Sydney United 58 secure 2026 NPL Men’s NSW Championship
Sydney United 58 stood tall to seal a domestic double as they overcame APIA Leichhardt 3-1 at Jubilee Stadium to win the 2026 National Premier Leagues Men’s Championship.
United 58 proved to be best on the day as they downed the premiers to win their first Championship since 2020, adding to their superb 2026 campaign which also saw them win the Waratah Cup.
United 58 took an early lead in the 17th minute in the aftermath of a Mason Wells corner from the right.
Goalkeeper Oliver Kalac punched the ball away as far as Carlos De Oliveira who creatively volleyed it onto the crossbar, with Michael Krslovic able to pounce on the rebound and send the ball into the top right corner.
United 58 squandered a golden chance to make it two just minutes later in the 20th when Leroy Jennings had a shot saved by Kalac at the bottom right which went straight to Carlos De Oliveira again there to receive the ball.
The midfielder was ready to knock in the rebound but a crucial block by Edward Caspers redirected his shot onto the left post to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
Wells produced another vital corner delivery from the right that this time earned him the assist as Jennings headed the ball home to make it 2-0 in the 30th minute.
APIA created their first threatening chance in the 38th minute when Fabian Monge delivered a perfect cross to Themba Muata-Marlow in the box, though the centre half sent his header just over the crossbar.
The premiers came even closer in the 40th minute when Jack Stewart had a curling shot on his left saved by keeper Adam Pavlesic, with Caspers’ subsequent shot from the rebound going wide of the target.
United 58 came out of the break sharp and came close to their third in the 49th minute when Dylan Rose drove with the ball towards goal before sending it to Krslovic in the box, who then took a shot that forced another save out of Kalac.
Half-time substitute Jordan Segreto breathed life into the contest with a gorgeous strike from range in the 56th minute, smacking the ball beautifully on the volley with his weaker left foot into the top left corner to bring the premiers back into the game.
The Leichhardt outfit was inches away from levelling the game in the 62nd minute after Ortiz danced down the right flank before sending a low ball across goal to Konestabo at the back post, but the midfielder could not get the right connection as he sent his shot wide of the post.
United 58 held firm and finished the game with one final goal coming in the 90+5th minute via a counter-attack, with Gabriel Tilo showing composure to lob the ball past Kalac into the net with the final kick of the game.
Michael Krslovic won the honour of player of the match.
United 58 coach Miro Vlastelica admitted it is massive for them to win the Championship, noting its significance for their efforts all year as well to their supporters (many of whom came out to the stadium in the thousands).
“It’s a culmination of all the hard work and effort we put in all year behind the scenes. People only see this, but the sacrifices the boys make all year and the work they put in, for them to be rewarded with this is what it is all about,” Vlastelica told Football NSW.
He stated that the sentiment pre-season that they might not have a good season played a small role in their success.
“I thank them because that gave us extra fuel, not necessarily to prove people wrong but to push us even more.”
A key decision from the game was United 58 electing to play centre back Michael Glassock in midfielder, something which coach Miro Vlastelica said was done with the goal of strengthening their midfield and stymying APIA.
“The whole decision was done to help Dylan Role get a little bit higher up the park and suffocate APIA when they’re trying to play. There were moments it worked very well, especially early on when we also managed to get those two goals.”
APIA coach Franco Parisi said he was quite happy with his team’s performance in spite of the outcome.
“I was very happy with how we played. To concede two set pieces early on is not great from our perspective, but credit to Sydney United 58 as that was enough in the end for them,” Parisi told Football NSW.
Reflecting on what has been another terrific season, Parisi said the biggest joy he has gotten is growing the players on and off the field.
“We spoke just now in the dressing room and said it was a successful season. We’re developing footballers, three have moved on to the A-League, we’re developing young men who will become better human beings,” Parisi said.
“Whilst at times you may not get the result, when we leave the field every match, we’re proud of the people we are and the football that we’ve played and for me, that’s over and above everything else.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 1 (Jordan Segreto 56’)
Sydney United 58 2 (Michael Krslovic 17’, Leroy Jennings 30’, Gabriel Tilo 90+5’)
Sunday 13 September
Jubilee Stadium
Referee: Thomas Dale
Assistant Referees: Matthew Harris and Liam Smith
Fourth Official: Rowan Fisher
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Oliver Kalac, 7. Jack Stewart, 8. Michael Konestabo (99. Franco Farinella 75’), 9. Presley Ortiz, 11. Rory Jordan (17. Jordan Segreto 46’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow (4. Eijin Kishimoto 46’), 16. Sean Symons, 19. Fabian Monge (6. Frans Deli 75’), 21. Michael Kouta, 22. Edward Caspers, 24. Cameron Fong (30. Alex Denmead 88’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Alexander Parkes, 31. Cristian Lombardo
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United 58: 1. Adam Pavlesic, 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 6. Dylan Rose, 7. Leroy Jennings (2. Julian Cop 88’), 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 14. Liam McGing, 17. Michael Glassock (15. Tomislav Ozanic 70’), 19. Michael Krslovic (12. Gabriel Tilo 70’), 21. Koya Nakano, 23. Mason Wells
Substitutes Not Used: 5. Anthony Tomelic, 8. Tomoki Wada, 22. Nicholas Pratezina, 41. Adrian-Jamie Bazina, 44. Farah Koko
Yellow Cards: Mason Wells 64’, Bailey Rule 82’
Red Cards: Nil
-By Dimitri Kallos
