Dimitri and Kosta Petratos are set to become the 10th set of brothers to square off in the Hyundai A-League when Glory host Roar on Saturday night – just don’t ask the family which team they’ll support.
It’s a big game, with Brisbane hoping to maintain their one point lead in the race for the Premiership.
Perth for their part will be out to continue their charge towards the top six.
However, a fascinating sub-plot to this key clash is the Petratos brothers.
Aiming to be at nib Stadium is proud father Angelo – himself a former NSL representative who still plays Division 1 State League in NSW – and other members of the Petratos family.
“When it comes to which team to go for it makes it a very difficult situation for a parent,” Angelo told www.a-league.com.au
“My wife is going to wear a scarf on each arm, while I’ll be cheering for both on the inside.
“We’re just immensely proud of what the boys have achieved.”
For oldest son, Dimitri, those feats include playing the last six seasons in the Hyundai A-League by the age of 23.
Prior to that, Angelo and Dimitri actually played in the same side together at NSW NPL outfit Penrith Nepean, a rare feat indeed.
They would link up again at Sydney Olympic (one of Angelo’s former NSL clubs) when Dimitri went on loan while at Sydney FC.
The Roar attacker signed a contract extension last August, and is one of the nominees for this season’s NAB Young Player of the Year Award.
“He’s happy. The team is doing well, they’re coming first,” said Angelo.
“He’s learning a lot playing under John Aloisi. Hopefully they can win more games and win the Premiership.”
For Kosta, his rise has been more recent.
Having spent the last two years at FFA’s Centre of Excellence, the 17-year-old put behind him the disappointment of missing selection for the Joeys’ 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad by signing with Glory last month.
The forward has come off the bench in Glory’s last two wins as Kenny Lowe has given him a taste of A-League action.
“That’s football,” added Angelo. “Coaches make the decisions. Sometimes you’re in the squad, sometimes you’re not.
“At times it makes you work harder as a player. It doesn’t mean everything’s over.
“As you can see he [Kosta] still went to Perth which is a good thing.”
Brothers to have played each other in the Hyundai A-League (season)
• Nick v Leo Carle (05/06)
• John v Ross Aloisi (07/08)
• Adam v David D’Apuzzo (08/09-09/10)
• David v Karl Dodd (08/09-09/10)
• Ahmad v Tarek Elrich (08/09-09/10)
• Chris v Jamie Coyne (11/12)
• Brent v Rostyn Griffiths (11/12)
• Adam v Ryan Griffiths (12/13)
• Glen v Jason Trifiro (14/15-15/16)
**Stats courtesy of Andrew Howe @andyhowe_statto
The family’s football lineage doesn’t stop there either.
Daughter Panagiota has represented the Mini Matildas and been a part of Sydney FC’s W-League train-on squad this season.
Meanwhile son Yerasimakis is a graduate from the NSW Institute of Sport and will play for the Rockdale Suns’ U-20 side this season.
No doubt there would have been some epic games of backyard football for the Petratos family growing up in Sydney’s west, with Angelo revealing Dimitri and Kosta were always on opposite sides.
As to what they’ll do if they cross paths on the pitch come Saturday, Dad was diplomatic.
“They’ll play football. They’ll do whatever they need to do to stop the other one.”
