No fluke as Frangie wants second successive Cup triumph

Hakoah Sydney City East striker Anthony Frangie believes his side will prove last year’s incredible victorious TAFE NSW Waratah Cup run was not a one off when they take on APIA Leichhardt Tigers in the cup final on July 14. 

The Eastern Suburbs based side will return to Lambert Park, the site of their historic victory, for a rematch against last year’s runners-up APIA.

Hakoah has become the National Premier Leagues NSW competition’s cup specialists after last season’s Waratah Cup win was followed with a return to the tournament’s final twelve months later as well as a solid run in the FFA Cup.

Despite a number of their more experienced players leaving the club at the end of the previous campaign, including coach Gavin Rae hanging up his boots to focus on his role as the side’s gaffer, Frangie is confident the change in personnel has only strengthened Hakoah.

“Having a younger team we are able to play a quicker brand of football which is quite different from the way we did things 12 months ago,” he said.

“This team has developed in a short space of time and on our day we have proven that we can match it against anyone we play.

“We experienced how great the feeling of winning was last year and we are driven to recreate that moment by defending our title.”

For Frangie he has taken on a more prominent role in Hakoah’s attack this time around.

The young attacker’s mercurial skills and eye for goal has played a big part in Sydney City East reaching the decider for the second straight year.

However, the extra responsibility has hardly crossed Frangie’s mind.

“Really I just focus on doing my thing each week and performing my best for the team,” he said.

“I don’t really think about pressure or my role in the team or anything like that. My process is just making sure I can contribute week in week out, whether that be through scoring goals or creating chances for my teammates.

“Definitely I’ve developed as a player in the time I have been at Hakoah and I hope to continue that growth.”

While he know’s APIA will be hell bent on avenging their loss in the 2017 Waratah Cup final, Frangie said the team hasn’t spent too much time on their opposition.

“It is certainly a unique situation where we will play the same team at the same venue in the cup final twelve months later,” he said.

“As a team we have always lifted in big matches no matter who we play and this will be no different.

“APIA will be well prepared for this game and will be giving it everything they can, however so will we.”

Frangie said winning a second straight Waratah Cup title would be just as special as their first.

“Last season was an incredible ride and the feeling to winning the club their first bit of silverware in quite some time was very special,” he said.

“However, if we are able to go back and do it all again with a different squad, for me is just as great an achievement.

“We have been working towards this moment and everything will be on the line on game day.”

Tickets for the 2018 TAFE NSW Waratah Cup Final are available online please click here to purchase.