"We want to be part of the big games" - APIA Leichhardt fired up for title race

APIA Leichhardt took on Western Sydney Wanderers youth in round 24 of the NPL NSW, winning a thrilling clash 5-3. (Image: @avi_imaging Instagram)

Six rounds remain until the end of the season in NPL NSW, and APIA Leichhardt has regained form after their 5–3 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 24.

The victory put further pressure on their rivals, Marconi Stallions, in the race for the minor premiership.

Looking back a month ago to round 20, APIA sat at the top of the table, one point ahead of Marconi, until two consecutive defeats to Rockdale Ilinden and Sutherland Sharks lowered them to four points behind the Stallions heading into Round 24 against Western Sydney Wanderers' youth side.

The Wanderers put up a fight against the title contender, leading 3–2 at half-time, though APIA's talent and experience were on display in the second half.

Two penalties from Presley Ortiz and a goal from 17-year-old Max Court, who won the first spot-kick to even the score, comfortably secured a needed win for the club.

"We play the Wanderers every pre-season, where what happens is they score, we score, and so forth in the games, but normally in competitions that doesn't really happen," APIA coach Franco Parisi said after the match.

"So the focus was to not concede in the second half, and we achieved that. Western Sydney Wanderers were fantastic, but we were just breaking them down, and it was a very tough game that had eight goals, but everyone should be happy."

The result put APIA closer to Marconi in the race for the minor premiership as they built on their previous two wins, both of which were 2–1 score-lines, against Sydney FC in round 23 and Peninsula Power in the Australia Cup.

"We really are happy to get through this week [since] it was the eighth time this year we had to play three games in a week," Parisi said.

"But as the games have been building up, the boys have just kept responding, kept putting the energy together and the football's been good in every game we have played. So we are really proud."

With league and cup matches scheduled for APIA, fixture congestion can build fatigue in players, especially at NPL level where clubs may have fewer resources than professional clubs to ensure the squad remains fit, increasing fatigue more easily as the season goes on.

But this isn't a concern for Parisi and his men.

"We strive to be in cup competitions, and it's what we are happy to play in. That is the reason why we have a strong squad, and there are a lot of players [in the team] that back each other and that are able to come in for each other," he said.

"We have been able to utilise our squad to its fullest, and credit to the boys, they stick together when they've been caught up, and not just when they perform. The culture and the group itself are helping us get through these games.

"So we welcome all the cup games because they are the moments you want to be in. We want to be part of the big games, and whilst there is a lot of games, it's what we have wanted when we set out [our goals at] the start of the season."

For Australian football neutrals, all eyes are on the Australia Cup at the moment, but the premiership race between APIA and Marconi is a story worth paying attention to.

APIA are contesting their seventh minor premiership title, the last being in 2023, while Marconi sets out to achieve their first in club history.

The gap at the top of the table closed even more after round 24, as Sydney United sit only four points behind first after their 1–0 win over Marconi last Sunday, while APIA are one point behind the Stallions.

"All of us (APIA, Marconi, and Sydney United) are looking to get that minor premiership, and also finish top two, which is critical for the semi-final," Parisi said.

"The grand final is the major prize, but you want the minor premiership as well. We have six games to go, and you just want to win those games and be in good form going into the final series.

"But all three of us also have the (Australian) Championship after. So for the players, there is a long season ahead, and it is not limited to NPL.

"There is so much to play for, and we've got a lot of football ahead of us, and that's why we just keep focused, as an old cliché, on one game at a time."

For now, Parisi's focus will be on round 25 in NPL NSW and the Australia Cup, where APIA will play in the round of 16 for the fourth time on club history.

With the national stage in mind, the squad will hope to make history in front of the nation's eyes, following in the footsteps of Heidelberg United and Sydney United.

"There are a lot of NPL clubs that set out to win it, so we will do our best to go as far as we can," Parisi said.

"I think the dream for everyone that is participating is that a non-A-League team wins the Australia Cup, so we'll play our part, and even if we don't necessarily do that along the way, we will try to knock out some teams."

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