Ilinden shell shocked by ruthless APIA in statement win
APIA Leichhardt have knocked Rockdale Ilinden off the table with a significant 4-1 victory away from home on Sunday afternoon.
The result at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre now sees Marconi Stallions three points clear at the top of the table, while APIA are four behind the new league leaders after winning their fifth league match in a row.
It was the home side who provided the early threat, with Rockdale having multiple shots from outside the box in the opening 10 minutes without troubling Oliver Kalac.
APIA weren’t without chances in the opening stages, however, looking dangerous with their short, sharp interplay around the box.
And it was the away side who capitalised on an early moment to secure the lead, with a Michael Kouta goal seeing APIA strike first in the 17th minute.
A James Nikolovski deflection off a Jack Stewart shot led to a corner on the left side, which Kambayashi went to take.
The crafty wide midfielder swung in a brilliant, tantalising ball, which flew over the outstretched gloves of Nicholas Sorras and was met by the ever-present Michael Kouta, who triumphantly headered the ball into an empty net.
In the exact same minute of their league fixture earlier this season, and in the Waratah Cup final last year, where Kouta was again the scorer, it was an APIA set piece that opened the scoring in this fabled fixture.
The away side continued a strong spell following their goal, and in the 28th minute created a brilliant chance to add an early second.
After being found by a long square pass from Kambayashi, Jack Stewart produced a brilliant burst of acceleration to beat his marker, before driving forward in a central position.
He then slid a brilliant pass in behind to Presley Ortiz, which attracted the attention of Sorras, who quickly rushed out from the goalmouth.
The goalkeeper had stranded himself, but had made what turned out to be the right decision, rushing Ortiz into a rushed shot and making a crucial save.
But in the 40th minute, APIA did double their lead with a brilliant team goal.
Starting off a goalkick, Oliver Kalac played a one-two with Dredon Kelly, before pinging a ball out to Sean Symons, who was free on the left.
Symons strode forward, before winging Kambayashi inside, who promptly helped the ball on to Eddie Caspers.
Continuing the flow, Caspers played in Jack Stewart, and inside the box, the winger saw his shot blocked by an alert Nikolovski.
However, the rebound fell into the path of Fabian Monge, who lashed a perfect shot into the bottom left-corner, finishing off a beautiful move.
On the verge of halftime, APIA almost made it three, with Ortiz getting on the end of another golden chance.
After some slick interplay down the right flank, Cameron Fong slide a ball into Stewart, who was able to turn inside the box.
He played a sharp ball into the path of Ortiz, who just had to pass the ball into an empty net, but somehow missed the target, and the visitors were unable to take a three goal lead into halftime.
After a stop-start beginning to the second half, a shot from Brendan Cholakian provided the first threat for Rockdale, as the attacking midfielder saw a menacingly powerful effort drift just wide of the far post.
In the 59th minute, Rockdale went the closest they’d been all game, with Alec Urosevski almost netting a magical goal.
Receiving the ball with space outside the box, the striker quickly dribbled into the area.
Then, from an acute angle on his weaker foot, Urosevski attempted an audacious chip which just glanced off the crossbar, centimetres away from making it game on at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
But in the 64th minute, James Nikolovski did just that, striking back for the home side to set up an exhilarating final half hour.
On the second phase of a corner, Lochlan Constable picked up the ball and glided towards the right flank, dribbling towards the byline.
He then lofted in a brilliant ball, right onto the six-yard box, which Nikolovski connected with, despite being pulled to the ground in the process.
The central defender showed a sensational mixture of determination and technique to meet the ball, finding the top-left corner and halving the away side’s lead.
But just as Rockdale were beginning to mount a comeback, Ali Auglah put the game well back in APIA’s favour.
In a tussle with Cameron Fong and after consultation with the fourth official, referee Ivica Covic brandished a red card to reduce the home side to ten men.
However, Rockdale continued to chase the match, with APIA looking increasingly nervous with their single-goal lead.
As the minutes went on, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre became increasingly tense, with the home side having multiple late set pieces as they searched for their equaliser.
But in stoppage time, APIA found a crushing third goal, securing a crucial three points against the now former league leaders.
After making a comfortable catch, Oliver Kalac threw the ball out to Kambayashi, who received with time on the left flank.
With the outside of his right boot, the Japanese maestro effortlessly released a perfect pass into the path of the onrushing Alex Denmead, who broke the defensive line to receive.
Bearing down on goal with just the keeper to beat, the young forward made no mistake, striking home to put the game beyond doubt.
And with moments remaining, a penalty won by Franco Farinella was dispatched by Kouta, earning his second of the game and an invaluable three points for APIA Leichhardt FC.
“It’s a very important three points,” said APIA coach Franco Parisi on the result.
“Coming here to Rockdale on a Sunday afternoon, it’s a typical NPL battle, but once we got through the battle I thought the football was good.
“I’m very pleased with our boys, they were up for both the football and the physical challenge, so I’m very proud to get three points in a hard-fought NPL game.
“We’re disappointed to concede a goal but pleased to score four with some sexy football in all of them, and we will keep moving forward.”
On a side note Football NSW is wishing Giorgio Speranza a speedy recovery following his injury at the break.
Match Stats
Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 (Nikolovski 64’)
APIA Leichhardt FC 4 (Kouta 17’, 90+6’, Monge 40’, Denmead 90+3’)
Sunday 13 July, 2025
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch and James Makris
Fourth Official: Matt Staples
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. Nicholas Sorras, 4. James Nikolovski, 5. Giorgio Speranza (9. Moudi Najjar 45’), 7. Alec Urosevski (C), 8. Jerry Skotadis, 10. Brendan Cholakian (23. Oliver Puflett 80’), 11. Lochlan Constable, 14. Brayden Sorge, 24. Ali Auglah, 88. Christopher McStay, 99. Matthew Keremelevski (16. Michael Marcevski 84’)
Substitutes Not Used: 15. Daniel-Ray Djurovic, 20. Ronan Mulgrew, 46. Paul Kalamvokis
Yellow Cards: Skotadis 31’
Red Cards: Auglah 72’
APIA Leichhardt FC: 80. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 7. Jack Stewart (11. Rory Jordan 90+4’), 8. Joel Bertolissio, 9. Presley Ortiz (30. Alex Denmead 78’), 14. Cameron Fong (18. Adrian Ucchino 90+4’), 16. Sean Symons (C), 19. Fabian Monge (29. Maksim Kasalovic 78’), 21. Michael Kouta, 22. Eddie Caspers (6. Franco Farinella 73’), 23. Dredon Kelly
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Anthony Bouzanis
Yellow Cards: Fong 29’, Farinella 75’, Symons 84’
Red Cards: None
Player ratings:
3 – Michael Kouta (APIA)
2 – Seiya Kambayashi (APIA)
1 – Joel Bertolissio (APIA)
