Star studded Tigers hungry for success

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18:  Daniel Petkovski stretches during a Sydney FC A-League training session at Macquarie Uni on July 18, 2014 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

It will be a new look A.P.I.A Leichardt Tigers in the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 competition this season.

The Tigers have been extremely busy during the off-season and have so far added nine new faces to their playing roster for 2015.

Some of the Tigers notable signings include Adrian Ucchino moving from Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Corey Bizco, Brett Studman and Nathan Millgate jumping ship from the Blacktown Spartans and Sean Symons making his way back to Lambert Park after a stint with the Western Sydney Wanderers youth team and Rockdale City Suns.

Former Sydney FC National Youth League player Daniel Petkovski has also made the move to the Tigers further strengthening the club’s ambitions as a Premiership contender.

Coach Billy McColl is confident that the Tigers will improve from the previous year and is more than satisfied with the clubs signings so far.

“We have really strengthened the team from last season.

“Adrian Ucchino in particular is an excellent signing for the club.”

McColl believes the club should be aiming for the top of the league and are amongst the early contenders for the Premiership.

“We should be challenging for the title and be up there this season, the top three is our aim.

“I believe we have the squad to challenge the likes of the Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Blacktown City who are the two big clubs in the league.”

McColl didn’t write off the rest of the competition though and remains wary of the other teams.

“This year we will have a very keen and competitive competition where there will be no easy games at all.”

The Tigers mentor also made comment on his sides expectations in the Westfield FFA Cup. Last year APIA was knocked out in the fourth round of the Waratah Cup, going down to eventual FFA Cup quarter finalists Manly United.

“We want to go as far as we can in the Westfield FFA Cup and have the opportunity to have a crack at the big boys.”

2015 SIGNINGS: Adrian Ucchino, Corey Bizco, Brett Studman, Nathan Millgate, Tyson Rhodes, Nathan Elasi, Sean Symons, Daniel Petkovski, Ryan Norval

-By Nikola Pozder