Stallions denied late as APIA fight back in derby classic
APIA Leichhardt and Marconi Stallions have once again delivered a Derby d’Italia classic, sharing the spoils in a gripping 1-1 draw at Lambert Park that had drama, tension and moments of real quality from start to finish.
In a contest where neither side was willing to blink, it took a stunning late equaliser to split the two heavyweight contenders in yet another memorable chapter of this fierce rivalry.
As ever in this storied rivalry, the opening stages were tight and combative, with both sides throwing themselves into every challenge and refusing to concede an inch. Clear chances were limited early, but the intensity never dropped in a compelling midfield battle.
The first real opening arrived in the 28th minute for APIA. A sharp dribble from Cameron Fong saw the right-back break into the box before finding Alex Denmead. The forward laid the ball back into the path of Seiya Kambayashi, who shaped to shoot, but saw his effort well blocked.
APIA were beginning to build momentum, but Marconi almost struck against the run of play moments later. A dangerous free-kick delivery from Franco Maya floated to the back post, where Damien Tsekenis reacted first, directing a touch goalwards only to be denied by the crossbar in a huge let-off for the hosts.
APIA responded through Denmead again, as Franco Farinella slipped him in behind on the right. The winger fired at goal, but Quinten Blair did well to apply pressure and force the shot off target.
The breakthrough arrived in the 55th minute and it was a moment of pure brilliance from Marconi’s storied captain Marko Jesic. After George Daniel’s cross was cleared to the edge of the box, Jesic controlled the ball before unleashing a stunning strike into the top-left corner, giving the Stallions a deserved lead in spectacular fashion.
Marconi nearly doubled their advantage in the 66th minute. Jack Armson expertly picked out Tsekenis with a superb through ball, and despite strong defensive pressure from Eijin Kishimoto and Themba Muata-Marlow, the striker created space for a shot, only to be met by a crucial save from Oliver Kalac to keep APIA alive in the contest.
From there, Marconi sat deeper and absorbed pressure, looking to exploit space on the counter, while APIA struggled to break down a well-organised defensive block as the derby intensified.
However, APIA refused to go down quietly. Deep into stoppage time, Cameron Fong produced one final decisive moment, delivering a pinpoint ball into the box. Super sub Levi Sciuriaga timed his run perfectly, taking a composed first touch before finishing clinically to rescue a dramatic late equaliser for the hosts.
The goal denied Marconi a vital victory and ensured the points were shared in a classic derby encounter that once again lived up to its billing.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt FC 1 (Levi Sciuriaga 93′)
Marconi Stallions FC 1 (Marko Jesic 55′)
Sunday 24 May, 2026
Lambert Park
Referee: Thomas Dale
Assistant Referees: Arinath Gobinath and Isaac Riggs
Fourth Official: Charlie Hollings
APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi (11. Rory Jordan 62’), 4. Eijin Kishimoto, 9. Presley Ortiz (26. Oscar Gonzalez 72’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow (C), 19. Fabian Monge (8. Michael Konestabo 62’), 21. Michael Kouta (3. Navid Alizada 72’), 22. Edward Caspers (23. Levi Sciuriaga 78’), 24. Cameron Fong, 30. Alex Denmead, 99. Franco Farinella
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Alexander Parkes, 25. Kyle Shaw
Yellow Cards: Muata-Marlow 28’, Kouta 59’
Red Cards: None
Marconi Stallions FC: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. George Daniel, 6. Teng Kuol, 7. Franco Maya Valiente, 9. Damien Tsekenis, 10. Marko Jesic (C) (8. Adam Bugarija 63’), 11. Matej Busek (17. Sunday Yona 82’), 14. Jack Armson, 23. Quinten Blair
Substitutes Not Used: 3. Cameron Windust, 19. Pearson Kasawaya, 20. Oliver Yates, 27. Antonio Marvello
Yellow Cards: Kuol 59’, Blair 75’
Red Cards: None
Player ratings:
3 – Marko Jesic (MAR)
2 – Cameron Fong (APIA)
1 – Anton Mlinaric (MAR)
-By Jack George
