South Melbourne Womens FC coach Bill Mihaloudis was in good spirits on Saturday, as his team beat Sandringham SC for the second time in two weeks to book a spot in the Women’s Premier League Grand Final.
A brace from star midfielder Morany Chek, as well as goals to Alison Baker and Laura Spiranovic saw South Melbourne race to a 4-0 lead, before Stephanie Tanti scored a long range consolation goal in the second half.
“It was all put together today, the girls have been focused now for about the last six, seven weeks so it’s nice to see they’ve finally got it together and they’re working well,” a satisfied Mihaloudis said.
While South Melbourne looked rampant for much of the first half, it was a tired showing from the Sandringham girls who looked jaded and off the pace after a gruelling 120 minute battle against Box Hill the previous weekend.
Mihaloudis admitted that the bye last week had definitely done his club wonders, as the South Melbourne players looked fresher and hungrier than their opponents.
“Did the break help? Yeah absolutely, a week’s break does help quite a lot in helping players get over niggling injuries,” he said.
“We rested Sal (Selin Kuralay) today, we rested Gibbo (Annabelle Gibney) today as well, they’re gonna be ready in two weeks time.
“I was very happy with the way we played, and it’s nice to see we’re taking this form into the Grand Final.”
The South Melbourne coach was quick to praise his team for a job well done though, lauding the team effort and mentioning that he thought all areas of the team had done their job on the day.
“The engine room in the middle has been brilliant, you got your Mos (Morany Chek) and your Nats (Natalie Martineau) and your Tiffs (Tiffany Eliadis) and Alison Baker looks outstanding, she’s just brilliant,” Mihaloudis gushed.
“She’s so composed on the ball and she’s scoring a goal a game over the last few weeks so it’s nice to see her playing well on the wing.
“The defence is nice and solid and strong and Laura [Spiranovic] was playing the lone striker today, she scored a cracking goal in the first half.
“I walk away thinking my headaches in two weeks time are huge, I have 21 players to pick 16 from but that’s the way it goes.”
When asked which of the remaining teams he preferred to see in the Grand Final though, Mihaloudis chose the diplomatic route, preferring to focus on his own team’s preparations.
“I’m not really fazed one way or another, the good thing about it is we’re there and whoever it is, I guarantee we’ll give 110%. Whoever is there, they deserve to make it so good luck to them.”