APIA storm into Waratah Cup final with dominant semi-final win

APIA Leichhardt are through to their second Waratah Cup final in three seasons after a 4-2 victory over SD Raiders at Lambert Park on Wednesday night.

A brace from Oscar Gonzalez helped fire the hosts into the decider, while SD Raiders showed their quality throughout and ensured a competitive contest despite the final scoreline.

The early stages didn’t go APIA’s way, with Gonzalez ruled offside before Alex Denmead’s dangerous pass into the box was cleared by Lachlan Everett.

SD Raiders, however, were creating quality chances of their own. Luka Knezevic tested APIA goalkeeper Alexander Parkes, before a last-ditch sliding tackle from Themba Muata-Marlow denied Martin Fernandez a clear shot on goal.

Cooper Hanagan then broke through APIA’s defensive line in the 18th minute following a brilliant through ball, only for Parkes to produce a strong save and smother the danger.

Despite sustained pressure, APIA struck first in the 19th minute through Max Court, who finished after Denmead created space and guided a low effort just inside the side netting.

Gonzalez doubled the lead in the 27th minute, capitalising on a defensive mix-up from the Raiders to poke home from close range.

APIA then made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute through Denmead, whose well-placed strike from inside the box flashed across goal and nestled into the far corner past Loucas.

SD Raiders almost responded immediately, with Parkes producing a brilliant save in the 36th minute before the follow-up effort crashed back off the crossbar.

APIA’s dominance continued after the break, with Gonzalez adding his second in the 51st minute, running onto a perfectly weighted pass from Court to finish clinically and make it 4-0.

He came close to a hat-trick just minutes later, dragging a shot narrowly wide after another strong attacking run.

SD Raiders created a rare chance on the hour mark, but Ethan Beaven was unable to direct his header on target.

The visitors eventually pulled one back in the 70th minute through substitute Jakov Malbasa, who timed his run well to finish from close range and spark hopes of a comeback.

In the 87th minute, SD made the closing stages nervy when Robert Eremugo scored after Riley Cox-Barlow delivered a perfect ball across goal.

Despite the late pressure, APIA held firm to secure a 4-2 win and book their place in the Waratah Cup final.

APIA’s star young gun striker Oscar Gonzalez reflected on both his and the team’s efforts post-match.

“We worked so hard from the very start of the pre-season to get to where we are now.

“Despite slipping up a bit we held on and highlighted why we’re still one of the best teams in the competition. Now we have to get the job done against Sydney United 58.

“SD Raiders were tough to compete against and their position on the ladder shows their quality. Their transition on the pitch was unbelievable. For us we need to not get complacent and stay strong until the very end.

“Whilst for myself individually I always pride myself on being the best I can be and two goals is nice. It could have been better for myself, as well as us conceding two. Overall though the boys were awesome and I’m happy with how we played.”

Match Stats

APIA Leichhardt 4 (Max Court 19’, Oscar Gonzalez 27’, 51’, Alex Denmead 33’)

SD Raiders 2 (Jakov Malbasa 70’, Robert Eremugo 87’)

Wednesday 17 June, 2026

Lambert Park

Referee: Blake Sanchez-Cruz

Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana and Daniel Cornofsky

Fourth Official: Matthew Staples

APIA Leichhardt: 2.Seiya Kambayashi, (3.Navid Alizada 62’), (4.Eijin Kishimoto 46’), (8.Michael Konestabo 76’), 14.Max Court, 15.Themba Muata-Marlow, 16.Sean Symons, 19.Fabian Monge, 20.Alexander Parkes, 21.Michael Kouta, 22.Edward Capsers, (23.Levi Sciuriaga 62’), 24.Cameron Fong, 26.Oscar Gonzalez, 30.Alex Denmead, (99.Franco Farinella 76’)

Substitutes not used: 9.Prelsey Ortiz

Yellow cards: Edward Capsers 35’, Max Court 57’, Michael Konestabo 84’, Navid Alizada 90+2’

Red cards: None

SD Raiders: 4.Cooper Hanagan, 5.Jett McCue-Shore, 6.Lachlan Everett, (8.James Letta 46’), (9.Jakov Malbasa 57’), 10.Luka Knezevic, (11.Thomas Santarossa 57’), (15.Matthew Lee 57’), 17.Martin Fernandez, 18.Charlie Ragg, (19.Riley Cox-Barlow 68’), 22.Yonatan Sebhatu, 23.Thomas Makko, 37.Robert Eremugo, 40.William Loucas, 47.Ethan Beaven

Substitutes not used: 13.Ham Donghwa

Yellow Cards: Ethan Beaven 84’

Red cards: None

-By Toby Canning