Rockdale and APIA play out a draw in opening round

Rockdale City Suns and APIA Leichhardt kick started their season at Bicentennial Park in Rockdale with adraw that went some way to satisfying both teams.

The game was certainly not the best ever seen in the NSW Premier League but given the heavy conditions it will have to do.

After the game APIA’s flamboyant Football Manager Tony Raciti admitted that he thought his team deserved all three points.

“I thought that obviously we were the better team even though we didn’t play that well today, but we did create four to five clear-cut chances.”

Set pieces proved to be each side’s best hope early on. APIA Leichhardt were first to try their luck when a lovely David D’Apuzzo corner made its way to Nicola Rizzo who forced the ‘keeper Dion Shaw into a good save just under the crossbar.

Rockdale’s reply was also dangerous when an Adem Kir corner was beautifully curled into Joshua Lawson who struck his header just wide of the net.

In the 36th minute APIA Leichhardt should really have taken the lead when Anthony Hartshorn was gifted the ball. By the time he rounded however the goalkeeper his weak shot was beautifully intercepted by Giorgio Speranza off his own line to save Rockdale.

In the second half Rockdale City didn’t take too long to score. Kir fired in an absolute bomb – perhaps a scud missile - from approximately 30 metres that was never going to miss the net.

The home side should really have doubled the lead shortly afterwards when Steven Veleski was gifted a great ball that allowed him to charge towards goal but unfortunately for the home side he skewed his shot across the face of the goal.

Only minutes later, as often occurs, the ball made its way to Franco Parisi and the former Newcastle Jet made no mistake in striking gold to equalise for the Tigers.

Both sides did have a few more chances later on but another goal to either team would have been a travesty of justice. After the game Rockdale City Suns’ coach Lee Sterrey was pleased with his side.

“I thought we went okay given that APIA were a top five team from last year

“I thought we handled their attack well.

“Adem Kir scored a great goal and five minutes later we had a clear break away with Steven Veleski and we didn’t score with a one-on-one."

When asked about the prospects for the 2011 season Sterrey was confident.

“We want to make the play-offs, like all teams, so once a team is in the five there is every opportunity to go on and win a Grand Final.”

The message from the opposition was remarkably similar with APIA Leichhardt’s Tony Raciti clearly stating his ambition.

“I think every team should expect to finish first, otherwise they shouldn’t bother to go into the competition, so obviously we are aiming for that position.”

ROCKDALE CITY 1
(Kir 50’)
A.P.I.A. LEICHHARDT 1
(Parisi 61’)

Sunday, 27th March, 2011
Bicentennial Park, Rockdale

Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Thomas Lee and Alex Long
Fourth Official: Thomas Daikos

ROCKDALE CITY SUNS FC: 22. Dion Shaw, 7. Peter Apolevski, 23. Askin Oygur, 10. Sash Trajcevski, 6. Joshua Lawson, 13. Giorgio Speranza, 4. Kosta Lagoudakis (11. Adem Kir 13’), 8. Dominic Hudap, 3. Shay Spitz (19. Marino Musumeci 88’), 9. Jason Naidovski (5. Jeffrey Issa 74’), 12. Steven Veleski.
YELLOW CARDS: Naidovski 60’
RED CARDS: Nil

A.P.I.A. LEICHHARDT: 1. Jose Bello-Amigo, 2. Mark Byrnes, 3. John Kelso, 13. David D’Apuzzo, 4. Cole Tinkler, 5. Michael West, 7. Stephen Kayes, 8. Anthony Hartshorn, 11. Nicola Rizzo (19. Sam Messam 74’), 9. Robbie Younis, 10. Franco Parisi (16. Chris James 88’).
YELLOW CARDS: Hartshorn 81’, Parisi 83’
RED CARDS: Nil

Match Highlights courtesy of Football NSW