Final Series Week Two – NPL NSW Men’s Review

APIA Leichhardt tigers have flexed their National Premier Leagues NSW Championship credentials with an incredible 8-2 demolition of Rockdale City Suns at Lambert Park on Saturday.

Tigers’ fans thought they had seen it all in Tuesday night’s FFA Cup giant-killing of reigning A-League Champions Melbourne Victory, but the Lambert Park faithful will be pinching themselves again after witnessing their side move one game away from the grand final with a truly one-sided triumph. 

The incredible rout began with the fifth-minute dismissal of Rockdale defender Blake Ricciuto, who was given straight red after tripping the goal-bound Sean Symons. APIA stalwart Themba Muata-Marlow buried the resulting penalty kick, and the floodgates opened.

Franco Parisi’s glorious run and pass saw a rare goal for fullback David D’Apuzzo, while FFA Cup hero Tasuku Sekiya added a third from close range after Symons’ shot had cannoned back off the foot of the post.

And when Howard Fondyke volleyed the Japanese attacker’s cross past Ante Covic at the back post five minutes later, the Tigers were in dreamland.

The misery continued for Rockdale in the second stanza. Symons headed D’Apuzzo’s centre home, and Paul Reid’s side were reduced to nine when Aleksandar Canak was dismissed for his second booking.

Substitute Samuel Gulisano opened his first-grade account from the penalty spot after a Suns handball and soon had a brace – and APIA’s seventh – after rifling in a deflected effort that left Covic rooted to the spot.

Rockdale pulled two consolation goals back via Alexander Malfara and Michael Neill, before Sekiya clinched his double, and fifth goal in a week, with a delightful lob over the former Western Sydney Wanderers gloveman.

Sekiya’s dink proved to be the final kick of a crazy encounter, and undoubtedly an NPL NSW clash that will live long in the memory.

Sydney Olympic is one game away from securing a historic National Premier Leagues NSW Championship double after defeating Sydney Olympic 58 4-0 in the Major-Semi Final at Lambert Park on Sunday.

A hat-trick to Spanish import Alex Sanchez, along with one goal to Olympic skipper Jason Madonissecured the win for the blues, with their robust defence keeping Sydney United 58 off the scoreboard.

The victory for Olympic was their third consecutive win over Sydney United 58 and capped off their Premiership winning season with a direct run to the Grand Final.

Sanchez would be the first on the scoreboard in the 20thminute, heading home a goal.

Madonis doubled the lead for Olympic only ten minutes later, capitalising on a clearance from Sydney United 58 which saw the ball fall to his feet outside the box.

Sanchez made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute, landing a ball in the back of the net just two minutes later.

An incredible hat-trick for Sanchez came 30 minutes from full-time after he slalomed through the United 58 defence before cooly finishing to wrap up the 4-0 victory.

Olympic will have a week off next week as they prepare for the Grand Final, whereas Sydney United 58 will play-off against APIA for a place in the decider.