The Melbourne Knights have overcome the N.T.C, even though they were down to nine men for the final ten minutes, after bizarre turn of events at Knights Stadium.
Melbourne’s Jacob Colosimo found himself with a lot of space outside the 18-yard box in just the first minute, but his shot just flew over the bar.
N.T.C punished the Knights just minutes later when an unmarked John Reale slotted home the opener courtesy of a back post half volley from close range. Reale’s shot was too good for Melbourne Knights’ Antony Loncaric.
N.T.C had the chance to go two up after Luke O’Dea was pulled down in the box after an exciting run down the left wing. To the N.T.C’s frustration O’Dea failed to convert his own penalty, as Knights’ keeper Antony Loncaric easily parried it away for a corner.

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Friday night football in the Victorian Premier League saw a new look Melbourne Knights dominate an Oakleigh side who were lost for ideas when presented with the Knights attacking pressure football system.
Oakleigh lined up with no less than three Knights players from 2009, Cameron Watson, Jamie Cumming and John Fitzgerald. Knights leading goalscorer Jean Charles Dubois had an opening in the first minute when the lively Adrian Zahra combined with Kevin Townson to put the nippy Frenchman through on goal with only the keeper to beat but his powerful effort was saved by Oakleigh's new recruit from Brisbane Roar, Jamie McMaster.

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A sense of relief settled on Knights Stadium last night as the Melbourne Knights recorded their first win of the 2010 season. Another healthy crowd of over 1,400 witnessed the Knights concede early on through some good work by ex-Knight Daniel Visevic who finished his opportunity well. But true to form, the Knights character shone through almost immediately as Kevin Townson drilled in a corner onto the head of Jean-Charles Dubois who's header bulleted into the net past an outstretched Stjepan Gal in the 14th minute.
The Knights controlled the tempo of the game from that point on - and the inclusion of Daniel Rocco returning from injury being key to settling a defence that has leaked some soft goals in recent weeks. It also allowed utility Liam Cannell to slot into the midfield coming out from the sweeper position.

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The Melbourne Knights quest for their first win of the season was quashed once again last night, as poor finishing and the Georgies luck keeping the scores deadlocked at 2-2 after a 10 minute flurry of action at the end of the first half.
The Georgies drew first blood against the run of play after Knights attacking midfielder Josip Magdić had a golden opportunity in the tenth minute to slot home past Martin John who in the end did well to save a powerful shot from inside the penalty area.
The Knights were on top early in the game, and forced numerous saves from Georgies keeper Martin John, with the best chance falling to Bryan Bran who dribbled through the centre of the park to fire a shot across John from just outside the area, only to be denied.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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The Melbourne Knights pre-season kicked off over two weeks ago with many triallists trying their luck at making Ivan Duzel's first team. With the squad nearly settled, the first team manager along with his assistant Paul Magdic, will have a solid base from which to prepare for the 2010 Victorian Premier League competition.
The Melbourne Knights coaching staff have ensured that the players fitness levels are primed for the highly anticipated Friendship Cup match against sister club Sydney United, as well as the first game in the 2010 season scheduled to kick off at the end of February.
Although many players from the 2009 squad have left, the committee and coaching staff have pooled their reasources and through their many contacts have assembled a formidable side. With many former Knights players now playing at other clubs...

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The Melbourne Knights last week appointed club legend Ivan Đuzel as its new coach, continuing with their efforts to bring the club back to its roots. Đuzel’s appointment, coupled with a request to return to the club logo that was used during the Premiership years in the NSL, has been met with positive feedback by fans ...and people around the club when the news was broken on Wednesday afternoon.
In what has been very much a poisoned chalice since the Knights’ return to the Victorian Premier League, Đuzel is intent on staying and bringing about a positive on-field effect in the short and long term after the departure of Chris Taylor, whose turbulent final season at Somers Street showed effects of strain in the second half of the campaign. The former midfield maestro, despite the enormity of the task in front of him, is delighted with the move.

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