Preliminary Finals Review – NPL Men’s NSW
APIA Leichhardt FC will face Rockdale Ilinden in next Saturday’s 2025 National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW Grand Final at Jubilee Stadium after winning its respective Preliminary Final matches on Sunday.
APIA 2 v Marconi 0 @ Lambert Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
At Lambert Park, APIA Leichhardt advanced to the big dance with a 2-0 victory over 2024 Champions Marconi Stallions at Lambert Park.
It was Dredon Kelly who opened the scoring for the home side, finding the back of the net with a towering header off a beautiful Sean Symons corner.
In the second half, APIA doubled their lead in the 70th minute thanks to a Presley Ortiz tap-in, which was created by some brilliant work from Franco Farinella after being released in behind by Seiya Kambayashi.
The two goals supplied the goods for APIA, who will enter the Grand Final for the first time since 2019 where they will face Rockdale Ilinden.
NWS Spirit 1 v Rockdale 2 @ Christie Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
The 2024 Premiers, Rockdale Ilinden needed an after extra-time winner from Moudi Najjar to secure its place in the competition’s biggest day of the year knockout out newly crowned Premiers NWS Spirit FC 2-1 at Christie Park.
After a scoreless first half the game ignited at the beginning of the second where the league’s Golden Boot winner Alec Urosevski fired home from close range.
The hosts won themselves a penalty in the 56th minute which Andre Takami took but Nick Sorras saved before Harry Keys smashed home to give NWS Spirit FC a new lease of life.
The match ended in a draw with the game headed to extra time, Najjar was clinical as in the opening minute he struck following a great ball from Urosevski which was enough to earn them a spot in this year’s final.
The pair met at Jubilee Stadium in the 2024 Waratah Cup Final which APIA took out convincingly 3-0, but sparks are sure to fly when these two teams meet as they battle for the title of being crowned Champions of NSW.
2025 NPL Men’s NSW Grand Final
Saturday 13th September 2025
APIA Leichhardt FC v Rockdale Ilinden
6pm @ Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
