APIA and Hakoah to meet again for Waratah Cup Final

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A replay of the 2017 Waratah Cup Final will take place on Sunday 15th of July as both APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Hakoah Sydney City East qualified for the big dance after playing out victories in the Cup Semis on Wednesday evening.

Valentine Sports Park played host to a cracking match as the theme of the evening were goals and by golly there were quite a few.

Gavin Rae’s men started like a house on fire and blew out to a 3-0 lead after 28 minutes thanks to goals from the in-form Anthony Frangie, an own-goal from David Vrankovic and Kiwi international Andre De Jong.

The White Eagles looked dead and buried but hit back with a goal of their own in the 33rd minute via Tynan Diaz after heading past Anthony Bouzanis thanks to the quality service of Sam Gallaway.

Vrankovic then redeemed himself for his unfortunate own goal earlier with a belter in the 42nd minute and it was game on as the referee blew for half-time with Hakoah leading 3-2 at the break.

It was Hakoah though that pushed and looked more menacing as they racked up its fourth and final goal early that all but buried the tie in the second half via new recruit Amaury Gauthier, another player that has been in amazing form courtesy of a classic counter attack goal.

And that was all she wrote as a six-goal fiesta took shape at Football NSW headquarters with Hakoah Sydney City East earning a place in this year’s Cup final and a chance to clinch back to back silverware of the historic Cup competition.

While at Sydney United Sports Centre, a classic old school derby took place as APIA Leichhardt Tigers proved far too strong for rivals Marconi Stallions running out 3-0 victors.

After a tight first half it was Corey Biczo who put the Tigers in front two minutes from half-time with a well taken goal.

That goal spurred on the APIA boys and Sean Symons got in on the act in the 52nd minute pushing the gap to two before Biczo added his second of the match in the 80th minute rounding out a precious victory for Billy McColl’s side.

APIA will look for redemption this time round after being tagged as clear favourites going into last year’s Waratah Cup Final, lost 3-1 to a highly motivated Hakoah outfit thanks to goals from Lee and Harry Jones as well as Neil Jablonski.

This shapes up to be an exciting Final and one not to be missed.

2018 Waratah Cup Final

Sunday July 15th

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Hakoah Sydney City East

Venue and time of the Waratah Cup will be announced shortly.