South edge Heidelberg to setup Oakleigh clash

South Melbourne has overcome rivals Heidelberg United in a entertaining Elimination Final at SS Anderson Reserve thanks to a late penalty save by goalkeeper Zaim Zeneli. The victory means that South has now setup a mouth watering clash with Oakleigh Cannons who were defeated by Hume City 4-3.

What many thought would be a free flowing game of football and an attacking display by both sides turned out to be the complete opposite as chances were very limited with sides battling hard in midfield. In the early goings it was Heidelberg who was putting pressure on its opponents; attacking and searching for an opportunity to strike. However it was to no avail as Carl Recchia and young defensive midfielder Steven Topalovic did well to counter all United efforts.

In the 15th minute South came close to an opener as Steven Weir was played through well by Tom Matthews however he could only manage to find the side netting. The closest the visitors came to breaking the deadlock was through a long range effort from Steve Martin, who’s powerful strike was inches over the bar. The scores remained scoreless at the break, and from what was seen in the opening 45 minutes, it seemed very likely that extra time will play a role in this contest.

The first chance of the second half fell to Heidelberg’s Evan Christodolou in the 50th minute, his header hitting the crossbar following a great delivery by Osagie Ederaro. Only minutes later it was South who was on the attack as Daniel Vasilevski sent a great cross from the left which Les Doumbalis almost headed into his own net. Lucky for United it only hit the post.

In the 66th minute South Melbourne finally opened the scoring. Weir was fouled just inside the area allowing Jesse Krncevic to step up and score the resulting penalty sending Rhyss Kepne the wrong way. Heidelberg players were disappointed with the referee’s penalty decision as they were adamant the foul was outside the area.

With the visitors needing a goal it was the home side who was piling on the pressure in an attempt to seal their spot for next week. In the 84th minute South were down to ten men as Sebastien Petrovic earned his second yellow card after a tackle on Andrew Nabbout.

A mere minute later Heidelberg was handed a golden opportunity to equalise as South goalkeeper Zaim Zeneli brought down Osagie Ederaro in the box. Armenian stepped up to take the spot kick however Zeneli made amends for his error seconds earlier as he correctly dived to his right to save Armenian’s poorly executed penalty. This proved to be the last chance of the contest.

South Melbourne live to fight another day as they will now face Oakleigh Cannons next week in another Elimination Final while Heidelberg's promising season has come to a disappointing end.

SOUTH MELBOURNE 1–0 HEIDELBERG UNITED (0-0 HT)

ELIMINATION FINAL

South Melbourne: Zaim ZENELI , Tom MATTHEWS, Rhodri PAYNE, Steven O’DOR, Daniel VASILEVSKI, Steven TOPALOVIC (Trent WATERSON 45 min), Carl RECHHIA, Jesse KRNCEVIC, Steven WEIR ( Kyle JORYEFF 90+1 min), Daniel DRAGICEVIC (Yannis GALANOS 74 min), Sebastian PETROVIC


Heidelberg United: Rhyss KEPNE , Les DOUMBALIS, Craig ELVIN, Luke BYLES, Steve MARTIN, 18. Osagie EDERADO, Shaun MCILROY (Andrew NABBOUT 72 min), Evan CHRISTODOLOU, Yarod HAILEMELKOT, Saso ALEKSOVSKI, Hamlet ARMENIAN