APIA secure second spot in win over Olympic
APIA Leichhardt have secured second spot on the NPL Men’s NSW ladder with a comprehensive 1-0 victory over Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground.
It was the away side that began as the more threatening team, having multiple shots from in and around Olympic’s area to begin the game.
However, in the 14th minute, it was Sydney Olympic who went the closest so far in the match, with a blistering Ryan Feutz volley narrowly flying over the top of the crossbar.
Two minutes later, APIA responded with a strong opportunity of their own, with a beautiful Seiya Kambayashi touch opening up a shot six yards from goal, but a stunning, last-ditch tackle from Ziggy Gordon denied what would have been a certain goal.
The away side were building momentum, however, with a stinging long-shot from Maksim Kasalovic forcing a strong save from Jack Gibson.
And off the resulting corner, APIA found the opening goal, with a brilliant delivery from Seiya Kambayashi forcing a goal-line scramble, and seeing Rory Jordan find the back of the net.
In the 32nd minute, Olympic had an opportunity to equalise, with a brilliant ball from Seth Clark finding Feutz in behind.
The dangerous winger promptly cut inside his defender, opening up space for a shot which came as a low, driven effort, forcing a save from Oliver Kalac.
It was the away side who created the first chance of the second half, with a brilliant dribble and pass from Michael Kouta finding the run of Presley Ortiz in behind.
The striker controlled the ball brilliantly under heavy pressure from two opponents, and poked a strike towards goal, but he couldn’t find sufficient placement with Gibson making the save.
It was a relatively quiet second-half, with APIA having the larger share of opportunities, but with 15 minutes to go, Olympic weren’t out of it, looking threatening as the away side was determined to hang onto their top-two spot.
However, the home side struggled to muster any momentum, with APIA cantering to a 1-0 victory at Belmore Sports Ground meaning they will by-pass the Elimination Final next Wednesday evening and play in the semis next weekend.
APIA coach Franco Parisi was proud of his sides performance: “Like every game, three points, clean sheet, that’s always exciting.
“It was a slower game today, I think you get that on a Sunday afternoon on a very dry, but impressive Belmore oval.
“So I’m happy with the result, very pleased with the effort from the players and on another day we’d probably score a few more.
“But credit to Olympic, they kept us honest, and they had a few moments for themselves, but for the regular season, we end on a high.”
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic FC 0
APIA Leichhardt FC 1 (Jordan 18’)
Sunday 31 August, 2025
Belmore Sports Ground
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Thomas Gellatly and Joshua Eiser
Fourth Official: Jackson Tippett
Sydney Olympic FC: 1. Jack Gibson, 2. James Donachie, 5. Ziggy Gordon, 9. Cyrus Dehmie, 11. Adam Parkhouse, 12. Zac Zoricich, 14. Seth Clark, 15. Luca Pecora (3. Connor O’Toole 45’), 17. Joshua Hong (6. Thomas Whiffen 72’ (28. Samuel Bosnjak 82’)), 18. Teng Kuol (10. Jack Armson 61’), 19. Ryan Feutz (7. Michael Vakis 45’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Sean Suzuki
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
APIA Leichhardt FC: 80. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi (30. Alex Denmead 62’), 5. Dredon Kelly (16. Sean Symons 55’), 6. Patrick Flottmann, 7. Jack Stewart (19. Fabian Monge 45’), 9. Presley Ortiz (14. Max Court 72’), 11. Rory Jordan, 21. Michael Kouta (C), 24. Cameron Fong, 29. Maksim Kasalovic (22. Eddie Caspers 62’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Alexander Parkes
Yellow Cards: Kelly 54’, Flottmann 56’
Red Cards: None
Player ratings:
3 – Rory Jordan (APIA)
2 – Michael Kouta (APIA)
1 – Cameron Fong (APIA)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
