High flying NWS Spirit FC teach APIA a lesson
NWS Spirit FC have pulled off a spectacular performance defeating APIA Leichhardt 3-0 away from home to make it three wins from three in the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
The statement victory has issued a warning to all other clubs that David Perkovic’s troops mean business in 2025 as APIA were outsmarted by a determined Spirit outfit who also kept a clean sheet once more as the likes of Jack Stewart and Presley Ortiz were marshalled well by the visitors defence.
It was Spirit who had the first major chance of the match, coming after just three minutes, as a loose ball was met by Corey Kavanagh, who released a perfect first-time ball in behind to Takumi Ofuka.
The forward sprinted through on goal, but was met by the onrushing Oliver Kalac, who made a clutch save to keep the scores level early.
In the 8th minute, APIA responded with a chance of their own, as an assertive run from Seiya Kambayashi found the feet of Presley Ortiz, who saw his goal-bound shot blocked by a Spirit’s defence.
But it was Spirit who opened the scoring, with a 22nd minute strike from Takumi Ofuka seeing the away side strike first at Lambert Park.
After winning a long ball, holding possession and then switching the play, Michael Konestabo initiated a swift combination between the lines, finding Yu Okubo, who layed off the ball brilliantly to Ofuka.
Inside the box, Ofuka showed a tremendous amount of composure, delaying his strike and dummying to force his marker to the ground, before slicing an effort past Kalac into the far corner in a wonderful piece of skill.
In the 35th minute, Spirit doubled their lead, with a set piece supplying the goods and leaving APIA with a long road back.
An inswinging corner from Jordan Perez found the head of Kavanagh at the back post, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
However, in the process, the midfielder suffered a head injury, which spelt the end of the night for Spirit’s captain.
The away side continued to threaten, almost adding a third five minutes later, as a silky, incisive combination between Ofuka and Okubo allowed the latter to strike on goal.
Okubo produced a thunderous strike at goal, but it was met – equally as stunningly – by Kalac, who pushed the ball away from danger to keep the deficit at two.
As the second half began, Spirit picked up where they left off, with Okubo coming devastatingly close to netting their third goal, as he struck the post with his head after another fantastic set piece delivery from Perez.
But in the 51st minute, Spirit did find their third, with Perez finding Okubo once more from a freekick on the right flank.
Spirit’s star forward made no mistake, running in from the far post and nipping ahead of Jack Stewart to score his fourth of the season in just his third game.
As the match went on, APIA struggled to create, with Spirits block remaining aggressive and compact to prevent the home sides fluid attack from finding its rhythm.
In the 78th minute, a good ball from Max Court gave APIA their first significant chance of the second half, with the youngster finding Rory Jordan through on goal, but Christopher Marques was alert to the danger, rushing out and making a strong save against Jordan’s eventual effort.
Spirit then had a golden opportunity of their own to make it four, with a brilliant ball from Ofuka playing Okubo through on goal, but the forward couldn’t find the target from close range.
In additional time, another good ball from Court find Ortiz in behind, who saw his shot from an acute angle saved by Marques, but a goal would have been inconsequential, with the final whistle sounding moments later.
It was a fantastic performance from Spirit, a sentiment echoed by coach David Perkovic post-match.
“Like last week, we had to work really hard,” he said.
“I think the difference was that we were very clinical for the most part of the game.
“I thought it was going to be one of those days when we missed our first opportunity, which was a one-on-one.
“But the boys played an incredible game.
“They worked really hard, and in moments, we played really good football.”
Meanwhile, APIA coach Franco Parisi expressed his disappointment, and declared that his sides focus would turn to next week.
“We know what the competition’s about, and Spirit showed that today,” he said.
“We did some good things from our end, but we’ll keep working at it and correct it for next week.
“We are very much looking forward to a game at Landen stadium against Blacktown, and our focus totally turns towards that as we look to keep moving forward.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt FC 0
NWS Spirit FC 3 (Ofuka 22’, Kavanagh 35’, Okubo 51’)
Sunday 23 February, 2025
Lambert Park
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Hayden Michlmayr and Matthew Harris
Fourth Official: Charbel Geha
APIA Leichhardt FC: 80. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 5. Dredon Kelly (16. Sean Symons 60’), 7. Jack Stewart (14. Max Court 72’), 8. Joel Bertolissio, 9. Presley Ortiz, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 21. Michael Kouta, 22. Eddie Caspers, 30. Alex Denmead 11. Rory Jordan 72’), 99. Franco Farinella
Substitutes Not Used: 4. Josh Symons, 18. Adrian Ucchino, 54. Liam McMaster
Yellow Cards: Ortiz 75’
Red Cards: None
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 4. Bradie Smith (8. Grant Cornwell 79’), 5. Jordan Perez, 6. Corey Kavanagh (2. Anthony Younis 36’), 7. Frankie Ljucovic, 9. Yu Okubo, 10. Michael Konestabo (21. Harry Keys 89’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 15. Jamie Percevski, 19. Zayne Ahluwalia (23. Lincoln Gilmour 79’), 22. Takumi Ofuka (16. Charlie Broomhead 89’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Robert Fanella
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Player ratings:
3 – Yu Okubo (NWS)
2 – Jordan Perez (NWS)
1 – Takumi Ofuka (NWS)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
