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NWS Spirit FC snap up Kiwi sharpshooter

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National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s club NWS Spirit FC have snapped up former New Zealand Men’s National League Golden Boot winner Gianni Bouzoukis for the 2024 season.

The 25-year-old collected his second successive Golden Boot award following yet another outstanding season with New Zealand National Champions Wellington Olympic.

His performances caught the attention of NWS Spirit FC coach David Perkovic who moved quickly to snap up the ace marksman as the club prepares for a huge year ahead.

“We are glad that Gianni Bouzoukis has joined from Wellington Olympic,” Perkovic told Football NSW.

“His exceptional goal-scoring ability and experience will undoubtedly strengthen our attack and elevate our performance on the field.”

The club also resigned several of its 2023 players including Chris Marques, Anthony Younis, Grant Cornwell, Kyle Shaw, Simon Nicholas, Daniel Mitwali, Corey Kavanagh, Richie Darko, Michale Konestabo, Ollie Wiggin, Jared Lum and Luiz Lobo.

“We are thrilled to have resigned key existing players from our squad last season and secured a number of new players to help improve our squad in 2024.”

Bouzoukis was a cult hero with the Wellington Olympic faithful as he scored an amazing 104 goals in 130 first-team appearances for the New Zealand National Champions.

Zeljko Kalac appointed Sydney United 58 Head Coach

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National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s side Sydney United 58 have appointed former Socceroo Zeljko ‘Spider’ Kalac as its head coach for the 2024 season.

The 50-year-old returns to his former stomping ground, a place he called home as a junior and senior as well as having managed the ex-NSL giants in 2020.

“It’s truly special to return to Sydney United 58, a club deeply ingrained in my life,” Kalac stated.

“While our sights are set on clinching the Championship, our focus extends beyond the present.

“We’re dedicated to cultivating talent and building a strong foundation for the future.”

Kalac recently spent time managing the Bulls FC Academy during the 2023 NPL NSW Men’s campaign.

“It’s an important season as the club, as well as football in Australia, continues to evolve.

“We need to ensure our incoming playing group is committed to the standards this great club has,” the club promoted in its official press release.

Kalac replaces Miro Vlastelica who has been invaluable for the club but will still feature as part of the coaching staff in 2024.

“It’s important to keep good people and coaches around the club as we continue to progress – we’re looking forward to what the new season holds,” the club issued in its press release.

The 2023 Waratah Cup Champions have commenced it’s rebuild as the club said farewell to long serving stalwarts Matthew Bilic, Yianni Fragogiannis, Chris Payne, Devante Clut and Yianni Perkatis while Andrea Agamemnonos, Taisei Kaneko, Ante Bakmaz, Jason Madonis and Hiyori Kawaguchi will feature in new teams in 2024.

The club has resigned Leroy Jennings, Alessandro Lacalandra, Glen Trifio, Patrick Antelmi, Adrian Vlastelica, Bailey Rule, Anthony Tomelic, Luke Cukar and Tariq Maia for the new year.

Monge credits NPL for Victory move

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After returning from a tough overseas stint playing in the Greek Second Division, 22-year-old Fabian Monge took the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition by storm as he played a starring role in APIA Leichhardt FC’s 2023 Premiership win – so much so, he earned himself an A-League deal with Melbourne Victory.

The exciting midfielder proved to be a valuable signing for coach Franco Parisi as the former Australian Under 17, 20 and 23 representative played a pivotal role in APIA’s successful Premiership run.

Monge paid huge praise to the NPL NSW Men’s competition as the stepping stone to him earning a contract with Tony Popovic’s Melbourne Victory side for the 2023-24 A-League Men’s season.

“The NPL NSW Men’s competition was vital for me,” Monge stated to Football NSW.

“It gave me the opportunity to play first grade at a young age and when I came back home,
it gave me the opportunity to play regular minutes again and provided a pathway for me back into the A-League.”

It was an unforgettable season for Monge who paid tribute to his teammates at APIA following their Premiership success.

“It was a great season, obviously when you’re winning and playing well, football is always more enjoyable so to be able to do that this year with a top bunch of boys was an amazing feeling.”

Prior to signing with APIA in the NPL, Monge played for the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney Olympic where it was there, the talented star gained more experience playing in the state’s top tier men’s competition.

Fast forward a few years and Monge is now playing for a spot in Popovic’s Victory squad, a move that came through following APIA’s round 29 clash against NWS Spirit FC.

“We had just finished a game against NWS Spirit FC and Franco (Parisi) pulled me aside and told me I was off to Melbourne to train with the Victory.

“I came down and was luckily enough to get offered a contract.”

In a club statement, Melbourne Victory’s Director of Football John Didulica was thrilled to have snapped up Monge.

“Prior to his recent success with APIA Leichhardt, Monge was a stand-out young talent in the Y-League and we are confident we are getting a player with quality and pedigree and one who can contribute to the team.”

Nicolaou praises NPL NSW Men’s pathway

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APIA Leichhardt FC’s Premiership winning star Yianni Nicolaou has credited the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition as one of the reasons why the versatile footballer picked up an A-League deal with Macarthur FC for the upcoming season.

The 23-year-old played a starring role in Franco Parisi’s Premiership winning APIA squad, so much so, his performances alerted Macarthur FC Head Coach Mile Sterjovski who snapped up the South West Sydney defender.

“The NPL NSW Men’s competition was so important for me as a footballer, Nicoalou stated to Football NSW.

“The league offers a highly competitive platform where players can test and hone their skills against quality players.

“Playing in this league has also provided me with exposure to coaches and professional clubs and I was lucky enough to sign an A-League contract through this league.

“With regards to winning the Premiership, we all knew that the first 30-week season in the NPL wasn’t going to be easy.

“I was absolutely delighted with our Premiership win.

“It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. I will remember this for the rest of my life and can confidently say there is no better feeling than achieving such an honour.”

Having been part of the Bulls youth setup, Nicolaou, prior to the 2022 and 2023 season where he donned the APIA jersey also played for the Marconi Stallions in NSW’s top tier league in 2018 and 2019.

His move to Macarthur came unexpectedly as the young gun was looking forward to a well-earned holiday in Japan that was until Sterjovski gave him a call following a massive year with APIA.

“Playing in the NPL NSW Men’s league provides great exposure for players such as myself. I was fortunate enough to be looked at by a few A-League clubs throughout the year.

“As soon as the season ended with APIA, I was fortunate enough to receive a call asking to join Macarthur FC. I am super grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to seeing where this takes me.”

Nicolaou made an impressive debut with the Bulls following a great display in the club’s opening AFC Cup Round 1 victory over Shan United.

Round 30 Review – NPL NSW Men’s

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Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 30 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.

Sydney Olympic 3 v Sydney United 58 3 at Belmore Sports Ground – Full Match Report and Highlights

Sydney Olympic secured a point with a dramatic comeback to end their and Sydney United’s disappointing 2023 campaigns with an exhilarating 3-3 draw at Belmore Sports Ground.

Sydney United opened the scoring with Chris Payne penalty, before the lively Oliver Puflett equalised with a fantastic solo effort and finish.

But United went ahead off a stunning strike from Payne just before halftime and increased their lead with a ruthless finish from Kaneko in the 64th minute.

However, Sydney Olympic scored a minute later through an exceptional Michael Vakis volley and secured a point with a dramatic equaliser four minutes into extra time in a fantastic footballing match to conclude the campaign.

Sydney FC 3 v Sutherland Sharks 2 at Valentine Sports Park 2 – Full Match Report and Highlights

Sydney FC has ended their National Premier League NSW Men’s season on a high, clinging on to sixth position on the ladder, defeating the under-performing Sutherland Sharks 3-2 at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Sky Blues had Joseph Lacey, Lachlan Middleton and Oscar Fryer to thank for three successive goals before Sharks substitute Jordan Roberts and Japanese import Takahide Umebachi made the score-line a little more respectable with late strikes.

Rockdale Ilinden 1 v Blacktown City 2 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights

Blacktown City finished of the 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s in style thanks to a hard fought 2-1 victory over Premiership runners-up Rockdale Ilinden at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The hosts took the lead through youngster Ben Wass before Caleb Jackson-Brown equalised and it was City substitute Carlos De Oliveira who netted the winner for Mark Crittenden’s troops.

APIA Leichhardt FC 2 v St George City 1 at Lambert Park – Full Match Report and Highlights

APIA Leichhardt were crowned 2023 Premiers of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with a 2-1 win over St George City in front of a healthy crowd at their spiritual home, Lambert Park on Sunday.

It was actually APIA Leichhardt back in 1987, under the guidance of the legendary Rale Rasic, that were crowned Premiers in the old National Soccer League’s only ever first-past-the-post title.

Thirty-six years later, the modern APIA Leichhardt, under the guidance of rookie coach Franco Parisi, have equalled the feat of the legendary 1987 team and it occurred too at the same venue – Lambert Park in Leichhardt where the sign still proudly reads The Home of Football in Australia and in front of a bumper crowd for the occasion.

St George stunned the hosts with a well taken goal via Franco Maya in the 22nd minute before Josh Symons restored parity four minutes later.

The match turned on its head for the visitors as Dominic Cox was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the 31st which left open the door for Sean Symons to pounce late in the first half with a neat finish to secure the title for the proud Inner West club.

Marconi 5 v Central Coast Mariners 4 at Marconi Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights

It was an entertaining end to the season at Marconi Stadium as the Marconi Stallions secured a 5-4 victory over the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon.

The nine goals gave fans plenty to be excited about on the day as the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2023 season came to a close after 30 rounds.

An early goal from Martin Fernandez set the scene at Marconi Stadium, but an equaliser from Aydan Hammond moments later brought the hosts back to reality.

The Stallions kicked into gear, with goals to Jordan Swibel, Fernandez again, and an own goal from Andre Parkes, which saw the hosts with a 4-1 lead at the half-time break.

The Mariners managed to get three in the second half through George Daniel, Maksim Kasalovic and Hammond again, with Marconi’s Justin Vidic getting one more for the hosts in the second stanza.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 v Wollongong Wolves 5 at Popondetta Park – Full Match Report and Highlights

Wollongong Wolves put a young Mount Druitt Town Rangers to the sword, getting up 5-0 at Albert Butler Memorial Park in the final round of NPL NSW Men’s football played at Albert Butler Memorial Park on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Christopher McStay notched a brace while Takumi Ofuka, Sebastian Hernandez and Banri Kanaizumi all got in on the act in what was a great day for the South Coast club.

Bulls FC Academy 0 v Manly United 2 at Sydney United Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights

Manly United veteran Matt Sim ended his career on a high, scoring a screamer as his side walked away from Sydney United Sports Centre with a 2-0 win over Bulls FC Academy on Sunday afternoon.

The first half remained scoreless but things changed in the second when substitute Marcus Lal and club legend Matt Sim scored a screamer to secure the points for Manly United.

Western Sydney Wanderers 3 v NWS Spirit FC 3 at Wanderers Football Park – Full Match Report and Highlights

Western Sydney Wanderers and NWS Spirit FC played out an entertaining and thrilling 3-3 draw in round 30 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday afternoon.

Wanderers looked set for the three points after Alexander Badolato and Thomas Lopez put them into a 2-0 lead at the break. Lopez added a third in the 56th minute before they were pegged back and forced to share the points.

NWS Spirit FC signed off their 2023 season with another comeback to snatch a point. Marcus Younis got the comeback started in the 55th minute before substitute Paul Katsetis made it 3-2 soon after. Anthony Younis completed the turnaround with his header in the 74th minute.