2017 Waratah Cup Preview
Sunday’s Waratah Cup final between APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Hakoah Sydney City East is best described as a battle between David and Goliath.
The might of APIA, who will be looking to win the title four years after they were crowned Cup Champions in 2013, against a scrappy and resilient Hakoah who will be playing in their maiden Waratah Cup decider.
APIA has not dropped below second spot on the league ladder this season and have defeated Hakoah, who are sitting in seventh, two times already in 2017.
But as everyone knows, form goes out the window in cup finals.
While it was smooth sailing for APIA on their way to the Waratah Cup final, conceding only one goal and scoring 15, it couldn’t have been any more different for their opposition Hakoah.
Hakoah has become the feel good story of the competition after what has been an incredible journey to Sunday’s decider.
A comprehensive 6-1 win on the road against Inter Lions kick-started Hakoah’s campaign, but it was after this point when their fairytale run really got going.
Next up was PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s opposition and 2016 Waratah Cup finalists Manly United. Locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes Hakoah held their nerve to triumph 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Their next match against South Coast side Albion Park White Eagles also needed penalties to decide a winner after scores were tied at 3-3 after extra-time. Once again Hakoah remained composed to win 4-2 in the shootout.
A 3-1 win against PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s team Rockdale City Suns made people take notice of Hakoah’s cup form.
Not many rated Hakoah’s chances in the semi-final against Sydney United 58 but that didn’t bother Gavin Rae and his team from Hensley Athletic Field.
Hakoah shocked the reigning Waratah Cup champions to secure their spot in the final with a 3-2 victory.
Hakoah player-coach Rae said Sunday’s clash will be a momentous occasion for the Hensley Athletic Field based outfit.
“It’s huge for our club,” he said.
“We are not a club that has been established for many years in regard to getting into finals and playing in the NPL so we are certainly looking forward as a club and a community to the occasion.”
Up against an APIA team boasting one of the strongest team lists in the competition, Hakoah will be forced to utilise its ability to disrupt attacks with a resilient and patient defence before firing back on the counter through Kiwi striker Andre De Jong and pacy winger Anthony Frangie.
Rae will use his experience of more than 300 games in the Scottish Premier League to marshal Hakoah from a deep lying midfield position while goalkeeper Anthony Bouzanis will be hoping his good form this season continues as their last line of defence – albeit led by the club’s tough tackling defender Brad Walker.
The return of star attacker Neil Jablonski provides Hakoah with an attacking wildcard. The man known as ‘Jabba’ is an experienced campaigner and could be a game changer.
“The expectation for the final is that it will be a difficult game,” Rae said.
“We have played APIA twice already this season and lost both, but anything can happen in a final.”
While they will go into the game as favourites, APIA knows the result is anything but a foregone conclusion.
“We know it isn’t going to be an easy game,” APIA coach Danial Cummins said.
“Hakoah is a tough team and have provided a good contest the two times we have played them this season.
“I’m expecting the match to be a physical one. Gavin has them playing quite well and now they have Jablonski back and he will provide a different element.”
Cummins will most likely deploy a similar game plan to the one which has helped APIA become one of the league’s best.
Utilising fast transitions through their wide defenders and wingers, as well as a high press in midfield to win the ball, APIA can be a handful and possess the talent to score at any moment.
Japanese import Tasuku Sekiya has the talent to tear a game open while striker Jordan Murray and Matt West have an eye for goal the finishing skills to match – add to that the guise and talent of Adrian Ucchino, David D’Apuzzo and Sean Symons and the Tigers will hope they can roar to victory on Sunday.
“It is not that often you get in a cup final so I have told the players to cherish the moment,” Cummins said.
“It is important for us to have some success after a lean few years so there is that extra pressure.
“We just need to get back to what we were doing at the start of the season and carry it into the final.”
MITRE, who are the official ball sponsor for the Waratah Cup, will showcase their ‘Delta Hyperseam’ version so keep your eyes peeled for that on Finals day.
2017 Waratah Cup Details
Sunday 9th July
Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Hakoah Sydney City East
4pm
Adults $10 – Concessions $5 – Children Under 16 FREE
*The game will also be LIVE STREAMED with expert commentary from Adam Santarossa via the PS4 NPL NSW Facebook page so keep your eye out on that when coverage kicks off at 4pm.
