Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Steve Iosifidis

NSL Club:                                           

Heidelberg United, South Melbourne

Diegos Verdict:                                   

A supremely talented quiet achiever who was ever-present in South’s glory back-to-back Postecoglou premiership years.

An unsung hero of South Melbourne’s domestic campaign throughout the 90’s, Iosifidis, came of age and was one of the Lakesiders’ best on one of the biggest stages in world footy – the World Club Championship in Brazil in 2000.

It was good to see that Super Stevie went on to have many more sensational seasons in the NSL.

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Steve Iosifidis

Iosifidis on the World Club Championship in Brazil in 2000…

Diegos: “Congratulations on your performances for South Melbourne in the World Club Championships. From a footballer's point of view you experienced everything there is to experience - playing at the Maracania, kicking David Beckham, and being whistled and booed by 90,000 manic Vasco da Gama fans.

At what point did it hit you that this was no ordinary football tournament?

Iosifidis: “When I realized that there was no access to a souvlaki bar anywhere?

No, really, I think when you’re out playing in front of 90,000 people and you can’t hear yourself talk, it’s just amazing.  They’re so fanatical, so passionate about the game over there...it’s just something you have to experience to understand. In the player's tunnel before the first game against Vasco I was trying to take everything in my stride and be as relaxed as possible. 

I was determined to stay cool and composed even though we were playing at the world famous Maracania, against the South American champions and in front of their passionate supporters.

I guess my composure disappeared once I realized that the great Romario was standing to my right. That’s when it hit me that I was playing on the world stage."

Diegos: "In the game against Manchester United it seemed somehow appropriate that you, a boy from the back-blocks of the Western Suburbs in Melbourne, be the first to chop down United's 'Mr. Spice', David Beckham.

Tell us about the tackle, was it one of your better illegal tackles from behind?

Iosifidis: " I actually won a few bets on that tackle. 

There were so many people here saying, 'Just do us one favour…butcher David Beckham!' Only joking.

But, really, he is so flamboyant.  When he came on, he looked a million dollars.  Everything about him; his hairstyle; his legs; his face; everything looked so classy.  You'd think he’s wearing make-up he looks so good.  But what a player."

Diego:  "Did the Manchester United or the Vasco players communicate with the South Melbourne boys on the field? Did they try to psychologically gain the upper hand over you?"

Iosifidis: "No, I think they probably felt sorry for us more than anything else.  They weren’t trying to psych us out at all. 

There was one situation where Robert Liparoti put in a late tackle on Edmundo. I was expecting the worst but 'The Animal' responded by calmly turning around and surprisingly helping Robert up.  I thought that was pretty amazing coming from a guy with his reputation."

Diego:  "Was there much mingling off the pitch amongst the different clubs?  Did you get a chance to have a quiet chat with 'Becks' about life back in Manchester or a chat with Edmundo about nightclubbing in Rio?"

Iosifidis: "I discovered that apparently, during the day, Edmundo spends his time in jail. He lives in jail and, at night, they bring him out to train. 

He comes out for games and training and nothing more.  I believe he’s serving a manslaughter sentence for culpable driving, so unless I was prepared to visit him in jail I don't think that I was ever going to strike up much of a conversation with him. 

The closest I got to a conversation with a superstar was saying “Sorry, sorry” to Andy Cole after I stomped on his foot in a tackle during the Manchester United game. I was concerned because his is a multi-million dollar foot as opposed to my 'IL Cheapo' Altona North foot."

Diegos: “There were times during the tournament where South Melbourne coach, Angie Postecoglou's tactical nous came to the fore.

Against Vasco in the first game, he went for the three lumberjacks, Liparoti, Blatsis and Orlic in the middle of defense to successfully frustrate the Brazilians and in the second game against Necaxa, after being ripped apart early on the right, he decided to plug the hole by moving you to a right full back position.

Do you think that tactically South matched up pretty well with the opposition with the tournament?

Iosifidis: “I think in the first game against Vasco, we actually frustrated the Brazilians.  They were expecting us to play a flat back three but we actually played five in the defense. 

They usually like playing little one twos in the box but they just couldn’t get through us at all. I had to pinch myself when we walked in at half time against Vasco and the scores were nil-nil against the South American champions…it was just amazing.  They actually had their supporters booing them."

Diegos: "You were instrumental in the build up to South Melbourne's historic goal against Necaxa in game two. Your trickery, change of pace and surge forward bamboozled the hapless Mexican defender so much so, that he was forced to controversially bring you down on the edge of the penalty area.

You of course, in true B-grade acting form flung yourself into the area pretending to play dead but only a free kick was given.

Were you disappointed that you’re brilliant Oscar winning performance was not rewarded with a spot kick?"

Iosifidis: “Yes it would’ve been nice to win a penalty, especially seeing that the other team was awarded three penalties in the same game against us. I thought he should’ve given it.   The referee wasn’t too impressed though but I didn't complain too much because I didn't want to be given my marching orders."

Diegos:  "There are strong rumours that your solid performances in Brazil have attracted interest from other clubs.

Have you heard anything about an overseas contract?"

Iosifidis:  "Yeah, I heard a few rumours that St.Kilda Warriors are interested!"

Soft Sombrero Moment 2000