The Melbourne Knights have learnt two very important lessons in their last two games. The season opener against Dandenong showed why 100% intensity is required right at the start of the match to overcome an opponent mentally. This week’s game against Heidelberg United showed that although playing excellent football at a great pace, a two goal buffer can count for nothing in the dying minutes and lose you two points.
The Knights opened the game up against Heidelberg in front of 2,000 fans on Monday night and were immediately on top of play with piercing runs on the right wing coming from Adrian Zahra and Josip Magdić, causing havoc for the slow Heidelberg defence which featured ex-Knights captain Craig Elvin. Fan favourite and returning star Danny Tiatto slotted nicely in the central midfielder role with Ben Surey, controlling the tempo of the game superbly and not giving the ageing Heidelberg side a chance.

The Melbourne Knights kicked off its 2010 season campaign with a loss to last season's Minor Premier and Runner-Up Dandenong Thunder.
A goal in the third minute from young Dandenong midfielder Shane Rexhepi put the Knights behind the 8-ball immediately. Experienced striker Joey Di Iorio doubled the Thunder's lead in the 24th minute to give the Knights faithful a real scare looking at the season's prospects.
The second half began with a new look Knights side - obviously Ivan Duzel succeeded in calming the lads down and getting them to play the simple and attractive soccer they are known for. It was to be expected that such a fresh side was to be a little shocked and not in tempo with the high intensity of a round one match against the previous season's premiers.
Duzel's job was not made any easier however with no less than five Knights players not receiving their International Clearance Certificate's before the game - three of whom are first eleven players. He was at a loss for words in describing the debacle; "I don't know how people expect me to play my full squad at full strength when they haven't been cleared yet, not only do we have to start on three points because of other people's mistakes...

Prodigal son Danny Tiatto has returned to his old stomping ground, the Melbourne Knights.

The 23-cap Socceroo appears set to end his career with a guest stint at the club at which he made his name, after agreeing to his return with Knights president Ange Cimera earlier today.

He is likely to play the club’s opening two home games – the first against Heidelberg United on Monday March 8 – before deciding on his future.

“We’re absolutely rapt,” Cimera said, adding Tiatto had signed as an amateur and would play for free.

“What he is saying is that he got his name here through the Melbourne Knights.  He originally said he’ll play our first two home games … then he’ll see how he feels and how his body takes it and he’ll then decide what to do.”

Tiatto, 36, left A-League club Brisbane this season after falling out with coach Ange Postecoglou.

The Melbourne Knights 2010 jersey presentation and player auction took off last Saturday night. Distinguished guests, players and sponsors were all in attendance for an intimate evening with Gola Gitara and outgoing Master of Ceremonies Frankie Franjić.
The Melbourne Croatia Social Club hosted over 150 people which saw the Knights raise over 35,000 in pledges which will dramatically help the club in the first few months of the season.
Newly arrived imports Tomislav Škara and Tomislav Pleš modelled the new 2010 season jersey which was produced by Mitre. The kits are a return to the past – a plain red shirt, white shorts and blue socks as the home strip and plain all white for the away. Both feature the much loved old Knights logo which the club campaigned hard to get back.
At the end of last season, the club was in tatters. The chairman had left, the players followed suit and it looked as though there would be no new committee to keep the club going. Ange Cimera took the job up vowing not to let the ‘club go down the drain’. He assembled a small committe which has worked tirelessly to get to where they are now. The club has returned to its old logo...

The Melbourne Knights have taken out the 2010 Victorian Croatian Cup, defeating Dandenong City Hajduk in the final 2 goals to 1.
New signing from the USA Tomislav Skara played well during the four game tournament, as did outstanding reserves players Josip Franjic and Michael Grgic.
Wins against North Geelong and St. Albans (both 1-0) ensured the Knights would make the final against a near full strength Dandenong side boasting ex-Knights players Ivan Gelemanovic and Dario Matkovic.
President of Dandenong City Tony Dorotic was happy with the turnout and labelled the tournament as a resounding success. "It's important that we keep this tournament going. It's important that our Croatian clubs get together and keep our ties and bonds strong."
Knights coach Ivan Duzel was pleased with the result. "I told the boys that we were aiming to make the final...