APIA Leichhardt Secure Back-To-Back Grand Final Berths
APIA Leichhardt will once again compete in the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW Grand Final after overcoming NWS Spirit 3-0 at Lambert Park on Sunday evening.
The three decisive goals all arrived in the second half, with Jack Stewart, Presley Ortiz and substitute Levi Sciuriaga finding the back of the net to send the Premiers into another Grand Final.
The second Semi-Final of 2026 had all the makings of an instant classic, with two of the competition’s strongest teams over the past two seasons facing off for the remaining spot in next Sunday’s Grand Final.
The 2026 Premiers, APIA Leichhardt, were aiming to keep their Championship defence alive and become the first team to go back-to-back since the Bankstown City Lions in 2003-04 and 2004-05.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Premiers, NWS Spirit, were hoping to make their maiden Grand Final appearance after falling at the Semi-Final stage to Rockdale Ilinden last year.
Fresh from their Elimination Final upset against Marconi Stallions on Wednesday night, Spirit started the stronger of the two sides and produced the first chance of the Semi-Final after just nine minutes.
An inswinging free-kick was met by the front-post run of Grant Cornwell, who headed the ball hard into the ground.
APIA goalkeeper Oliver Kalac reacted brilliantly, getting down low to his left to push the effort away from danger.
APIA soon responded with an opportunity of their own.
Presley Ortiz cut the ball back from the byline to Michael Konestabo, who attempted to beat Spirit goalkeeper Jay Coates at his near post.
The effort, however, could not be directed on target and went wide of the post.
The first half continued at a high and frantic pace, with both sides searching for the elusive opening goal.
Jack Stewart and Corey Kavanagh came closest for their respective sides, but neither could find the breakthrough as the opening 45 minutes ended scoreless.
The result left no clear indication as to which side would advance to the Grand Final.
The second half began with the same intensity, with both teams registering opportunities inside the opening three minutes.
The breakthrough would finally arrive moments later, with APIA awarded a penalty after Ortiz was brought down by Kyah Williams.
Jack Stewart stepped up and made no mistake, driving his penalty low into the bottom-left corner to give APIA the lead and move the Premiers one step closer to another Grand Final appearance.
Needing an immediate response, Spirit looked towards their bench for fresh energy.
However, it was APIA who would strike again and strengthen their grip on the Grand Final berth.
Breaking quickly on the counter-attack, Rory Jordan played a perfectly weighted through ball to Ortiz.
With only one defender left to beat, the co-Golden Boot winner kept his composure and rolled the ball underneath Coates to give APIA a two-goal cushion with 25 minutes remaining.
Spirit refused to surrender.
With their season on the line, the visitors pressed and probed for a way back into the contest, but the APIA back four remained resolute, repeatedly keeping the Spirit attack at bay.
APIA eventually put the result beyond doubt with just three minutes remaining.
Substitute Levi Sciuriaga was in the right place at the right time to tap home the Premiers’ third goal and spark the celebrations among the Marronazzuri faithful.
The final whistle confirmed another Grand Final appearance for APIA Leichhardt, who will now have the opportunity to defend their 2025 Championship.
Speaking post-match, APIA head coach Franco Parisi was full of praise for his side, while also acknowledging the challenge posed by Spirit.
“Firstly I want to say that Spirit were awesome, their run home was excellent and the mid-week fixture is not easy,” Parisi said.
“I loved that the whole 90 minutes we committed to playing football, and that is something we can focus on.”
The result confirms that APIA Leichhardt will face Sydney United 58 in next Sunday’s National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW Grand Final at Jubilee Stadium.
It will mark the seventh time the two footballing giants have faced each other across the past 12 months, setting up another huge chapter in their growing rivalry.
For NWS Spirit, they once again fall at the Semi-Final hurdle, bringing an end to a remarkable campaign that saw them qualify for the finals on the final day of the regular season before knocking out one of the Championship favourites, Marconi Stallions.
The defeat also brings an end to Sergio Malfara’s reign at the club, with the highly regarded coach now moving into a full-time coaching role with A-League side Sydney FC.
For APIA, however, the focus now turns to Jubilee and the opportunity to complete a memorable season with back-to-back Championship triumphs.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 3 (Jack Stewart 53’, Presley Ortiz 65’, Levi Sciuriaga 87’)
NWS Spirit 0
Sunday 6 September 2026
Lambert Park
Referee: Noah Moss
Assistant Referees: Isaac Riggs and Sebastian Ruskin
Fourth Official: Alexandar Zastavnikovic
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Oliver Kalac, 7. Jack Stewart, 8. Michael Konestabo (99. Franco Farinella 78’), 9. Presley Ortiz (23. Levi Sciuriaga 80’), 11. Rory Jordan (17. Jordan Segreto 65’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons, 19. Fabian Monge (6. Frans Deli 78’), 21. Michael Kouta, 22. Edward Caspers, 24. Cameron Fong
Substitutes Not Used: 4. Eijin Kishimoto, 20. Alexander Parkes, 31. Cristian Lombardo
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
NWS Spirit: 2. Aiden Mostofi, 3. Kyah Williams (19. Zayne Ahluwalia 82’), 4. Bradie Smith (18. Andre Takami 62’), 5. Owen Henderson (32. Thomas Mason 82’), 6. Corey Kavanagh, 8. Grant Cornwell, 10. Kosta Petratos, 12. Jay Coates, 13. Simon Nicholas, 15. Sam Armson (34. Obinna Nwamadi 62’), 21. Noah Peacock (14. Benjamin Duroux 72’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Christopher Marques, 20. Tristan Hammond
Yellow Cards: Bradie Smith 54’, Andre Takami 69’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Michael Kouta (APL)
2 – Michael Konestabo (APL)
1 – Presley Ortiz (APL)
By Keane McKenna
