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Maestro Parisi challenged by COVID-19 heartbreak

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APIA Leichhardt FC’s legendary star Franco Parisi has conquered and accomplished many things in his footballing life – He has won individual honours, Player of the Year awards, played in the A-League, played overseas, represented his country, but one thing the 37-year-old has never faced like everyone of us has been a delay to our beautiful game due to a pandemic crisis happening around the world namely COVID-19.

“You can say that again,” stated Parisi to Football NSW.

“Football is a huge passion of mine, so no football is a challenge both personally and professionally as it serves as an important part of my work-life balance I have been able to achieve for most of my life.

“Diet and sleep become even more important during such critical times.

“The focus at the moment has been going for a morning run/walk along with a strict diet and sleep with the suspension of football until the 31st of May.”

The wise head of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition has been fortunate that ever since football went into lockdown mode, the APIA maestro has been able to continue on with his work as he continues to run his family’s successful business as the Chief Operations Officer of one of this nation’s major suppliers of luxurious bathroom furniture, bath and doorware – fittingly named after his surname, PARISI.

“I have been blessed that even though football has stopped for now, I have been able to continue to work for my family run business.

“It has been ridiculously busy and has kept me ticking along thankfully.”

Parisi has managed to keep himself fit, albeit with various methods in ensuring he stays in shape for when the competition hopefully kicks off later in the year, but has also kept himself sane via working as well as winding down the ‘Franco way’ in these tough times.

“Correct, I have been maintaining my fitness through a number of activities I have undertaken personally via self-isolation.

“I have also focused on critical work-related activities and have had the opportunity to drink wine as part of unwinding,” ala like one of the Italian football greats Andrea Pirlo, whose love for wine has been well documented over the years.

The current NPL NSW Men’s Champions have formed a strong family unit at the club under the watchful eye of John Calleja for the last few seasons but stated to Football NSW that it’s the team camaraderie, the buzz on match day and that winning feeling he misses most about our amazing sport.

The cool head of Parisi was simple but poetic with his words of advice for the NPL NSW Football Family currently coming to terms with doing their bit in controlling this awful virus that has broken many hearts and minds.

“Show kindness and understanding to others.

“When “I” Is Replaced By “We” – Even Illness Becomes Wellness”.

Points shared as Rockdale and APIA battle for draw

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Rockdale Ilinden FC have ended a horror run of six straight defeats against APIA Leichhardt after holding on for a 1-1 draw at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

An Alec Urosevski goal late in the first half looked like it was enough to give Rockdale their first win against APIA since 2013.

However, Adrian Ucchino had other idea’s curling a brilliant free-kick into the back of the net in the 39th minute to ensure the two teams shared the spoils.

The result means both sides are still yet to lose after their opening three games for the season.

Rockdale were quickly out of the blocks when Tomoki Awada found Sam Gulisano open in the box but he fired wide.

Sean Symons replied soon after but his effort was straight at the keeper.

Franco Parisi got in on the action when he found Chris Payne inside the area but the striker, unable to get the ball under control, blasted over the woodwork.

Amaury Gauthier was denied by a brilliant reaction save by APIA shot stopper Ivan Necevski in the 14th minute after latching onto a long ball over the top.

Urosevski opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when he slipped the ball past Necevski to complete a rapid counter-attacking move.

APIA responded quickly through Adrian Ucchino.

The midfielder hit the back of the net with a sensational curling free-kick  from what appeared an impossible angle.

Rockdale custodian David Bradasevic saved his side from going into the break down on the scoreboard when he dived to deny Payne.

APIA kicked-off the second period with more determination and soon had Rockdale on the back foot in the early minutes with a last ditch block by Brayden Sorge denying a Sean Symons effort.

Gauthier and Jordan Figon both had chances denied with APIA’s defence struggling against Rockdale’s rapid counter attacks.

The game began to open up midway through the second half with the ball going end-to-end without truly threatening the goals.

Parisi hit the woodwork in the 65th minute after being played in by Payne, before the pair connected again moments later as Payne fired wide.

A goal seemed inevitable in a thrilling closing 20 minutes but neither side could find a breakthrough.

APIA coach John Calleja felt a draw was a fair result in what he called a tightly contested contest.

“Both sides played really well, Rockdale came out with a game plan and we took a little time to adjust to it,” he said.

“Once we adjusted I felt we controlled the game well, although we were a little slow in our possession and movement at times.

“Unfortunately we weren’t good enough to take them and a draw is a fair result at the end of a tough 90 minutes.”

Rockdale coach Steven Zoric said his side’s ability to execute the game plan helped nullify APIA’s strenghts.

“We set-up to play in between the lines,” stated Zoric after

“It allowed more space for our midfield players to surge into when they picked the ball up and go at APIA.

“That was evident in our goal when we picked the ball up deep and set up Alec (Urosevski) in between to two centre-backs for him to run onto.

“We knew we would get joy playing this way against them and if we can get our midfield onto the ball they can start knocking it around a bit  giving our defence a little bit of respite too.

We had our chances in the game, as did they, and our finishing wasn’t perhaps as good as we’d like but we remain unbeaten this season.”

Match Stats

Rockdale Ilinden 1 (Urosevski 32’)

APIA Leichhardt  1 (Ucchino 39’)

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Sunday, 15th March 2020

Referee: Adrian Arndt

Asst. Refs: Andre Gieve & Matt Staples

4th Official: Manuel Limnios

Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1.David BRADASEVIC, 2.Daniel PETKOVSKI, 3.Mick NEILL, 6.Banri KANIZUMI, 7.Alec UROSEVSKI, 8.Tomoki WADA, 11.Amaury GAUTHIER (10.Nikola TANESKI 75’), 14.Brayden SORGE, 18.Sam GULISANO, 19.Patrick SAVOR (15.Mohamed AHMED 34’), 23.Jordan FIGON (4.Mitchell STAMATELLIS 82’)

Substitutes not used: 5.Jake TRAJKOVSKI, 39.Andrew DI BLASIO

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

APIA Leichhardt: 1.Ivan NACEVSKI, 3.Paul GALIMI, 4.Josh SYMONS, 6.Chris PAYNE, 7.Dom NASRABADI (8.Corey BICZO 46’), 10.Franco PARISI (9.Jeremy COX 77’), 13.David D’APUZZO, 15.Themba MUATA-MARLOW, 16.Sean SYMONS, 18.Adrian UCCHINO, 21.Michael KOUTA

Substitutes not used: 2.Camil ABOUCHAAYA, 14.Nick STAVROULAKIS, 22.Luke TURNBULL

Yellow Cards: Payne 58’, J.Symons 62’, Ucchino 85’, D’Apuzzo 87’

Red Cards: Nil

Man of the Match

3 –  Galimi (AL)

2 –  Wada (RI)

1 – Urosevski (RI)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Micky Brock          

Olympic hearts crushed by Payne winner

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A late Chris Payne strike has helped APIA Leichhardt claim their first win of the season edging Sydney Olympic 2-1 at Lambert Park on Sunday.

It was a game of two halves but Payne’s finish only three minutes from full-time proved the difference between the two rivals from Sydney’s inner-west.

APIA dominated what was a physical first half of football, taking the lead in the 17th minute through a David D’Apuzzo header.

Olympic hit the pitched refreshed after the break and took control of the second stanza, with Bai Antoniou netting the equalizer in the 60th minute.

The match looked likely to finish in a draw, but as the game came to a close Payne pulled off an 87th minute thriller that saw the home side take all three points.

The home side utilized the pace of their front three well in the first half, mounting the pressure of a high front-line on their opponents.

After knocking on the door in the opening stages of the match, the first goal came through a corner in the 17th minute in what appeared to be a textbook play by the hosts.

The corner kick landed at the head of in-form defender Josh Symons, who knocked it on to D’Apuzzo who headed it home.

The home side continued to threaten the visitors throughout the remainder of the first half, however they entered the half-time break with a one goal lead.

Olympic hit the pitched with vigor in the second half, coming close to an equalizer on several occasions before it finally eventuated through Antoniou in the 60th minute in what was a well taken goal.

Adam Parkhouse cut in a perfectly placed ball to Antoniou, who fired his shot straight into the netting from close range.

The hosts were able to take the lead in the 87th minute as Sean Symons sent a high cross in front of the goal and an unmarked Payne finished the job, pushing the ball over the line with his chest.

Olympic came close to a second equalizer in the final minutes of the match, but veteran keeper Ivan Necevski proved his worth for APIA making a crucial save to keep the lead and finish the game 2-1.

APIA coach John Calleja was proud of his side for staying in the game to score a late winner.

“It was a physical game, it was a strong game, it was a good game,” he said.

“There were two good teams battling against each other.

“I thought we were very good in the first half and we sort of fell away a bit in the second half and Olympic controlled a lot of the game and probably deservedly got an equalizer.

“Our boys just hang in there and they keep fighting and they keep battling and they got rewarded with a late goal and you could say we deserved it.

Olympic coach Terry Palapanis was disappointed his team didn’t come away with the result.

“We started slow, in the first 20 minutes we weren’t great but after that I thought we totally dominated the match,” he explained.

“You played against the Champions and you totally outplayed them so it’s something that we can go into the next match with a bit of optimism.”

Match Stats

APIA Leichardt Tigers 2 (David D’Apuzzo 17’, Chris Payne 87’)

Sydney Olympic FC 1 (Bai Antoniou 60’)

Sunday 8th March 2020

Belmore Sportsground

Referee: K. Patterson

Assistant Referees: M. Riedy, M. Staples

Fourth Official: C. Fisher

Sydney Olympic FC: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 2. Thomas Whiteside, 6. Nicola Kuleski, 7. William Angel, 8. Jason Madonis, 9. Bai Antoniou, 10. Raul Beneit Romero, 11. Adam Parkhouse, 12. Zachary Mackenzie, 22. Fabio Ferreira (25. James Cakovski 87’), 33. Nikolas Tsattalios (14. Peter Kekeris 29’)

Substitutes Not Used: 19. Darcy Burgess, 20. Nicholas Sorras, 37. Theph Theph

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

APIA Leichardt Tigers: 1. Ivan Necevski, 3. Paul Galimi, 4. Joshua Symons, 6. Christopher Payne, 7. Dominion Nasrabadi (8. Corey Biczo 64’), 10. Franco Parisi (9. Jeremy Cox 84’), 13. David D’Apuzzo (14. Nicholas Stavroulakis 77’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons, 18. Adrian Ucchino, 21. Michael Kouta

Substitutes Not Used:, 17. Patrick Scibilio, 22. Luke Turnbull

Yellow Cards: Adrian Ucchino 36’, Franco Parisi 44’ Michael Kouta 74’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Joshua Symons (APIA)

2 – Christopher Payne (APIA)

1 – Adam Parkhouse (SO)

By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Madeline Reilly

 

North Shore Mariners hold APIA to opening round draw

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North Shore Mariners have made a strong start to their maiden National Premier Leagues NSW campaign as they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with APIA Leichhardt on Saturday a match that acted as the opening game for the 2020 season.

The Champions got themselves off to a strong start in the new battle of Lambert Park as a first half header from the ever-ready Chris Payne put them into the lead on half-time.

APIA were disappointed to lose control of the contest and not hold onto the three points as their second half performance cost them dearly.

For newcomers North Shore Mariners, they acquitted themselves well in their National Premier Leagues NSW debut.

The newly promoted side held their own and earned a point from a fizzing and energetic Emmanuel Peters volley and get off the mark.

Both sides opened the game at a fast pace.

Dom Nasrabadi, deputizing for Corey Biczo, pounced on an erratic pass from the Mariners defence to force his effort wide.

The Mariners responded through Daniel Dias who hooked a shot wide inside the area.

APIA defender Themba Muata-Marlow peeled off well at a corner to thump a header straight at Mariners keeper Ryan Wood followed by an Adrian Ucchino volley that was blocked away as the Champions started to find their groove.

The chances continued to pile up for APIA. Nasrabadi delivered the perfect cross onto the head of marksman Payne who flashed his header wide.

Payne atoned for his miss with the opener in the 41st minute.

The set piece was swung in as the striker craned his neck to nod home, 1-0.

APIA Leichhardt took the advantage into the break after an even first half.

North Shore Mariners had coach Joe Haywood’s words ringing in their ears as they opened the second half with a pair of headers that were dealt with superbly by APIA custodian Ivan Necevski.

APIA aimed to give themselves a two-goal buffer through Sean Symons, who had a pair of shots that flew wide of the goal.

Ucchino got into the act with a fierce strike but Mariners custodian Wood held the ball.

Determined to not christen their new home with a defeat, North Shore Mariners piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

Daniel Saric flicked a header onto the bar then Damir Prodanovic’s volley in a crowded area was held.

The Mariners found joy in the 78th minute when the ball fell perfectly for Peters to thrash a volley home after a goalmouth scramble for 1-1.

Not content with a point, the Mariners pushed forward for a winner in the final ten minutes.

Daniel Dias weaved through APIA defenders like city traffic but sent his shot straight at custodian Necevski as time ticked down.

North Shore had one final chance deep into added time to snatch the points.

Captain Chris Lindsay stood over the free-kick, delivered into the throng of bodies as Braden Cheng broke free rattled the crossbar. Subsequent follow up shots were blocked as the teams were forced to share the points tonight.

APIA Leichhardt coach John Calleja was disappointed that his side couldn’t take claim victory in round one but remained positive with his side’s performance.

“I’m a bit disappointed with the result.

“I thought we shaded the first half to have the lead.

“Credit to North Shore Mariners who fought hard and went for everything,” Calleja said.

“I thought we looked rusty in the second half. Execution was off like we were one or two games short. Now we move onto next week.”

For North Shore Mariners coach Joe Haywood, he was delighted with the first hit-out from his side in the National Premier Leagues Mens 1 and picked up their first points against the 2019 Champions.

“Overall I thought we did well in our first game in NPL1 and we showcased what we are capable of doing.

“As a start in this league, it’s a good one,” he said.

“I thought we battled well especially with some set pieces that rattled the bar.

“There is stuff to work on but we were happy to have taken the point in the end.”

Match Stats

North Shore Mariners 1 (Peters ‘78)

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Payne ‘42)

Saturday, Feburary 29 2020

Lambert Park, Leichhardt

Referee: T. Danaskos

Assistant Referees: E. Kocbek & M. Allum

Fourth Official: J. Ewin

North Shore Mariners: 1. WOOD Ryan, 2. SMAHEL Rainer, 3. LINDSAY Chris, 6. JAMBA Brian, 7. FORLICO Hugo (19. SARIC ‘64), 9. CHENG Braden, 11. PETERS Emmanuel, 16. DIAS Daniel, 18. SMITH Mitchell, 22. EDWARDS Casper (30. SFILIGOI ‘69), 23. PRODANOVIC Damir (26. OLANIRAN ‘77)

Unused Substitutes: 14. PIRIZ Jesse, 21. TINKER Joel

Yellow cards: Cheng

Red cards: nil

APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 1. NECEVSKI Ivan, 3. GAILIMI Paul, 4. SYMONS Joshua, 6. PAYNE Christopher, 7. NASRABADI Dominion (9. COX ‘67), 10. PARISI Franco, 13. D’APUZZO David (19. GIBBS ‘82), 15. MUATA-MARLOW Themba, 16. SYMONS Sean, 18. UCCHINO Adrian, 21. KOUTA Michael

Unused substitutes: 14. HUGHES Lachlan, 17. SCIBILIO Patrick, 22. TURNBULL Luke

Yellow cards: D’Apuzzo, J Symons

Red cards: nil

Player Ratings: 

3: Emmanuel Peters (NSM)

2: Josh Symons (APIA)

1: Brian Jamba (NSM)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

APIA keep it consistent for 2020 season

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Reigning 2019 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Champions APIA Leichhardt Tigers have made minimal fuss in the off-season break as coach John Calleja has opted to stick with the same squad that earned his side the big prize at Bankwest Stadium when they defeated Sydney United 58 in the finale.  

After recently uncovering its new logo for the 2020 NPL NSW season going back to basics with a traditional style adding a modern twist to it, Calleja has stayed true to the squad that gave their faithful so much joy gifting them the Championship in Sydney’s Inner West.

Three new faces have thus far graced the pre-season pitches at the Tigers with former Rydalmere FC player Mitchell Gibbs, ex-Sydney FC youth product Patrick Scibilio and dangerous marksman and another FC and Sutherland Sharks product Jeremy Cox all penning deals with the club. The club may look towards signing one more well-known recruit to finalise its squad.

In the re-signing department, one name that sticks out again is that of iconic club legend and the NPL NSW Men’s maestro Franco Parisi who has stated his intent in playing another year with the 36-year-old hoping to make it back to back Championships.

The likes of 2019 players such as the Symons brothers Sean and Josh, Ivan Necevski, Luke Turnbull, Themba Muata Marlow, Paul Galimi, Sam McIllhatton, Adrian Ucchino, Corey Biczo, Michael Kouta, Chris Payne, Lachlan Hughes and Dom Nasrabadi will once again call Lambert Park while the club has announced that their 2019 mid-season signing, midfield bulldog Nick Stavroulakis, has been appointed assistant coach as well as a registered player for the 2020 season. One player that won’t be there in 2020 will be journeyman Tynan Diaz who will likely feature with NPL 2 NSW Men’s outfit Mounties Wanderers.

The club has also continued its push in promoting and developing their young up and coming players by rewarding Camil Abouchaya and Nick Azzone first grade contracts. The club in recent seasons has produced some fine young talent and both Abou and Azzone will hope to gain as much experience as possible in stamping their claims as future senior stars.

APIA will open its 2020 NPL NSW Men’s campaign with a clash against newly promoted side North Shore Mariners at Lambert Park on Saturday 29th of February.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2020: Sean Symons, Josh Symons, Franco Parisi, Nick Stavroulakis, Ivan Necevski, Luke Turnbull, Themba Muata Marlow, Paul Galimi, Sam McIllhatton, Adrian Ucchino, Corey Biczo, Michael Kouta, Chris Payne, Lachlan Hughes, Dom Nasrabadi, Mitchell Gibbs, Patrick Scibilio, Jeremy Cox, Camil Abouchaya, Nick Azzone.