Northern Tigers to face Sydney United 58 in 2025 Waratah Cup Final
League One Men’s high-flyers Northern Tigers booked their first ever Waratah Cup Final ticket after knocking out reigning Cup Champions APIA Leichhardt 3-2 and will take on National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW heavyweights Sydney United 58 for the first piece of silverware in 2025.
United 58 are no strangers to this Cup having lifted the trophy an incredible seven times as they took care of League One Men’s giantkillers SD Raiders FC 2-0.
The deadlock at Edensor Park was broken in the 42nd minute after some razzle dazzle by Sydney United 58’s in-form midfielder Mason Wells saw the young gun lay a ball to the path of Carlos De Oliveria who smashed his shot from well outside the box that rocked the SD Raiders net.
United 58 went 2-0 up after the break in 62nd minute after some brilliant lead up play from Matt Hatch saw his perfect delivery from the right side smashed home by Patrick Antelmi after the veteran striker’s first attempt from inside the box was saved by Michael Figueira.
It was to end that way as the former NSL giants stamped their Waratah Cup ticket hoping to go one better than last year where they lost out in the final to APIA.
While finally an upset looked on the cards at Lambert Park when League One outfit Northern Tigers hit the lead in the 46th minute thanks to a venomous shot by Connor Rose that stunned APIA Leichhardt FC keeper Anthony Bouzanis.
Sean Symons stepped up for the hosts and scored a scorching piledriver with his lethal left foot in the 66th minute that gave APIA the energy lift they needed to take control of the match.
Three minutes later and APIA took the lead following that Symons bomb via their ace young midfielder Franco Farinella.
As APIA took the ascendancy, the Tigers never say die attitude was there to be seen by all as ten minutes from time Alexander Brown hit a sweet left foot shot that stunned Bouzanis and his defenders as well as the home crowd and it was game on once more as the scores were levelled at 2-2.
The Tigers then tore APIA hearts in the 88th minute when club sharpshooter Kai Denton broke the offside trap and cooly slotted home what ended up being the winner as he secured his club’s first ever Waratah Cup final much to the delight of the travelling fans.
Football NSW will be announcing the venue and time details in due course so stay tuned for more information on this via our website and social channels.
*Deploy is the Official Ball Sponsor of the Waratah Cup.
