APIA Complete Stunning Comeback To Sink Wanderers In Eight-Goal Thriller
APIA Leichhardt FC produced a stunning second-half comeback to claim a thrilling 5-3 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers FC at Wanderers Football Park on Saturday afternoon.
In an eight-goal contest full of attacking quality and momentum swings, the Wanderers twice held the lead in the opening half before APIA turned the match around after the break to secure three valuable points in their Premiership push.
The hosts started strongly, with Johnny Pavlovic leading the line and creating a pair of early half-chances as Wanderers looked to take control.
APIA responded through a set piece, with Michael Kouta delivering a dangerous ball into the area, although no gold shirts were able to connect.
Wanderers eventually broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Jesse Cameron found space and produced a composed finish, curling his effort beyond APIA goalkeeper Oliver Kalac.
Buoyed by the opener, the hosts continued to push forward, with Tristan Arrante breaking into the penalty area before firing narrowly wide.
APIA found their equaliser in the 30th minute following a flowing attacking move. Cameron Fong started the move before Jack Stewart and Max Court combined to create the opening for Rory Jordan, who drilled home to make it 1-1.
The momentum swung back towards Wanderers shortly after, with Awan Lual capitalising on an errant APIA pass before firing home in the 36th minute to restore the hosts’ advantage.
APIA immediately searched for another response, with Jordan setting up Presley Ortiz, only for Wanderers goalkeeper Lachlan Allen to deny the forward.
The visitors eventually found their second equaliser in the 40th minute after sustained pressure, with the ball being turned into the net by a Wanderers defender to make it 2-2.
However, the scores were level for just one minute, with Lual striking again at the other end to complete his brace and send Wanderers into the break leading 3-2.
The second half continued at the same frantic pace, with Ortiz immediately threatening after the restart, forcing Allen into another important save.
APIA were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute after Max Court was brought down inside the box. Ortiz stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to level the match for the third time.
Substitute Seiya Kambayashi then had a chance to put APIA ahead for the first time, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Wanderers substitute Giorgio Hassarati also came close to restoring the lead, beating his defender before chipping an effort narrowly wide.
The breakthrough finally arrived for APIA in the 75th minute. Ortiz found space before threading the ball through to Court, who slid the finish home to complete the turnaround and make it 4-3.
APIA then extended their advantage in the 81st minute after being awarded their second penalty of the afternoon. Ortiz was brought down after making a clever run behind the defence and stepped up himself to calmly convert and seal a memorable 5-3 victory.
The visitors managed the closing stages well to secure all three points and maintain their push towards the Premiership.
Following the match, Western Sydney Wanderers coach Luca Andreacchio praised his side’s effort despite the result.
“I am very proud of the group, against such a good side, but we needed to manage the game a bit better.
“It felt like a tightly contested game of football and I just reiterate being proud of the group today,” Andreacchio said.
APIA Leichhardt coach Franco Parisi highlighted his side’s second-half improvement and their ability to respond in a crucial contest.
“It felt like some of our pre-season hit-outs against the Wanderers. I had to remind the boys it was a competition game and we needed the points.
“Thankfully the second half, we put it together against a Wanderers side that likes to play forward,” Parisi said.
Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 3 (Cameron ’15 Lual ’36 ‘41)
APIA Leichhardt FC 5 (Jordan ’30 OG ’40 Ortiz ’58 ‘81 Court ‘75)
Saturday 18 July 2026
Wanderers Football Park
Referee: Joshua Attard
Assistant Referees: Lucy Hungerford & Sebastian Ruskin
Fourth Official: Charlotte Flynn
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 3. Pearson Kasawaya (23. Oscar Moore ’59), 4. Ricky Fransen, 5. Jesse Cameron, 6. Oscar Morrison, 9. Awan Lual, 10. Johnny Pavlovic (28. Giorgo Hassarati ’63), 16. Tristan Arrante (34. Jordan Owusu ’81), 17. Joshua Cetinic (21. Rocco Macnamara ’59), 25. Marko Radovancevic, 30. Anderson Back, 35. Lachlan Allen
Unused subs: 1. Lucas Sinnott, 19. Ewan Gasowski, 75. Marcus Savic
Yellow cards: Kasawaya ’17 Arrante ’48 ‘80
Red cards: nil
APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Oliver Kalac, 6. Frans Deli (16. Sean Symons ’45), 7. Jack Stewart (22. Edward Caspers ’45), 9. Presley Ortiz, 11. Rory Jordan (17. Jordan Segreto ’76), 14. Max Court (8. Michael Konestabo ’76), 15, Themba Muata-Marlow (2. Seiya Kambayashi ’31), 19. Fabian Monge, 21. Michael Kouta, 24. Cameron Fong, 25. Kyle Shaw
Unused subs: 20. Alexander Parkes, 99. Franco Farinella
Yellow cards: Deli ’33
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Max Court (APIA)
2: Awan Lual (WSW)
1: Presley Ortiz (APIA)
By Justin Davies
