APIA add to Sharks woes
APIA Leichhardt FC inflicted more pain on the Sutherland Sharks as the reigning Waratah Cup Champions took out the round 13 National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW clash 2-0 thanks to second half strikes from Seiya Kambayashi and Josh Symons at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.
The Sharks’ seemingly cannot buy a goal at the moment as their malaise in front of the posts continues unabated and were eventually put to the sword by a slick APIA side that could have netted more throughout the match but for desperate defending.
But it was Kambayashi who spun in the area to fire a low shot into the net to give APIA the lead with Josh Symons doubling the scoreline with a simple tap in after Danijel Nizic, Sharks’ ‘keeper, initially blocked a Sean Symons effort after the break.
APIA started fast forcing the Sharks to defend strongly and pinning the home side predominantly in their own half during the opening stages until Richard Shoueki was played through before sending his curling shot wide of the mark in the 7th minute when breaking through on the counter.
Presley Ortiz ran through moments later but sadly for the striker, beating the offside trap, dragged his effort wide in reply.
Danijel Nizic was then forced in to two fine , taking a knock in the process, as APIA threatened from a Kambatashi corner, the defence finally managed to scramble away.
The visitors were dominating both the corner count and possession however Sutherland refused to play the long ball and looked to pass their way toward goal when the opportunity arose, albeit sporadic, with some success but their Achilles heel resurfaced when it came to the final ball.
After another succession of corners, Ortiz found himself in space on the right side of the area but again pulled his shot across the face and beyond the framework although Jerry Skotadis at the other end, hit an absolute screamer from 25-yards out that Oliver Kalac, in the APIA net, managed to turn onto the post to deny a Sutherland opener. A rasping shot the ‘keeper did very well to reach. It was followed up by a shot-cum-cross from the same player that Kalac gobbled up with ease.
The Sharks appeared to have weathered the storm in a momentum shift in the game.
Ortiz was making clever runs in and around the area and popped up again, this time on the left, but lashed another shot over the crossbar. It wasn’t the easiest of chances but APIA were finding him with alarming regularity.
Jordan Segreto came close with a free-kick that slipped past the upright as APIA once more pushed forward but it remained goalless at the break. A half that produced several decent chances but none were taken.
Kambayashi slid in at the back stick on the restart but squandered a glorious opportunity for the visitors to take the lead. He made amends in the 53rd minute when the ball was drilled in low and he turned to fire APIA ahead with Ortiz almost adding a second immediately but seeing his effort well blocked this time.
Sutherland, if they were to garner anything from the match, would need to find the net in the remaining minutes, something they have failed to do since the end of March against a solid, well drilled APIA outfit it would prove a tough ask.
Indeed, APIA lined up in having shots at the Sharks’ goal before half-time substitute Maksim Kasalovic eventually fired over, Sutherland doing well to clear their lines previously.
A slip by Joel Bertolissio allowed Sutherland a clear run on goal but unfortunately for the home side the shot was again fired wide of the upright but it was APIA who would strike next when both Symons’ brothers combined, Sean teeing it up for Josh to tap home and extend the lead. It was a deserved outcome after the visitors coach, Franco Parisi, made a raft of changes in emptying his bench except for the reserve Gloveman.
It should have been three but for desperate defending blocking APIA’s attempts before Sean Symons contrived to thump the ball into the ground and over the woodwork late on but with no further addition to the score, Sutherland were consigned to another home defeat.
Match Stats
Sutherland Sharks: 0
APIA Leichhardt: 2 (Seiya Kambayashi 53’, Josh Symons 73’)
Seymour Shaw Park Saturday, 3rd May, 2025
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistants: Thomas Gellatly and Patrick Teleki Fourth Official: Jackson Tippett
Sutherland Sharks: 1. Danijel Nizic, 2. Lachlan Macdonald, 6. Mohamed Ahmed, 7. Peter Grozos (44. Tye McGowan 82’), 8. Nick Sullivan, 15. Matthew Moric, 17. Richard Shoueiki, (9. Reuben Awaritefe 71’) 20.Jacob Tresoglavic (26. Ikko Ehode Arimoto 90+6’), 21. Jerry Skotadis, 22. Kotaro Katsuta, 23. Mason Fernandez Subs not used: 3. Jordan Roberts, 14. Dylan Susovic, 30. Sebastian Arranz Yellow Cards: Nick Sullivan 20’
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt: 30. Oliver Kalac, 12. Seiya Kambayashi (22. Eddie Caspers 71’), 4. Josh Symons, 6. Anthony Sparacino, 8. Joel Bertlissio, 9. Presley Ortiz (21. Michael Kouta 69’), 11. Rory Jordan (30. Alex Denmead 64’), 16. Sean Symons, 41. Jordan Segreto (7. Jack Stewart 64’), 18. Adrian Ucchino (29. Maksim Kasalovic 46’), 99.Franco Farinella
Subs not used: 1. Anthony Bouzanis
Yellow Cards: Franco Farinella 55’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Seiya Kambayashi (AL)
2 – Josh Symons (AL)
1 – Peter Grozos (SS)
By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock
