Sydney Olympic defeat South Melbourne in Lakeside opener
3.500 spectators made the opening of Lakeside Stadium even more special with a host of dignitaries on show in what were great conditions for football.
South Melbourne?s boutique stadium was part of a $60 million redevelopment nearby Albert Park Lake which features a large electronic scoreboard and screen, floodlights, upgraded dressing rooms, two stands which seats around 8000 fans ? it is estimated that the capacity of the new pitch can hold up to 15,000 spectators.
The match itself saw Peter Tsekenis? men tackle Peter Tsolakis? men in what was a classic former National Soccer League battle.
South Melbourne hit the lead in the first 30 seconds of the match as former NSW Premier League player and 2011 Victorian Premier League Gold Medal winner Jason Trifiro scored an impressive goal on his debut with the club.
Olympic equalised in the 22nd minute after some great build-up play by David Gullo assisted Will Angel who made it 1-1.
New Sydney Olympic recruit and promising youngster Marco Sama then made it two-one following a corner in the 32nd minute with the 2011 Grade 20?s Player of the Year celebrating his first goal for the club after his move from the Marconi Stallions.
The half-time whistle blew as the first half came to a close in what was an action packed thus far.
The second half saw South Melbourne press and yet another new recruit Trent Rixon, a lethal Victorian Premier League marksman, scored on his debut putting the game to 2-2.
Olympic were to have the last laugh however as twelve minutes from time a trademark Chris Triantis free-kick sent the visiting Sydney supporters into raptures as the game ended 3-2 to the NSW Premier League outfit.
During the course of the match Olympic were dealt with a massive blow as impressive young midfielder Peter Triantis was injured with many on the pitch suspecting it to be a broken leg ? fortunately for Triantis x-rays showed later in the evening that it was severe bone bruising.
South Melbourne sported a few familiar faces in their line-up as apart from Jason Trifiro, his brother Glen Trifiro was also part of the squad as was goalkeeper Zaim Zaneli who took on his former club.
Tsekenis? starting line-up for the game was quite familiar with Paul Henderson, Emmanuel Giannaros, Ibrahim Haydar, Brett Studman, Jerry Kalouris, Chris Triantis, Peter Triantis, David Gullo, Will Angel, Marco Sama and skipper Phillip Makrys headlining the Olympic side.
-By Mark Stavroulakis
