The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) Greek team defeated the Somali team last Sunday in a thrilling quarter-final clash as part of the Knox City Football Club's "All Nations Cup".
The "All Nations Cup" competition brings together teams comprising of players representing their country of birth or their parents’ origin. This competition brings together teams comprising of players representing their country of birth or their parents’ origin.
Greece vs Somalia
Having gone down to 10 men after receiving a red card in the 8th min of the match, the players fought heroically and eventually scored the winner in the 85th min thanks to a beautiful goal by Zois Galanopoulos.
The 'Somalia' team had the better of the first half as it took the 'Greece' team some time to adjust following the red card. They managed to get to the halftime break, still level at 0 0. They gave coaches George Katsakis and Con Tangalakis the opportunity to reset the team and attack the second half with a different formation. The players came out after the break and controlled the half straight from the whistle and didn’t allow Somalia anytime to settle.
They were rewarded with the winning goal and have advanced to the Semi Final next Saturday, 12/11/22, at 2:00 pm against Italy.
Coach Katsakis couldn’t hide his emotions after the match stating, “To concede an 8th min red card and fight the way we did today speaks volumes of these boys. I’m just so proud of them and what they’ve achieved so far in the tournament and look forward to the semis now against Italy”. Michael Karamitos, Vice President of the Greek Community, was delighted with today’s outcome, stating:
“From the first training night when we gathered all the players together, I knew we had something special on our hands and to make it to the last 4 of the competition is a reward for effort. I wish them all the best in the semis.”
Bill Papastergiadis, President the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), who has been there for every match of the tournament, jumped euphorically after the final whistle. “The Greek team showed enormous spirit and passion today. The Lads played for their Greece jersey with pride. This passion was no more evident in the rooms following the match, where the boys sang their song loudly and fervently.
Uniting players from so many clubs is what we hoped to achieve as a Greek Community, and all of this is due to our coaches and supporters as well as our sponsors, Steve Tsalikidis and Chris Pavlidis. I hope we have a big crowd at next week’s semi against Italy”.
Captain Peter Skapetis was rightfully exhausted after the game but still managed to belt out the Greek theme song in the dressing room after the game.
“We were on the back foot from the start of the game following the red card, but to adjust the way we did proves this side is resilient and has what it takes to go all the way and win the tournament. I look forward to our next opponent Italy in the semi-final next Saturday, and I encourage as many people as possible to come and support our team “.
