Second-half show secures APIA win against Wolves
Two second-half goals helped APIA Leichhardt FC overcome Wollongong Wolves 2-0 on Saturday night at WIN Stadium.
Presley Ortiz opened the scoring soon after halftime, before a sensational long-range effort from captain Adrian Ucchino secured the points for the visitors.
The first half featured few chances as the teams sought space high up the field.
Wolves fullback Dylan Ryan came close within the first 10 minutes, as he headed wide of the right post from a set piece.
APIA held the ball for large parts of the first half as they probed for openings in behind the Wollongong backline.
The side conjured up a chance when Joel Bertolissio sent Ortiz through on goal, but an advancing Daniel Solsky blocked the striker’s prodded effort.
The visitors continued their pursuit of an opening goal, as Caspers lined up from range and sent a strike narrowly past the right post.
However, the teams went into the sheds with the deadlock still to be broken.
Straight after the break, the Wolves produced some positive play and could have been in front. Nicholas Olsen picked out Alex Masciovecchio with a ball over the top, but APIA goalkeeper Oliver Kalac pulled off a crucial save.
Despite Wollongong’s good start to the second half, they conceded a penalty in the 49th minute when Ben Giason tripped Rory Jordan in the box.
Jordan’s defensive endeavour had been key to APIA’s success in keeping the Wolves at bay, with his interceptions and tackles.
Ortiz took responsibility and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, out of Solsky’s reach.
The Wolves almost immediately responded through Masciovecchio, whose left-footed shot from the edge of the box forced Kalac into another save.
Moments later, APIA took the ball down the other end, and substitute Alex Denmead stung Solksy’s palms with an effort from inside the box.
In the 68th minute, the visitors spectacularly doubled their advantage. A left-sided corner worked its way to Adrian Ucchino, who unleashed a looping long-range strike that struck the left apex of the goal as it went in.
Wollongong pushed more numbers forward as they chased a two-goal deficit.
With six regular minutes to play, the hosts had an excellent opportunity to pull one back. Olsen deftly clipped a ball into Lucas Trajcevski’s path in the box, but the youngster skied his shot.
APIA nearly grabbed a third goal in the dying embers when Denmead’s header hit the right post following Eddie Caspers’ right-sided cross.
In the end, the away side took the points with a 2-0 scoreline to keep their strong form going.
APIA coach Franco Parisi said Ucchino’s goal was deserving of three points for his team.
“We love coming to WIN Stadium, it’s a beautiful grass pitch, so it was a stunning Saturday night,” Parisi said.
“We got a penalty and an absolutely world-class goal, something you should see all around the world; Adrian Ucchino.
“It’s worthy of a win. It’s worthy of three points when you see a goal like that.”
Match Stats
Wollongong Wolves FC 0
APIA Leichhardt FC 2 (Presley Ortiz 50’, Adrian Ucchino 68’)
Saturday 24 May 2025
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: Brodie Merchant
Assistant Referees: Matthew Harris and Thomas Gellatly
Fourth Official: Sophie Allum
Wollongong Wolves FC: 13. Daniel Solsky, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 3. Darcy Madden, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 7. Woon Sub Sim (11. Lucas Trajcevski 62’), 17. Marcus Beattie, 21. Nicholas Olsen, 25. Alex Masciovecchio, 29. Ben Giason, 77. Raphael Le’ai (10. Liam Ball 71’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Oliver Yates, 6. James Anagnostopoulos, 8. Sebastian Duarte, 15. Dax Kelly
Yellow Cards: Liam Ball 83’
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt FC: 80. Oliver Kalac, 4. Josh Symons, 6. Anthony Sparacino, 7. Jack Stewart (30. Alex Denmead 46’), 8. Joel Bertolissio (17. Jordan Segreto 65’), 9. Presley Ortiz, 11. Rory Jordan, 16. Sean Symons (21. Michael Kouta 46’), 18. Adrian Ucchino, 22. Eddie Caspers, 41. Nicholas Azzone (23. Cameron Fong 5’) (2. Seiya Kambayashi 79’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Anthony Bouzanis
Yellow Cards: Jordan Segreto 88’, Josh Symons 90+1’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Rory Jordan (AL)
2 – Oliver Kalac (AL)
1 – Adrian Ucchino (AL)
Report by Tim Gibson
