South Melbourne Women’s match winner Tiffany Eliadis has indicated the team are hungrier than ever as they pursue success in both the Women’s Premier League and State Knockout Cup.
Eliadis’ goal from a corner in the final minute of extra-time helped South book their place in the semi-finals of the cup, at the expense of Bundoora United, who were worthy opponents on the day.
Having run out the 120 minutes, Eliadis was naturally fatigued and was not keen on taking the winning set piece, but was happy in the end as she helped her team avoid a penalty shootout.
“When I stepped up to the corner I was thinking, ‘do I have to take it again’ but I just said to myself just get a good connection on the ball,” Eliadis said.
“Usually when you get that connection, you don’t have to aim, it’s just going to go where you want it to go.
“[Had it gone to penalties] I would’ve taken one. I probably wouldn’t have gone first. I probably would’ve gone second but I was dreading it.
“Me and a couple of other girls were just thinking to ourselves that if we were to get into penalties then that was it. We probably wouldn’t have gone through.
“Towards the end I did because we started to lose our shape a little bit. It was a bit like ping-pong, up, down, up, down. I didn’t give up, but I just had doubt.”
The performance of Bundoora’s keeper Tori Snelleksz may have had something to do with it, as the pulled off several important saves over the course of the whole match.
Eliadis praised her opponent, who certainly frustrated the South attack.
“I could kill her! She pulled of some amazing saves, like she’d just get her fingertips on that ball – she’s a brilliant keeper. I feel like she’s got a big future ahead,” Eliadis said.
South have been joined Melbourne University (win by forfeit over Warragul United) and Bulleen Lions (beat Heidelberg 2-0) in the pot for the semi-final draw, while Sandringham and Brighton remain in contention with their quarter-final to be played tonight.
Eliadis has warned their opponents that they have improved on last season, where they slipped up when it mattered most, and feels that this time around, they won’t be leaving without silverware.
“[It does feel like last season] a little bit, but we have a little bit more determination this year, especially with Alan [Davidson] coming in. He’s given us that desire to just want to win and play really well together,” she said.
“A couple obviously left and that’s totally their choice but the girls have responded positively. They’re very respectful towards him so everything’s well.
As for beating Bundoora, Eliadis was just pleased her teammates were able to keep to the game plan, while feeling little sympathy towards her beaten opponents.
“We came in basically knowing it was going to be a battle so our motto for the whole match was to win our battles,” she said.
“Win our individual battles and I guess we won the battles and that’s why we ended up winning I guess.
“I feel like [Bundoora] are kind of like a rival team to South. I mean if you asked them [if they would’ve felt sorry for us had they won] they would say heck no so same feelings I guess.”