IT WILL be back to the future in almost every way when Bentleigh Greens take on Heidelberg United in a mouthwatering Dockerty Cup Round 7 tie on Tuesday night.
It is not enough that these great rivals be meeting for the first time in almost a year - owing to Bentleigh’s relegation to VPL1 – you have a match rich with storylines everywhere you turn, both on and off the pitch at Kingston Heath.
Heidelberg coach John Anastasiadis will make an eagerly anticipated return to the Heath for the first time in five years, while in the opposite dugout Bentleigh coach George Katsakis will for the first time be coaching against the club he took charge of on a record 380 occasions across all competitions.
There is also a spot on the line in the national knockout rounds of the Australia Cup, with these two sides arguably Victoria’s – and some of the country’s – two most successful non-A-League clubs over the course of the history of the competition.
It is sure to be a blockbuster affair. Kickoff is at 7.30pm. You do not want to miss it.
GUESS WHO’S BACK?
John Anastasiadis coached Bentleigh Greens in 209 league matches in a hugely successful tenure that stretched from 2011-19.
In his time at Kingston Heath, Anastasiadis steered Bentleigh to two NPL Championships and two Dockerty Cups. He also left his side in such a strong state that it was able to withstand his departure to A-League Club Western United in mid-2019 and go on to win a third NPL championship in five seasons.
Anastasiadis and Bentleigh were also catapulted into the national spotlight in 2014, becoming the first non A-League club to make the semi-finals of the FFA / Australia Cup in what was the inaugural edition of the competition.
Under Anastasiadis, Bentleigh would feature regularly in the latter rounds of the national knockout cup, twice making the semi-finals and one other time making the quarters.
After his successful assistant coaching stint at Western United, where he helped the club to its maiden A-League championship in 2022, the 55-year-old was appointed as Heidelberg manager ahead of the 2024 NPL season.
HELLO, OLD FRIENDS
George Katsakis is, and always will be, a great of Heidelberg United.
The legendary manager holds the club record for games coached at Heidelberg across a 2007-23 stint that netted an unprecedented amount of success for the Bergers.
Under Katsakis’ tutelage, Heidelberg won the 2017 National NPL title, the 2017 NPL Victoria Premiership, the 2018 NPL Championship, the 2017 Dockerty Cup and made the quarter-finals of the FFA / Australia Cup in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
More than that, Katsakis was a larger than life figure around the club who, along with a strong and active committee, lead a huge resurgence in the great club’s fortunes on and off the pitch, restoring the powerhouse status it held during the NSL era.
Katsakis was installed as Bentleigh coach earlier this season.
Given the VPL1 side isn’t currently in the same league as Heidelberg, it’s fair to say this match-up against his old club has come far sooner than anyone could have anticipated.
LET’S SETTLE THIS
In a funny quirk, the Anastasiadis v Katsakis coaching rivalry couldn’t be any closer heading into Tuesday night.
The two greats have coached against each other on 28 occasions, each winning 11, with six draws.
Will there be a decisive leader after Tuesday night?
MAGIC OF THE CUP
As outlined above, Bentleigh and Heidelberg have been mainstays of the Dockerty Cup and FFA / Australia Cup in recent history.
While both have tasted the ultimate Dockerty Cup success and gone on magical national cup runs, their cup paths have also crossed on many occasions throughout that time.
Most significantly, the two clubs met in two separate Dockerty Cup finals, with Heidelberg winning in a penalty shootout in 2017 and Bentleigh exacting revenge 2-0 12 months later.
The pair also met in the FFA / Australia Cup quarter finals in 2018, with Bentleigh advancing 1-0 at Kingston Heath.
Heidelberg have featured in past two Australia Cup knockout rounds, but Bentleigh missed out last year and will be keen to return.
Both clubs have featured in a Victorian-record five Australia Cup knockout rounds, as have Hume City – who play Caroline Springs George Cross in another Round 7 tie on Wednesday night.
HOW WE GOT HERE
2024 Dockerty Cup Results 2024
Bentleigh Greens
- Round 4 v Werribee City @ Galvin Park Reserve – WON 5-1
- Round 5 v Upfield @ Kingston Heath – WON 4-0
- Round 6 v Essendon Royals @ Cross Keys Reserve – WON 3-1
Heidelberg United
- Round 4 v Sunbury United @ Olympic Village – WON 8-0
- Round 5 v Brunswick Juventus @ Olympic Village – WON 4-2
- Round 6 v Altona Magic @ Paisley Park – WON 4-0