Post by paoktzi on Feb 23, 2011 14:07:49 GMT 10
BELMORE HERCULES
It’s been a while since Belmore Hercules were crowned state league division two champions in 1992 but new coach John Kyriazopoulos has the club primed to make further inroads up the ladder in 2011 and, hopefully, go all the way to a title win. It’s quite a remarkable intention given the club’s financial predicament just a few short years ago, but there’s a strong sense of belief at Belmore that was given more credence following last year’s positive results.
Although this is his first try at coaching, Kyriazopoulos [called in to cover for Ernesto Meduri’s move to Apia juniors and clubman Kosta Apokis’ high-end shift to Greek super league club AEK Athens] has plenty to draw upon after three years in the national soccer league with Sydney Olympic and a long junior career at Marconi before that. He has also spent a decade playing in NSW State League teams, so he has learnt from some of the best coaches in Australia.
“I have been with Belmore for many years and helped them get back on board and back into state league,” he said. “I was getting a bit older as a player and wanted to stay involved in the game, so I was happy with the opportunity to coach Belmore. It is a new challenge for me but one I am looking forward to.”
Kyriazopoulos admitted there was still plenty to glean from the game, but he remained undaunted by the prospect of learning as he went along. “It is my first year coaching but I have played under a lot of quality coaches over the years so I am not worried about it. [As a player who become a coach] You take ideas – a bit from here, a bit from there, and even what I enjoyed as a player – to use as coaching skills.”
“The club’s expectations are to win the comp and get promoted into division one. It won’t be easy, but with the way the club has been going over the last two years, things are definitely getting better. l think [this year’s] team is a little bit stronger. We have a few more experienced players who have come in to lead the younger boys, and we concentrated on our on-field ball work and structure. I don’t believe in 12-minute runs, and as it’s going to be a longer season, I think there could be a real problem with burn-out if teams overdo their fitness.”
Kyriazopoulos didn’t believe there was a clear-cut favourite for this year’s division two competition. “To be honest all of the teams are able to make the finals and there’s not one that sticks out more than the other. I think every game is always going to be a challenge, and definitely no game will be easy to win.”
HURSTVILLE CITY
Vivacious Hurstville City Minotaurs coach Peter Sarikakis needs no introduction. After almost 40 years of coaching and achieving outstanding success with Hurstville, the man-who-breathes/talks/lives-football is showing no signs of letting up. Nor is he about to relinquish his now-famous moniker as “The General”.
It would seem the Pied Piper of Hamlin has nothing on The General as his devoted Minotaurs crew would follow him into battle anywhere and everywhere. But there’s just one destination in mind for Sarikakis – promotion to State League division one. They went close in 2008 when they were division two southern conference champions and then had to settle for runner-up tags the last two years.
“I have always thought we are a division one side,” he said with his usual exuberance. “The last two years we have missed out on promotion by one win… so, again, we must do a better job on the park. I wouldn’t be in it if I didn’t think we could win it; we are not there just for fun. [Regarding his ability to retain the core of each year’s squad] Of course Hurstville players want to stay at the club. No-one cooks better than your own mother and the players never go hungry at this club.”
Sarikakis said he kept every one of his players from last year and gained 2-3 players he felt would assist in strengthening the squad. “I’m also hoping 1-2 players will come back from injury during the season so we should have a slightly stronger side this year,” he said, “And with The General here, it’s a big plus. I’m one of the most experienced coaches in NSW, so we’ll be there [the finals]. Remember, there’s only one General with the planning…”
Never short of character, Sarikakis was more liberal with his predictions. “I know I joke a little bit but the strong teams from last year will be the same again this year. retards have to be one of the favourites again, Luddenham if they have added to their squad and Roosters are always up there, and Belmore should be stronger for the experience,” he said. “You never really know how the boys will react to the new teams and sometimes it’s the bounce of the ball that’s the difference between success or failure [referring to a recent 1-0 loss via an own-goal to Northbridge]. But at the end of the day, that’s what football is all about.”
It’s been a while since Belmore Hercules were crowned state league division two champions in 1992 but new coach John Kyriazopoulos has the club primed to make further inroads up the ladder in 2011 and, hopefully, go all the way to a title win. It’s quite a remarkable intention given the club’s financial predicament just a few short years ago, but there’s a strong sense of belief at Belmore that was given more credence following last year’s positive results.
Although this is his first try at coaching, Kyriazopoulos [called in to cover for Ernesto Meduri’s move to Apia juniors and clubman Kosta Apokis’ high-end shift to Greek super league club AEK Athens] has plenty to draw upon after three years in the national soccer league with Sydney Olympic and a long junior career at Marconi before that. He has also spent a decade playing in NSW State League teams, so he has learnt from some of the best coaches in Australia.
“I have been with Belmore for many years and helped them get back on board and back into state league,” he said. “I was getting a bit older as a player and wanted to stay involved in the game, so I was happy with the opportunity to coach Belmore. It is a new challenge for me but one I am looking forward to.”
Kyriazopoulos admitted there was still plenty to glean from the game, but he remained undaunted by the prospect of learning as he went along. “It is my first year coaching but I have played under a lot of quality coaches over the years so I am not worried about it. [As a player who become a coach] You take ideas – a bit from here, a bit from there, and even what I enjoyed as a player – to use as coaching skills.”
“The club’s expectations are to win the comp and get promoted into division one. It won’t be easy, but with the way the club has been going over the last two years, things are definitely getting better. l think [this year’s] team is a little bit stronger. We have a few more experienced players who have come in to lead the younger boys, and we concentrated on our on-field ball work and structure. I don’t believe in 12-minute runs, and as it’s going to be a longer season, I think there could be a real problem with burn-out if teams overdo their fitness.”
Kyriazopoulos didn’t believe there was a clear-cut favourite for this year’s division two competition. “To be honest all of the teams are able to make the finals and there’s not one that sticks out more than the other. I think every game is always going to be a challenge, and definitely no game will be easy to win.”
HURSTVILLE CITY
Vivacious Hurstville City Minotaurs coach Peter Sarikakis needs no introduction. After almost 40 years of coaching and achieving outstanding success with Hurstville, the man-who-breathes/talks/lives-football is showing no signs of letting up. Nor is he about to relinquish his now-famous moniker as “The General”.
It would seem the Pied Piper of Hamlin has nothing on The General as his devoted Minotaurs crew would follow him into battle anywhere and everywhere. But there’s just one destination in mind for Sarikakis – promotion to State League division one. They went close in 2008 when they were division two southern conference champions and then had to settle for runner-up tags the last two years.
“I have always thought we are a division one side,” he said with his usual exuberance. “The last two years we have missed out on promotion by one win… so, again, we must do a better job on the park. I wouldn’t be in it if I didn’t think we could win it; we are not there just for fun. [Regarding his ability to retain the core of each year’s squad] Of course Hurstville players want to stay at the club. No-one cooks better than your own mother and the players never go hungry at this club.”
Sarikakis said he kept every one of his players from last year and gained 2-3 players he felt would assist in strengthening the squad. “I’m also hoping 1-2 players will come back from injury during the season so we should have a slightly stronger side this year,” he said, “And with The General here, it’s a big plus. I’m one of the most experienced coaches in NSW, so we’ll be there [the finals]. Remember, there’s only one General with the planning…”
Never short of character, Sarikakis was more liberal with his predictions. “I know I joke a little bit but the strong teams from last year will be the same again this year. retards have to be one of the favourites again, Luddenham if they have added to their squad and Roosters are always up there, and Belmore should be stronger for the experience,” he said. “You never really know how the boys will react to the new teams and sometimes it’s the bounce of the ball that’s the difference between success or failure [referring to a recent 1-0 loss via an own-goal to Northbridge]. But at the end of the day, that’s what football is all about.”
