Sutherland Sharks Stun APIA in Thriller to End Decade-Long Hoodoo

Sutherland Sharks produced a famous victory over APIA Leichhardt, with Yianni Nicolaou, Diego Bonilla and Thijs van Amerongen on the scoresheet in a thrilling 3-2 win at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday evening. 

A Presley Ortiz brace looked to have rescued a point for APIA, but Sutherland held firm to secure their first win over their opponents in over a decade, having lost the previous seven head-to-head meetings.

Nicolaou opened the scoring in style, driving into the APIA area before finishing a well-worked move to give the Sharks a deserved lead at the break.

APIA responded quickly after half-time, with Ortiz levelling shortly after the restart to set up a tense second period.

The goal of the match came in the 61st minute when Bonilla produced a stunning curling effort from distance that rippled the net and restored Sutherland’s advantage.

However, APIA hit back again, with Ortiz grabbing his second goal of the night to bring the visitors level once more.

The decisive moment arrived late when Thijs van Amerongen reacted quickest to a loose ball after Oliver Kalac made a save on the line but spilled the rebound, smashing home Sutherland’s third to seal the win.

The result was made even more significant given the context, with Sutherland chasing a crucial victory in their push for finals football and ending a decade-long drought against APIA.

APIA Leichhardt were forced to make five changes following their midweek Waratah Cup Final defeat, with Franco Farinella leading the line in a reshuffled side.

The early stages were evenly contested, with APIA briefly believing they had opened the scoring from a corner in the 7th minute, only for the effort to be ruled out for a handball in the build-up.

Both sides created chances in a lively first half, with Ortiz and Jack Stewart combining for a dangerous break that went begging, while Bonilla fired wide from a promising position at the other end.

Takumi Ofuka also went close for Sutherland after intercepting possession, but was denied one-on-one by Kalac in a key first-half moment.

The breakthrough eventually came on the stroke of half-time, with Nicolaou finishing a flowing move created by Tariq Maia to give Sutherland a 1-0 lead.

APIA made changes at the break and responded quickly, with Ortiz finishing clinically in the 51st minute after a well-weighted cross from Rory Jordan.

Momentum swung again when Bonilla struck his superb second goal of the season, curling home from distance after Sutherland recycled possession from a corner.

The game remained open, with both sides creating chances in transition, but Sutherland struck what proved to be the winner late through van Amerongen.

APIA continued to push until the final whistle, with substitute Levi Sciuriaga going close in stoppage time, but Sutherland held firm to secure a landmark victory.

The result marked three wins in a row for the Sharks and a major step forward in their push toward finals football while it was a a second successive NPL Men’s NSW league loss along with the midweek Waratah Cup Final defeat for APIA who have have hit a lull coming towards the business end of the season.

Match Stats

Sutherland Sharks 3 (Yianni Nicolaou 45’, Diego Bonilla 60’, Thijs Van Amerongen 80’)

APIA Leichhardt 2 (Presley Ortiz 51’, 77)

Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda Saturday,  4th July 2026

Referee: Nathan Shakespear

Assistants: Thomas Gellatly & Hayden Kaye

Fourth Official: Michael Patti

Sutherland Sharks: 1. Danijel Nizic, 3. Yianni Nicolaou (14. Matthew Jurman 79’), 4. Thijs Van Amerongen, 5. Jordan Perez, 6. Ryley Holling dale (22. Tye McGowan 7’), 7. Takumi Ofuda (17. Richard Shoueiki 75’), 8. Brendan Gan, 10. Tariq Maia, 15. Jamie Percevski, 19. Diego Bonilla (11. Danny Choi 87’), 21. Nicholas Olsen

Subs Not Used: 12. James Husoy, 18. Gian Forese, 40. Lukas Webber

Yellow Cards: Jamie Percevski 85’, Richard Shoueiki 90+5’

Red Cards: Nil

APIA Leichhardt: 1. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kobayashi, 4. Eiji Kishimoto, 6. Frans Deli (22. Edward Caspers 46’), 7. Jack Stewart, 9.Presley Ortiz, 11. Rory Jordan (23. Levi Cariaga 87’), 19. Fabian Monge (8. Michael Konestabo 61’), 24. Cameron Fong (17. Jordan Segreto 46’), 25. Kyle Shaw, 99. Franco Farinella (14. Max Court 71’)

Subs Not Used: 20. Alexander Parkes, 44. Alessandro Piccin

Yellow Cards: Frans Deli 37’, Oliver Kalac 81’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Yianni Nicolaou (SS)

2 – Presley Ortiz (AL)

1 – Diego Bonilla (SS)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock