By Greg Stock
The A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers blew their chance to join Blacktown City at the top of the New South Wales Premier League competition table after their upset 1-0 loss to the Sutherland Sharks.
Going into the game two points adrift of the Demons, the Tigers had it all to play for, but came unstuck courtesy of a Matthew Smith goal eight minutes from time.
"It was a surreal moment to see the ball go into the net," said Tigers coach John Romeo.
"We were so disappointed with the loss given we had come to Seymour Shaw Park knowing how important the game was."
With veteran striker Steve Karavatakis back in the starting line-up for the first time this season the Sharks looked hungry and shaded the visitors for chances during a torrid first half.
But in the second it was the Tigers who looked the more likely to break the game open as they hit the woodwork in the 61st minute before Franco Parisi had his claims for a penalty knocked back when he clashed with Ben Spruce.
Tigers defender Buddy Farah coming the closest for the Tigers when his header from inside the six yard box sailed narrowly of the left hand upright on 80 minutes.
Two minutes later the Tigers Minor Premiership ambitions were in turmoil as Sharks midfielder Nick Stavroulakis set up Matthew Smith for the winner.
Racing down the left, Stavroulakis delivered the perfect cross for Smith who had his first effort blocked but was able to do enough with the rebound to slip the ball past goalkeeper Matthew Nash on the tightest of angles.
The goal a fitting reward for the Sharks who gutsed it out to keep their slim top four ambitions still burning.
"This was a game we desperately wanted to win," said injured Sharks skipper George Souris.
"The team showed a lot of resilience and character to keep fighting and deliver the winner late in the game."
Stavroulakis and the Smith brothers (Matthew and Andrew) setting up the win by countering the Tigers usually influential midfield.
"The win was set up in the midfield, we kept APIA on the back-foot and it set the platform for the result," said Souris.
The Tigers remaining in second spot with the loss but still just three points behind Blacktown City with three games left to go.
To check out the latest highlights from the NSW Premier League go here!
* From Football NSW
The A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers blew their chance to join Blacktown City at the top of the New South Wales Premier League competition table after their upset 1-0 loss to the Sutherland Sharks.
Going into the game two points adrift of the Demons, the Tigers had it all to play for, but came unstuck courtesy of a Matthew Smith goal eight minutes from time.
"It was a surreal moment to see the ball go into the net," said Tigers coach John Romeo.
"We were so disappointed with the loss given we had come to Seymour Shaw Park knowing how important the game was."
With veteran striker Steve Karavatakis back in the starting line-up for the first time this season the Sharks looked hungry and shaded the visitors for chances during a torrid first half.
But in the second it was the Tigers who looked the more likely to break the game open as they hit the woodwork in the 61st minute before Franco Parisi had his claims for a penalty knocked back when he clashed with Ben Spruce.
Tigers defender Buddy Farah coming the closest for the Tigers when his header from inside the six yard box sailed narrowly of the left hand upright on 80 minutes.
Two minutes later the Tigers Minor Premiership ambitions were in turmoil as Sharks midfielder Nick Stavroulakis set up Matthew Smith for the winner.
Racing down the left, Stavroulakis delivered the perfect cross for Smith who had his first effort blocked but was able to do enough with the rebound to slip the ball past goalkeeper Matthew Nash on the tightest of angles.
The goal a fitting reward for the Sharks who gutsed it out to keep their slim top four ambitions still burning.
"This was a game we desperately wanted to win," said injured Sharks skipper George Souris.
"The team showed a lot of resilience and character to keep fighting and deliver the winner late in the game."
Stavroulakis and the Smith brothers (Matthew and Andrew) setting up the win by countering the Tigers usually influential midfield.
"The win was set up in the midfield, we kept APIA on the back-foot and it set the platform for the result," said Souris.
The Tigers remaining in second spot with the loss but still just three points behind Blacktown City with three games left to go.
To check out the latest highlights from the NSW Premier League go here!
* From Football NSW
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