APIA Show Resilience To Take Point Off Rampant Bulls FC Academy
APIA Leichhardt FC produced a resilient performance to hold league leaders Bulls FC Academy to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Lambert Park on Sunday evening in the NPL Women’s NSW Match of the Round.
The hosts were forced to fight back twice after falling behind on two occasions, with both sides sharing the points in an entertaining contest filled with attacking quality and momentum swings.
The result saw the Bulls maintain their strong position at the top of the table, with the point becoming even more valuable following UNSW FC’s draw elsewhere, leaving Marti Garces’ side with one hand firmly on the Premiership.
The Dos Santos sisters were the difference-makers for the visitors, with both Indi and Jynaya finding the back of the net, while APIA responded through captain Ash Letta and Tash Prior.
The opening opportunity came from an unlikely source, with Claudia Cicco finding herself one-on-one with Bulls goalkeeper Ash Hughes on the edge of the penalty area. Hughes reacted quickly to make an important save and keep the scores level.
What followed was a frantic five-minute period that produced three goals and changed the complexion of the match.
The Bulls opened the scoring in the 24th minute after their high press forced APIA into an error.
Tamires Souza looked to squeeze her effort past Anna Leat, but the APIA goalkeeper produced a strong save. However, the rebound fell kindly to Indi Dos Santos, who reacted quickest to tap home and give the visitors the lead.
The advantage lasted less than two minutes.
Talia Kapetanellis drove into the penalty area before showing excellent awareness to square the ball across goal, allowing captain Ash Letta to arrive and finish clinically for her 25th goal of the season.
The action continued immediately at the other end, with Petria Phillips forcing another save from Leat.
The rebound fell to Charlotte Lancaster, who slipped while attempting to clear and was judged to have handled the ball, resulting in an indirect free-kick just outside the six-yard box.
Sarah Hunter stepped up for the Bulls, with her initial effort blocked before Jynaya Dos Santos reacted quickest to fire home and restore the visitors’ lead.
APIA responded once again shortly after the restart.
Within two minutes of the second half beginning, Tash Prior found the back of the net for the first time this season to level the contest at 2-2.
The hosts started the second half brightly, particularly when they were able to move the ball into wide areas and stretch the Bulls defence.
Bulls created their first major opportunity of the half after 10 minutes, with Jynaya Dos Santos narrowly missing the top-right corner after another dangerous attacking move.
The forward continued to threaten and almost completed her brace shortly afterwards, breaking through on goal before Leat produced another excellent save.
APIA pushed for a winner midway through the second half, with Susan Phonsongkham creating space after a strong run but unable to direct her effort on target.
The hosts came even closer moments later when Maya Lobo drove forward before slipping Letta through on goal, but the league’s leading scorer was unable to find the decisive finish.
Both sides continued searching for a winner in the closing stages, but neither could find the breakthrough.
The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 draw, a valuable result for Bulls FC Academy as they continue their charge towards the Premiership, while APIA can take plenty of confidence from twice fighting back against the competition leaders.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt: 2 (Letta 26’, Prior 47’)
Bulls FC Academy: 2 (I. Dos Santos 24’, J. Dos Santos 28’)
Sunday 2 August
Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt: 99. Leat, 2. Cicco, 3. Lancaster, 4. Prior, 5. Lobo, 6. Walker (42. Fava), 7. Kapetanelis, 10. Phonsongkham, 11. Letta, 14. Golding, 18. Hoban.
Substitutes: 13. Jasnos, 24. Kiceec, 31. Gulabovski, 37. Cameron, 38. Rose, 42. Fava.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Bulls FC Academy: 11. Hughes, 2. Phillips, 4. Ferris, 7. I. Dos Santos, 8. Valletta, 10. Souza, 11. Naemi, 14. J. Dos Santos, 17. Surjun, 30. Hunter, 33. Guichon.
Substitute: 6. Harpur, 12. Meli, 13. Vanderlaan, 15. Franklin, 18. Errichiello, 61. Simonsen.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
