St George City stun leaders APIA in Penshurst Park upset
St George City FA produced a disciplined and determined performance to defeat league leaders APIA Leichhardt 2-1 at Penshurst Park in Round 15 of the NPL NSW Men’s competition, backing up last week’s win over Sutherland Sharks with another statement result.
Goals from Yohn Pederson and Hiroto Dohmoto in the first half proved decisive, with substitute Alex Denmead pulling one back for APIA late on, but the visitors ultimately fell to just their second defeat of the season.
The match exploded into life almost immediately, with St George’s Dohmoto forcing a strong early save from Oliver Kalac inside the opening minute after creating space down the right flank.
The home side struck first in the 6th minute. A cross from Matthew Jackson deflected kindly into the path of Pederson, who made no mistake from close range, heading home to give St George the lead.
APIA responded with pressure of their own, with Jackson continuing to threaten when he cut inside and fired into the side netting in the 19th minute. Moments later, the visitors missed a golden chance to equalise when Seiya Kambayashi’s excellent delivery found Michael Konestabo, who surprisingly fired over from close range.
Instead, it was St George who doubled their advantage in the 26th minute with a moment of quality. After a long clearance from goalkeeper Jack Kenny and a flick-on from Pederson, Dohmoto unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box that flew into the bottom corner.
APIA pushed to respond before the break, with Lewis Miccio sending a dangerous effort just over, while a looping ball from Jack Stewart drifted narrowly over the crossbar in the final moments of the half.
The visitors came out strongly after the break, with Presley Ortiz denied by Kenny in a key one-on-one chance in the 58th minute as APIA began to camp inside the St George half.
Despite sustained pressure, St George held firm and nearly added a third in the 75th minute when Dohmoto again tested Kalac from close range.
APIA coach Franco Parisi made multiple attacking changes in search of a breakthrough, and the pressure eventually told in the 80th minute. A defensive lapse allowed Alex Denmead to pounce, finishing into the bottom corner to set up a tense final 10 minutes.
The visitors pressed late, including a Jack Stewart effort over the bar, but St George remained resilient under pressure to secure a valuable three points.
Speaking after the match, St George City coach Mirko Jurilj praised his side’s growing resilience and fighting spirit.
“I am ecstatic with the three points and because we are showing a bit of fight” he said.
“We have lacked some fight at times when we have lost this season, but the boys are now showing a lot of character and resilience.
“We know when we have most players fit how we can play and we do have a very decent squad here, but unfortunately injuries have plagued us this season. To beat Sutherland and APIA back to back though is a fairly good effort and I am proud of that.
“I am very comfortable with getting the three points and having jumped a few places on the table and, as we start the reverse fixtures, we hope to build momentum off these two victories.”
APIA coach Franco Parisi, meanwhile, admitted the small margins decided the contest, noting his side spent much of the game in opposition territory but were punished by key moments in the first half that ultimately shaped the result.
“It was a tough game on a small field and it is challenging to score here,” he stated to Football NSW.
“However, the game is there to be won for both teams and St George found some moments in the first half and those two goals made it difficult for us.
“I thought that we played the majority of the game in St George’s half but they found the key moments that in the end decided the game.”
Match Stats
St GEORGE CITY FA: 2 (Pederson 6’, Dohmoto 26’)
APIA LEICHHARDT FC: 1 (Denmead 81’)
Saturday 16th May
Penshurst Park
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant referees: Aaron Bloch, Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Alec Baele
St GEORGE CITY FA: 1. Jack Kenny, 2. Matthew Wahby, 3. Benjamin Berry, 4. Solomon Monahan-Vaiika, 5. Lewis Miccio (20. Theph Theph 71’), 8. Stefano Rossello (33. Louis Khoury 71’), 16. Yohn Pederson (30. Ahmad Taleb 81’), 19. Roman Culina, 23. Hiroto Dohmoto (10. Paolo Mitry 88’), 25. Brodie Clarkson, 27. Matthew Jackson (11. Jesse Photi 46’).
Substitutes not used: 7. Oscar Gultekin, 21. Stavros Skotadis.
Yellow Cards: Kenny 67’
Red Cards: Nil
APIA LEICHHARDT FC: 1. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 7. Jack Stewart, 8. Michael Konestabo (11. Rory Jordan 77’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons (23. Levi Sciuriaga 71), 19. Fabian Monge (25. Kyle Shaw 71’), 21. Michael Kouta, 22. Edward Caspers, 24. Cameron Fong (30. Alex Denmead 67’), 26. Oscar Gonzalez (9. Presley Ortiz 46’).
Substitutes not used: 20. Alexander Parkes, 99. Franco Farinella.
Yellow Cards: Kalac 94’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Hiroto Dohmoto (St George)
2 – Edward Caspers (APIA)
1 – Roman Culina (St George)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
