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VALE – Emanuele Ziino

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Football NSW was saddened to hear the news of the unfortunate passing of one of the state’s most adored club administrators, APIA Leichhardt Tigers own superstar, Emanuele Ziino.

For Mannie, APIA Leichhardt Tigers was more than just a team, it was his life.

Ziino started supporting the club as a five-year-old, travelling to Lambert Park as a youngster with his family.

The following 47 years, the staunch APIA supporter was also a fan, player and official, such was his dedication to his adored club.

Football NSW had conducted an interview with Mannie two years ago and it was clear to see how much he loved his club.

“My first involvement with the club was as a supporter and I just haven’t looked back,” he said.

“Even till today I am the team manager for first grade, I help with the juniors and I also look after the tour to Italy every year being the Viareggio Tournament.

“I can remember as a kid going to games at Lambert Park which was a full house, a heap of Socceroos played on the ground in the 70’s and 80’s.

“One game I remember clearly was when we played against Olympic and we were down 1-0 with 15 minutes to go. We turned it around to win 2-1 and the 8,000 capacity crowd went absolutely nuts.

“I still think Lambert Park full has just as good if not better atmosphere than any ground in NSW.”

The 53-year-old spent seven days per week at the club and also played for the Tigers over-35s and 45s team in the Canterbury District Soccer Football Association as a goalkeeper.

Mannie was well and truly an Institute for not just the APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC club but for football in general.

His presence, charisma and personality will be sorely missed around the football grounds in NSW.

Football NSW would like to pass on its deepest condolences to the Ziino family.

May he rest in heavenly peace.

Sydney Olympic ready for Perth SC test

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Lambert Park is set to host a cracking NPL Finals Series fixture this Sunday as duel Premiership and Championship winners Sydney Olympic entertain the best from the West, Perth SC in what promises to be a mouth-watering Elimination Final match-up.

Abbas Saad’s men are still reeling from a season of highs having taken out the prestigious double and will be using their recent 3-1 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final victory against APIA Leichhardt Tigers as inspiration when they tackle Ramon Falzon’s men.

Their opponents will by no means be a push over as Perth SC, nicknamed the ‘Azzurri’, will also be full of confidence as they too took out the double in Western Australia.

Perth SC stole the Premiership off Perth Glory by one solitary point while they convincingly defeated the same outfit in the McInerney Ford Top Four Cup four goals to one thanks to a stunning hat-trick by Paul Zimarino.

Celebrating their 70th year anniversary, Zimarino is hoping that his boys can give the NPL Finals Series a fair shake-up starting with Olympic.

“It really will be a great match-up when you think about it, Western Australia’s best versus NSW’s best.

“We all know how strong the NPL NSW Men’s competition is and what a great club Sydney Olympic is and has been so all the players are really looking forward to this challenge.”

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder stated that his chargers will keep a close eye on Blues’ Spanish star Alejandro Sanchez and lynch-pin midfielder Max Burgess as key targets.

“We have watched a few video highlights and have identified both Alejandro and Max as threats, but we also know that they have proven big game players all across the park, so we will need to be at our very best come Sunday.”

One player the Blues need to focus on will be a red-hot Brazilian in ace striker Gustavo Catarcione.

“Gustavo brings so much to the team and I believe he is and has been one of the best players ever to play in the NPL for the last several seasons.

“He has also been amongst the goals in W.A., has won himself a number of Golden Boot awards and he always gives our team that extra edge.”

One player the Azzurri will miss however, will be former Socceroos defender Adrian Madaschi who will not be traveling to Sydney.

“Adrian will be a big loss for us as he is a good leader on the pitch.

“Although he hasn’t had much game time this year, each time he has stepped onto the pitch, he has always offered us that extra strength in defence.”

Perth SC do boost a pretty young squad with the team averaging the age of 25, something that could well prove a good sign for the visitors.

One aspect the travelling squad will need to come to terms with though, is the match being played on artificial surface at Lambert Park.

Although Perth SC’s spiritual home ground Dorrien Gardens is a grass pitch, the club does boast artificial training pitches which has assisted in the team’s lead-up to this match against the Blues.

“All pitches in the Western Australian NPL are grass pitches so we lose out on that.

“In saying that though, we do train twice a week on our artificial training surface that we have on site along with training on our normal ground so we will be ready for this.”

Olympic will have other ideas and will be fully focused on the tough job at hand with club stalwart Will Angel ready for the big test.

Angel has been with the Blues for an amazing 15 years now, and at the age of 29, cannot wait for the big match on Sunday.

“The boys are buzzing, its business as usual at training with everybody focused on the next game at hand in the NPL Finals Series.

“The squad is very motivated to win the treble for the club which would cap off a tremendous season.

“We know how important the NPL Finals Series is and we want to make a good account for ourselves and our fans.

“We understand Perth SC have had a very successful season and have quality players across the park but we are confident we can do the job at Lambert Park in front of our amazing home fans.”

Angel will no doubt bring his experience and his energy along with his love for the club to will the Sydney Olympic boys to a hopeful win and a chance to play either Canberra FC or Campbelltown City in the NPL Finals Series Semi Finals to be played on the 22nd/23rd of September with the big final set for September 29th or 30th.

Match Details

NPL Finals Series 2018 Elimination Final

Sunday 16th September

Lambert Park

Sydney Olympic v Perth SC

*Tickets to be sold at the gates

*Match to be livestreamed on www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au

Click here to view the official Match Day Program

 

Edensor Park ready for battle this Saturday

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Sydney United Sports Centre will be the setting this coming Saturday (1st of September) as either Sydney United 58 or APIA Leichhardt Tigers will fight out for the final spot in the 2018 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Grand Final to be played on Sunday 9th of September at Leichhardt Oval to face Premiers Sydney Olympic.

It will be the first day of Spring which will see a titanic battle take shape in Sydney’s West and at one of Australian football’s most iconic spots where a number of former National Soccer League legends and Socceroos graced Sydney United Sports Centre with two iconic teams going at it for that final spot.

Whatever the result will be, the 2018 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final will be one not to be missed as it will be Sydney Olympic, a club steeped in history taking on either Sydney United 58 or APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

It will be a feast of football on Saturday as two big matches will take place prior to the big one at 7:30pm as Rockdale City Suns face Blacktown City at 2:30pm in the Grade 18’s while at 5pm Sutherland Sharks battle Blacktown City – the winners of both ties will face Sydney FC in both grades in the 2018 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final.

NPL NSW Men’s Preliminary Finals Fixtures
Saturday 1st September
Sydney United Sports Centre
U18
Rockdale City Suns FC v Blacktown City FC 2:30pm
U20
Blacktown City FC v Sutherland Sharks FC 5:00pm
1st Grade
Sydney United 58 FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 7:30pm

 

NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final venue announced

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Leichhardt Oval will once again host the 2018 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s top tier Grand Final on Sunday 9th of September.

Following its impressive hosting of last season’s Grand Final that saw the Manly United defeat APIA Leichhardt Tigers 4-3 on penalties after the match ended scoreless in a heart stomping finale that saw a healthy crowd flock the spiritual and iconic suburban ground in Sydney’s Inner West.

Steeped in history, Leichhardt Oval has hosted Sydney Olympic and APIA Leichhardt Tigers in the former National Soccer League.

It’s this sort of heritage that drew Football NSW to the boutique venue once more which has hosted a number of key football matches in the past that included the FFA Cup amongst many other notable fixtures.

Football NSW’s Head of Competitions Troy McColl was delighted upon announcing the news of Leichhardt Oval being named as the host venue for 2018.

“We saw during the 2017 Grand Final how great the facilities were and the venue has continually assisted us in preparing for our big NPL event for the last few years.

“It’s going to be a great day at Leichhardt Oval which will see Football NSW host its showpiece event in the top tier Men’s competition.

“It’s a neutral venue in a central location as well as being held within the Leichhardt community, an area that traditionally love their football, which I am confident will come out and give this Final some support.

“Good luck to all teams vying for those spots on what will be a huge day for Football NSW at Leichhardt Oval.”

Whilst the teams are yet to be decided, preparations are well underway to ensure the showcase event on the NPL NSW Men’s calendar is not to be missed.

Murray bags Man of the Match honours at Waratah Cup

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It was no surprise to see APIA Leichhardt Tigers’ man of the moment Jordan Murray hit the headlines yet again in season 2018 after a fantastic performance in the 2018 TAFE NSW Waratah Cup Final.

The ace marksman was in devastating form as the Tigers’ lethal striker bagged a brace and could have easily had a couple more if it weren’t for the goalkeeping expertise of Hakoah Sydney City Easts’ Anthony Bouzanis.

Taking out the Cup itself was an achievement Murray was most happy about along with clinching the Man of the Match plaudits which was a huge bonus.

“Winning the TAFE NSW Waratah Cup meant everything today for the club and us players.

“We knew it was going to be a battle against a strong Hakoah side that is known for doing very well in Cup games.

“We knew if we worked hard at training it would rub off in the game and it did.

“We also knew the disappointment last year’s Cup loss had on us and that revenge was in our minds today.

“Winning man of the match honours was a really great feeling. I’m very grateful to have received the award but I can’t go past my teammates.

“They are an awesome bunch of blokes and players and it makes my job of scoring so much easier with them.

“It’s a amazing feeling to have received this award but it’s an award that is shared by the entire team.”

The 22-year-old has been in scintillating form with a near perfect 19 competition goals in 18 NPL NSW Men’s matches, an amazing feat for any striker across the world.

The question on everyone’s lips is not if but when will Murray be given a chance to shine in the Hyundai A-League?

With a number of highly talented players running around state league competitions across the country, Murray certainly has made a name for himself and has thrown his hat in the ring for an opportunity at the big time.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers funnily enough have had a knack of producing strikers for the Hyundai A-League in recent years and if successful, Murray will be following in the footsteps of former Lambert Park’s favourite son Blake Powell who scored himself a professional contract with the Wellington Phoenix in the 2015-2016 after taking out the NPL NSW Men’s Golden Boot award with 21 goals – a stat Murray could well beat in season 2018 with four matches remaining.

The modest smiling assassin from Woonona down the South Coast has high dreams of playing in Australia’s top tier competition but understands that after taking out the TAFE NSW Waratah Cup, the next piece of silverware the club would like to get its hands on is both the Premiership and Championship as well as putting in a good run in the FFA Cup.

He has set himself targets like any good footballer should and at the rate he is traveling, there is no doubt that these goals will certainly be ticked off the list of awards to achieve for 2018.

“My objective is to stay focused and contribute to my team in anyway I can.

“Individually, I want to break the record of top goal scorer.

“I set myself targets and I try to complete them to the best of my ability.

“I also want to keep consistent as one of my targets is to play professionally.

“As a team, we need to knuckle down and focus on the tough games ahead.

“There is so much to play for, finishing first in the league a good run in the FFA Cup as well as the Championship.

“Having the taste of winning the Waratah Cup, I’m sure it’s going to spur us on to lift more trophies.”