APIA Bounce Back with Hard-Fought Win Over Sydney FC

APIA Leichhardt FC returned to the winner’s circle with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night, ending a three-match losing streak and keeping the pressure firmly on Premiership leaders Marconi Stallions.

While it wasn’t APIA’s most fluent display of the season, the title contenders showed their experience when it mattered most. First-half strikes from Jack Stewart and substitute Michael Konestabo proved enough to withstand a late rally from Sydney FC debutant Joshua Brazete, whose goal set up a tense finish.

The result sees APIA move to within a point of the league leaders, who were still to play, while Sydney FC were left to rue another spirited performance that yielded no reward.

Sydney FC made the brighter start, controlling possession with their trademark high-tempo football but struggling to create meaningful chances in the final third.

APIA almost capitalised early when Rory Jordan burst down the left before cutting inside, only for the ball to become tangled under his feet at the crucial moment.

The home side remained patient in possession while looking to exploit space behind Sydney’s youthful defence. Franco Farinella tried his luck from distance before Max Court came within inches of opening the scoring, his volley from a Frans Deli corner brilliantly tipped around the post by goalkeeper Alex Zaverdinos.

Sydney responded with a dangerous free-kick after Frans Deli was cautioned just outside the area, but Taye Hedley’s effort struck the wall before Marin France later tested Oliver Kalac with a powerful long-range strike.

After a tightly contested opening half, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 37th minute.

Having switched to the left wing, Jack Stewart timed his run perfectly before finishing emphatically after a well-worked move to hand APIA a deserved lead.

Sydney almost hit back immediately when Mitchell Glasson forced Kalac into a smart save, but APIA carried their narrow advantage into the break.

The visitors emerged after half-time with renewed intent, enjoying sustained spells of possession as they searched for an equaliser.

Glasson continued to cause problems, while Samuel Lancaster glanced a header over the crossbar as the Sky Blues steadily built momentum.

Recognising the shift in the contest, APIA head coach Franco Parisi turned to his bench, introducing all five substitutes before the hour mark in an effort to regain control.

The changes proved decisive.

In the 67th minute, substitute Michael Konestabo capitalised on a defensive lapse to steal possession from Zaverdinos before calmly finishing into the net. Sydney FC players protested furiously, believing the goalkeeper had control of the ball, but the referee waved away their appeals and awarded the goal.

Konestabo nearly added a second moments later, only for Zaverdinos to redeem himself with an outstanding save that pushed the striker’s effort onto the post.

To their credit, Sydney FC refused to surrender.

Seventeen-year-old substitute Joshua Brazete marked his senior debut in style, pulling a goal back late in the contest to inject fresh life into the closing stages and set up a frantic finale.

However, APIA’s experienced campaigners expertly managed the remaining minutes, frustrating the youthful visitors and closing out a valuable victory.

It may not have been their most polished performance, but APIA demonstrated the composure and resilience that define genuine Premiership contenders especiall in its back-line led by Themba Muata-Marlow and Eijin Kishimoto.

With their losing streak snapped and momentum restored, the Leichhardt club now turns its attention to the next phase of an increasingly enthralling title race, sitting just one point behind leaders Marconi Stallions.

They also have a huge Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 match against current NPL Queensland league leaders Peninsula Power at Leichhardt Oval next Tuesday night.

Match Stats

APIA Leichhardt 2 (Jack Stewart 37’, Michael Konestabo 77’)

Sydney FC 1 (Joshua Brazete 85’)

Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield Saturday,  11th July 2026

Referee: Sophie Allum

Assistants: Liam Smith & Sebastian Ruskin

Fourth Official: Kai Jopson

APIA Leichhardt: 1. Oliver Kalac, 4. Eijin Kishimoto, 6. Frans Deli (8. Michael Konestabo 58’), 7. Jack Stewart (2. Seiya Kambayashi 46’), 9. Presley Ortiz (22. Edward Caspers 57’), 11. Rory Jordan, 14. Max Court, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 21. Michael Kouta (16. Sean Symons 46’), 25. Kyle Shaw, 99. Franco Farinella (19. Fabian Monge 57’)

Subs Not Used: 17. Jordan Segreto, 20. Alexander Parkes

Yellow Cards: Franco Farinella 16’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 30. Alexander Zaverdinos, 4. Caelan Marshall-Witte, 8.Samuel Lancaster, 9. Zac Fowler (11. Junior Conde 68’), 10. Taye Hadley, 14. Jared Middleton, 15. Zinadein Ardiansyah, 19. Mitchell Glasson (47. Corey Cronin 68’), 27. Lachlan Middleton, 33. Marin France, 34. Tyler Wiliams

Subs not used: 5. William Pezzutti, 12. Jared Williams, 23. Orson Conroy, 38. Joshua Brazete

Yellow Cards: Zac Fowler 42’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Eijin Kishimoto (AL)

2 – Taye Hadley (SS)

1 – Themba Muata-Marlow (AL)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock