United 58 heartbreak as APIA book Grand Final spot
Penalty shootout heroics from veteran shot stopper Ivan Necevski has secured APIA Leichhardt Tigers their spot in the National Premier Leagues NSW grand final.
The former A-League journeyman made a clutch save to his right to stop Shannon Cole’s penalty kick to ensure his APIA side took home a 5-4 penalty shootout win after the match finished 1-1 at the end of extra-time.
It was a gripping contest from the opening whistle with United 58 taking a shock lead against the run of play courtesy of a brilliant volley from Glen Trifiro.
APIA laboured through the rest of the match desperate to find an equaliser but struggled to break down a solid Reds defence.
However, a moment of magic from APIA stars Franco Parisi and Sean Symons provided the difference as Symons finished off a brilliant ball into the box to level the scores eight minutes from time and send the match into extra time.
After an end to end extra time it came down to the shootout with Necevski’s save setting up Parisi to fire APIA to an incredible victory.
It was a cagey opening to the match with neither side truly testing their opposition as both APIA and United 58 tried to find their groove.
An serious injury to youngster Anthony Vrilic only four minutes into the contest forced a major reshuffle for the home side with Chris Payne brought on to replace the defender.
United 58 and APIA traded free-kicks from the edge of the penalty area but both teams failed to test the keeper.
Adrian Ucchino’s glorious ball to the back post from the other side of the park was a glorious chance for Sean Symons but his first time volley sailed high and wide.
Symons had another brilliant chance only moments later in the 32nd minute when his rasping shot from inside the edge of the area was saved by Thomas Manos.
APIA was slowly building some momentum going forward while their opponents seemed more and more happy to sit back and absorb the pressure.
A breakaway from central defender Themba Muata-Marlow caught United 58 off guard and they nearly paid the price as an audacious chip from Tatsuku Sekiya sailed inches over the crossbar.
Sekiya was at it again moments later firing a powerful effort towards across the goal which was saved by a diving Manos.
While APIA may have been in control of the contest, Sydney United 58 were the team to break the deadlock.
An incredible first time volley from the edge of the penalty area after 43 minutes cannoned into the back of the net and past the outstretched arms of Ivan Necevski to give United 58 a 1-0 lead at the half.
APIA didn’t race out of the blocks at the restart as many expected and it was in fact United 58 who had the first chance of the second stanza.
Sam Perre found space at the edge of the 18-yard box after a United 58 counter attack but he could only fire straight to the keeper.
A cheeky back heel from Payne sent a scare through the APIA camp but The effort from The Reds striker went wide.
Desperation began to creep into APIA’s game as they threw players forward in search of an equaliser.
The home side remained calm despite the extra pressure and looked solid at the back.
It should’ve been 2-0 to United 58 in the 75th minute.
Perre once again failing to hit the target after receiving possession completely unmarked just inside the penalty area.
With APIA seemingly headed for an unlikely defeat, it took a moment of magic from TIger’s stars Parisi and Symons.
A deft pass from Parisi fell perfectly into the stride of Symons on the edge of the penalty area with the APIA captain hammering a half volley into the top of the net to level the scores a 1-1.
The visitors had one last chance in regulation when a Parisi free-kick found the head of millgate at the back post but the defender’s effort wasn’t on target.
With the game locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes the game was sent into extra-time.
United 58 had the first chance of extra time with Necevski denying Payne in the 96th minute.
The home side were unlucky to find a winner after 99 minutes when a diving Necevski at full stretch tipped a rifled shot from Mohamed Rahimi.
APIA had their own chance at the end of the first period of extra time but Manos was up to the task of saving a driven effort from Fondyke.
The Reds raced out of the blocks at the resumption of extra time and Payne was inches away from giving his side the lead when his near post header went wide.
Necevski made two major saves in quick succession to keep his side in the game with the game heading towards penalties.
The veteran shot stopper raced out to deny Sim in the 111th minute before making a diving save to stop a curling Trifirio free-kick
APIA had one final roll of the dice through Tasuku Sekiya who lined up over a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area however it went wide ensuring the game would be decided from the penalty spot.
Both teams had a number of outstanding performers with the hosts skipper Nick Stavroulakis playing the captain’s role superbly running the midfield with young gun Tariq Maia causing issues as well as Trifiro.
While for the visitors Themba Muata Marlow was outstanding in the Tigers backline as well as bombing on as was the experienced Parisi whose calmness really paved the way for APIA’s victory on the night.
APIA captain Symons was ecstatic after the full time whistle and paid homage to the fighting spirit of his teammates.
“We were under the pump once again and once again we have found a way to win,” he said.
“Everyone fought so hard in normal time and then in extra time. It is such a relief to get the result.
“When the game went to penalties I was very nervous as I don’t think i’ve been involved in a win from the penalty spot in my entire time with the club.
“When Ivan made the save I knew we had done enough.”
United 58 coach Miro Vlastelica was in an understandably sombre mood after his side’s defeat but paid tribute to their performance.
“That’s football, what more can I said.
“Penalty shootouts are a lottery. Somedays the luck goes your way and others, like today, it goes the way of the opposition.
“The boys worked so hard today and it’s disappointing to go out this way. They can be very proud of their efforts.”
APIA Leichhardt Tigers will now take on Premiers Sydney Olympic at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday 9th September at 4pm to see who will be crowned 2018 NPL NSW Men’s Champions.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58: 1 (Trifiro 43′)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: 1 (S Symons 83”)
Saturday, September 1 2018
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: S Lucas
Assistant referees: J Park & J Bell
Fourth official: T Danaskos
Sydney United 58 FC: 21. Thomas MANOS, 3. Jordan ROBERTS, 5. Anthony VRILIC, 8. Matthew SIM, 11. Yianni PERKATIS, 12. Shannon COLE, 13. Sam PERRE (7. Mohamed RAHIMI 79’), 14. Nick STAVROULAKIS, 15. Tariq MAIA, 18. Glen Trifiro, 22. Yianni FRAGOGIANNIS,
Substitutes not used: 1. John HALL, 4. Luke VLASTELICA, 6. Chris PAYNE,, 20, Petar MARKOVIC
Yellow Cards: Payne 47’, Cole 66′
Red Cards:
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: 1. Ivan NECEVSKI, 2. Nathan MILLGATE, 3. Paul GALIMI, 7. Howard FONDYKE, 10. Franco PARISI, 13. David D’APUZZO, 15. Themba MUATA-MARLOW, 16. Sean SYMONS, 17. Sam GUILISANO (21. Dom NASRABADI80′), 18. Adrian UCCHINO, 20, Tatsuku SEKIYA
Substitutes not used: 22. Blake TUXFORD 5. Stefan ADATTINI, 12. Benjamin MCCARRON, 14. Jack ARMSON,
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:
