APIA prepare for United 58 with late winner over Spirit FC
APIA Leichhardt have clinched third place on the ladder with a last-minute 1-0 victory over NWS Spirit FC at Lambert Park.
It was a quiet opening 20 minutes of the match, featuring minimal chances as both sides looked to play their way into the game.
The away side were presented with the first significant opportunity, created by a strong drive forwards from Zachary Cianci.
After winning the ball in a central position on the halfway line, Cianci dribbled forwards, before sliding the ball to Richard Darko in the box.
Darko took a touch onto his left before unleashing a thunderous strike, which rattled off the crossbar, devastatingly close to finding the top-left corner.
Two minutes later, Spirit agonisingly struck the woodwork again.
A clipped, accurate ball in behind from Darko found the run of Michael Konestabo, who was able to engage in a one on one with Alexander Parkes after taking a good first touch in behind.
Konestabo slid what looked to be a goalbound strike past the isolated Parkes, but could only find the post, as Spirit saw two big chances go begging.
With both sides having one eye on their Wednesday fixtures – NWS Spirit an Australia Cup Round of 16 clash with Melbourne Victory and APIA Leichhardt an elimination final to begin the finals series – it was an expectedly calm first half.
However, the second half began in a more exciting fashion, with chances at both ends early in the second stanza.
Three minutes into the second half, APIA threatened, with a freekick from Sebastian Boffa finding the head of Dakota Askew, who forced a save from Joel Wade.
Spirit, meanwhile, looked dangerous with cutbacks on two occasions in the first five or so minutes, but couldn’t find anyone in the box to tap home.
The second half was played in a competitive spirit, but both sides continued to cancel each other out, with neither able to sustain periods of chance creation.
In the 75th minute, Jack Armson threatened for the home side with a shot after a swift turn, but couldn’t find the target with his effort.
Just a minute later, Spirit created another strong chance to take the lead, but again couldn’t convert.
A swift attacking move through midfield allowed them to release Zachary Cianci in behind on the left, who played a teasing low pass across goal.
Takeru Sugita met the pass, but couldn’t convert what was a significant opportunity for Spirit to open the scoring late on.
In the 89th minute, Jayden Tran almost netted late on for Spirit, just striking over the crossbar after a sharp turn and strike on the edge of the box.
But it was APIA who took the three points, punishing Spirit for their inability to create chances with a stoppage time winner.
A flowing APIA move saw a good, incisive pass from Edward Caspers finding the onrushing Anthony Sparacino in behind, who promptly cut the ball back across goal.
His pass found Azzone at the back post, who made no mistake in placing the ball past two Spirit defenders to find the back of the net and clinch third place on the ladder for APIA Leichhardt.
“It was a very even game, both teams played good football and it was hard to see a goal,” said APIA coach Franco Parisi.
“But thankfully at the end we got one, and got the clean sheet both teams were looking for.
“For me, it’s an important day – Round 30, playing at home – so to win the final day and finish third is a good result.
“Special mention to Max Court who made his debut today at the age of 15, and showed in a moment at the end that age isn’t a problem if you’ve got the quality which he’s got.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt FC 1 (Azzone 90+1’)
NWS Spirit FC 0
Sunday 25 August, 2024
Lambert Park
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: James Makris and Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
APIA Leichhardt FC: 20. Alexander Parkes, 4. Owen Henderson, 6. Anthony Sparacino, 8. Jared Macerola (22. Edward Caspers 71’), 12. Sebastian Boffa, 17. Khodar Andulkarim (11. Max Court 82’), 18. Adrian Ucchino (C) (29. Maksim Kasalovic 45’), 19. Morrie Kamara (14. Jack Armson 61’), 23. Dakota Askew (2. Seiya Kambayashi 61’), 30. Alex Denmead, 41. Nicholas Azzone
Substitutes Not Used: 27. Evan Davis
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques (31. Joel Wade 33’), 3. Kyle Shaw (16. Ante Bakmaz 33’), 7. Richard Darko (19. Jesse Michel 45’), 10. Michael Konestabo (4. Jarred Mckinley 58’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 17. Jacob Chidiac, 18. Zachary Cianci, 20. Jared Lum (15. Takeru Sugita 56’), 21. Jayden Tran, 35. Lincoln Gilmour, 36. Kyah Williams
Substitutes Not Used: 8. Grant Cornwell
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:
Player Ratings:
3 – Nicholas Azzone (APIA)
2 – Zachary Cianci (NWS)
1 – Owen Henderson (APIA)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
