Kuol’s rocket powers Marconi past APIA in Derby d’Italia

Marconi Stallions opened their National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW season with a deserved 2-1 victory over arch-rivals APIA Leichhardt FC in the traditional Derby d’Italia at a picturesque Marconi Stadium, where the pristine playing surface provided the perfect stage for a classic contest.

The Stallions were rarely troubled despite a very late consolation goal from APIA, taking control through a spectacular first-half strike from Teng Kuol before doubling their advantage early in the second stanza following a goalmouth scramble.

The opening exchanges were cagey, with the first genuine opportunity falling Marconi’s way in the 17th minute. Jack Armson, facing his former club, pounced on a loose ball inside the box but slid his diagonal effort narrowly wide.

APIA responded five minutes later when a Seiya Kambayashi corner found Sean Symons, whose glancing header was calmly cleared by Kuol, the Stallions’ newly recruited defender from Sydney Olympic.

Moments later, Kuol made his presence felt at the other end. A ball played across from the left flank was met first time by the towering defender, who unleashed a thunderous strike into the bottom corner, leaving Oliver Kalac with no chance. The goal was so fierce that referee Jake Rose, sensing danger, instinctively ducked to avoid interfering with the rocket as it flew past.

Marconi continued to press and went close again in the 36th minute when captain Marko Jesic cut inside from the right before teeing up Damian Tsekenis, whose powerful strike flashed just wide.

With few further chances, the Stallions went into the break holding a narrow but deserved advantage.

The hosts wasted little time after the restart. In the 49th minute, the Jesic–Tsekenis combination again threatened, with Kalac forced into a strong save, turning the ball around the post. From the resulting corner, Marconi doubled their lead. Kalac’s punch only cleared as far as Kuol, whose header sparked a scramble involving Anton Mlinaric, with the ball eventually forced over the line — Kuol credited with his second of the night.

APIA’s first meaningful shot on goal arrived in the 59th minute when Edward Caspers slipped Franco Farinella through, but the forward’s turning effort drifted wide.

Both sides turned to their benches shortly after the hour mark, injecting fresh energy into the contest. APIA enjoyed improved territory, but Marconi remained composed, with Kalac comfortably saving a speculative effort from Adam Bugarija following a defensive mix-up.

The visitors pushed harder late on, creating chances through substitutes Jordan Segreto and Max Court, but neither could convert. APIA finally found the net deep into stoppage time when Oscar Gonzalez reacted sharply to halve the deficit, though it proved little more than consolation as Marconi saw out the result.

Marconi head coach Peter Tsekenis was pleased with the performance and the result.

“We knew both teams were in a similar position with a short off-season, and that managing the conditions would be important,” Tsekenis said.

“With a fairly new squad, including the new boys, I’m 100 per cent happy. Even with some injuries, it was a good start to the season.”

Despite facing a run of away fixtures due to Marconi Stadium’s use as a training venue for the Women’s Asian Cup, Tsekenis remained unfazed.

“It’s business as usual for us, and hopefully our away form continues over the next seven weeks.”

APIA coach Franco Parisi took positives from the latter stages.

“I was happy with the final 30 minutes where we played our football and scored,” Parisi said.

“It’s a long season, and against an organised team like Marconi, opportunities are limited. If we build on how we finished, there’s no concern.”

Match Stats

Marconi Stallions 2 (Teng Kuol 27’, Anton Mlinaric 49’)
APIA Leichhardt FC 1 (Oscar Gonzalez 90+4’)

Saturday 7 February
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park

Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant Referees: Daniel Cornofsky, Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Noah Moss

Marconi Stallions: 1.Joel Wade, 4. Anton Minaric, 5. George Daniel, 6. Teng Kuol (3. Cameron Windust 61’), 7. Franco Maya (8. Adam Bugarija 61’), 9. Damian Tsekenis (12. Julian Monge 88’), 10. Marko Jesic (21. Noah Anderson 61’), 11. Matej Busek, 14. Jack Armson, 16. Luca Pecora, 23. Quinten Blair

Substitutes not used: 15. Aleksandar Duricic, 20. Oliver Yates, 22. Luka Strbac
Yellow Cards: Minaric 38’
Red Cards: Nil

APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 9. Presley Ortiz (29. Oscar Gonzalez 77’), 16. Sean Symons, 19. Fabian Monge (14. Max Court 77’), 21. Michael Kouta, 22. Edward Caspers (11. Rory Jordan 77’), 24. Cameron Fong, 28. Kyle Shaw, 30. Alex Denmead (17. Jordan Segreto 61’), 99. Franco Farinella (8. Michael Konestabo 61’)

Substitutes not used: 20. Alexander Parkes, 37. Nathaniel Giles
Yellow Cards: Caspers 13’, Monge 31’
Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Anton Mlinaric (Marconi Stallions)
2 – Teng Kuol (Marconi Stallions)
1 – Damian Tsekenis (Marconi Stallions)

By NPL Men’s NSW reporter Joe Russo