’s third but the former Northcote forward’s effort was fantastically cleared off the line by William Abbott.

Former South forward Steven Weir next tested Gavalas from distance but the ‘keeper on his South debut made a good save.

On 59 minutes Vincent Faherty for the visitors had their best chance so far on the volley but fired wide.

Faherty had another chance later in the half but the Irishman’s effort was well parried by Gavalas who was putting in a great shift on debut.

With time ticking down Jason Trifiro made it 3-0 with a nice low finish into the bottom corner.

Fernando De Moraes was given a great opportunity to extend the lead from a free-kick but McMaster denied the Brazilian with a great diving save.

Jason Trifiro (Front)
Photo: Goal! Weekly

Just before stoppage-time substitute Dimi Hatzimouratis made it 4-0 with a finish after another ball from the right.

In stoppage time Hatzimouratis was looking for a brace but blasted over.

South Melbourne coach Peter (Gus) Tsolakis was pleased with his side’s performance in his first game in charge. “Yeah it’s pleasing that we got the three points, being our first game at home that was our main objective. We had a game plan where we didn’t want to concede any goals because we knew we got the players to create chances and it worked to plan.”

Moreland Zebras coach Dominic Barba believed his side didn’t come to play. “We just didn’t come to play, simple. When we started to put some pressure on them and when we were able to do a job we were expected to do, we created three or four chances in the second-half but we didn’t capitalize and to their good fortune they did and they were better on the day.”

Match Details:

South Melbourne: 1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 4. Steven O’ DOR, 6. Dimi TSIARAS, 9. Trent RIXON (8. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS 66’), 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Brad NORTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 15. Fernando DE MORAES, 23. Jason TRIFIRO, 25. Kyle JORYEFF (20. Gianni DE NITTIS 53’)

Substitutes Not Used: 17. Matko BUDIMIR, 22. Philip PETRESKI, 21. Jason SALDARIS

Goals: Joryeff (25’, 33’), J. Trifiro (84’), Hatzimouratis (86’)

Yellow Cards: Joryeff (11’)

Moreland Zebras: 1. Griffin MCMASTER (GK), 2. Chris GROSSMAN, 3. Raymond LALLY (13. Brandon DEFINA 71’), 4. William ABBOTT, 7. Stuart NICHOLSON, 8. Carl RECCHA, 9. Vincent FAHERTY, 11. Steven WEIR, 14. Jungho KIM (5. Dejan RADOJICIC 59’ (12. Luka REARDO (66’)), 15. Ersin KAYA, 19. Nace KOSMAC

Substitutes Not Used: 18. Nelson SALVATORE, 21. Phillip PETROVSKI (GK)

Yellow Cards: Lally (12’)