By Jarrod Potter
THE next challenge will be met proudly by South Springvale when it takes the field for its inaugural Dockerty Cup final.
The miracle run of the Aris’ contingent earned the Warner Reserve residents a ticket into the elimination soccer tournament final following an heroic 9-8 penalty shootout victory over St Albans Saints last month.
St Albans was the third NPL side the Aris had defeated after knocking over Pascoe Vale and Hume City in earlier rounds.
When asked about his side’s chances in the final on Thursday, South Springvale coach Bill Lambropoulos was upbeat about their prospects.
“Everyone is available, everyone is keen and everyone is eager, so the decision will be pretty hard for me,” Lambropoulos said. “I’m a bit anxious about it all – big, big moment for the club and we’re going to give it our best shot.
“I said to the guys at training on Tuesday – it doesn’t matter what happens on the day, they need to enjoy the day – soccer is a game of enjoyment not misery.
“It’s a fantastic achievement and I don’t want them to feel threatened – even if the result doesn’t go their way we’re still very proud of them all.”
Lambropoulos knows his side comes in as underdogs once again, but the Aris boys relish the tough challenges and treat every win as a season-defining triumph.
“I’ve watched them twice – it’s going to be a very, very hard game – we know we’re the underdogs and know that from the outset,” Lambropoulos said. ”
“We know every game in this competition is going to be tough and we have treated every match like a cup final and we’ll treat this one the same.
We’ll go in with the same mentality and if it comes our way, that’s great, but if it doesn’t, that’s fantastic as well.
Lambropoulos was weighing up whether dynamo midfielder/striker Ricky Diaco will start, but confirmed his former Melbourne Victory star will play a big part in the clash.
Another positive is the return of Ali Hameed to the line-up in South Springvale’s 1-1 draw with Mornington.
Most importantly for South Springvale, the community remains proud of its amazing achievement no matter what the result.
“If you look at the way we’re structured – A League, NPL, NPL1, State League 1 – considering we’re a fourth division club we know who were are and where were from,” Lambropoulos said.
“To achieve what we have has been massive for the club, juniors and walking around with a bit of a smile on the face.
“We are who we are and if this is the end it is – so be it – but we’re not going to shy away from it, we’re going to give it our best shot.”
The final will be played at 5pm on Sunday night at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park.
South Springvale’s busy winter season continues in its FFA Cup round-of-16 battle on Tuesday 23 September, when the Aris boys head to Queensland to face NPLQ team Palm Beach Sharks.
DOCKERTY CUP FINAL
Melbourne Knights V South Springvale, Sunday 31 August at 5pm.
Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park.
