2025 Sapphire Cup Final Preview

The Sapphire Cup final will see APIA Leichhardt take on Mt Druitt Town Rangers in what promises to be a compelling encounter at Valentine Sports Park on Thursday 17th of July. 

APIA have experienced a mixed league campaign so far this season, but have excelled in the Cup, breaking past four top tier National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW teams to make the Grand Final.

They opened their campaign with a strong 4-1 victory over Sydney Olympic before prevailing in an exhilarating 5-4 win against NWS Spirit, which featured goals from Estelle Fragale, Zoe Panagopoulos, Te Reremoana Walker and a brace from Ashlee Brodigan.

Moving on, APIA Leichhardt picked up another 4-1 win – beating Northern Tigers at Lambert Park to advance to the Semi-Final.

Up against a strong Western Sydney Wanderers side, they fell behind in the 12th minute, but equaliser shortly after via an own goal, before Sophie Hoban secured their spot in the Sapphire Cup final with a late winner.

Mt Druitt, on the other hand, have been mightily impressive since their promotion from League One Women’s in 2024, pushing strongly for what would be a sensational NPL Women’s NSW Premiership.

In the Sapphire Cup, they began Round Three with a 5-1 win over Caringbah Redbacks FC – the only goal they were to concede in the tournament thus far.

A 1-0 win against Gladesville Ravens was followed by a 2-0 victory over Sydney University SFC, which featured early goals from Leena Khamis and Rosaria Galea.

In the Semi-Final, an 82nd minute goal from substitute Rita Boateng secured their spot in what promises to be a highly entertaining Sapphire Cup final.

The sides have met twice in the league in 2025, with the first match going the way of Mt Druitt in Round Four, with an 86th and 92nd minute goals from Clare Holder and Roukayah Al Fararjeh securing a statement victory.

However, in their most recent fixture, it was APIA who emerged victorious, with Hoban and Ashlee Brodigan securing a Round 17 win for last year’s Grand Finalists in the NPL Women’s NSW competition.

With both sides showing they have the capacity to get the better of each other at different stages of the season, this promises to be a thrilling, tense encounter.

So make sure to get down to Valentine Sports Park at 7pm on Thursday, the 17th of July, to watch two of the best sides in the state battle it out for the prestigious Sapphire Cup, with the game also available live and free on Football NSW’s YouTube Channel with Nikola Pozder and Will Konstantinidis calling the shots. 

Key players

Both teams will feature plenty of quality in the final, with big names set to impress all across the park.

Estelle Fragale will be key to the midfield battle for APIA Leichhardt, with the 22-year-old a consistent engine for her side, combining tenacity off the ball with technique and guile in possession.

Te Reremoana Walker’s combination with Fragale has been an exciting watch this campaign, and the two will be a formidable force in allowing APIA to play forwards while making them hard to break down.

Further up the field, Ashlie Crofts and Sophie Hoban are both more than capable of finding decisive moments, while 2024 Sapphire Cup final winner Hannah McNulty will also provide exciting quality.

While Claudia Cicco and Jess Seaman will be players leading the charge from the back.

When looking at Mt Druitt, it’s hard to go past the name of Leena Khamis, who has excelled once more in New South Wales this campaign.

Khamis is a top competitor, and the former Matilda’s influence could be the decider at Valentine Sports Park, as she so often is for her side.

Roukayah Al Fararjeh will also be crucial for her side, with the winger a constant threat due to her blistering pace and dribbling ability down either flank.

Meanwhile, in defence, Holly Williams will be a calm, dominant presence for her side, having started every league game this season along with Kaiya Buchanan, while Renee Krstanovska is always capable of a spectacular save in goals.

You can also throw in Keiko Tanaka in the mix with her experience along with Rita Boateng up front and Ena Harada.

Match Details

APIA Leichhardt FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC
Thursday 17 July

7:00pm kick-off

Valentine Sports Park Field 2

*Deploy Sports is the official ball sponsor of the Sapphire Cup 

APIA Leichhardt FC: Sophie Magus, Claudia Cicco, Tash Prior, Jess Seaman, Teal Kilbride, Mona Walker, Charlotte Lancaster, Hannah McNulty, Melissa Caceres, Ashlie Crofts, Jordan Jasnos, Mia Golding, Gisella Pipino, Estelle Fragale, Sophie Hoban, Imogen Lane, Zoe Panagopoulos, Christina Kiceec, Paige Cuthill, Alyssa Rose, Ashlee Brodigan, Sally James.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers: Laura Tredinnick, Renee Krstanovska, Kaiya Buchanan, Holly Williams, Olivia Sloan, Natalie Casha, Keiko Tanaka, Roukayah Al Fararjeh, Rosie Galea, Tiarne Flavin, Leena Khamis, Clare Holder, Holly Pender, Holly Dalrymple, Charlotte Jonsson, Jessica Robinson, Tiana Barton, Tasmyn Hill, Rita Boateng, Ena Harada, Sheiden Jabour, Wenny Gao, Ella Buchanan, Adelaide Wyrzynski.

Match Officials:

Referee: Harriet Gee – Football South Coast Referees

Assistant Referee 1: Lara Hogan – Hills Football Referees

Assistant Referee 2: Hannah Sheridan – Manly Warringah Football Referees Association

Fourth Official: Casey Fleming – Football South Coast Referees