Australian Championship
THE INAUGURAL Australian Championship Group Stage reached its conclusion on Sunday, as the final three Quarter-Final places were snapped up by Wests APIA, NWS Spirit and MetroStars.
Sunday’s Round 6 action provided goals galore – as has invariably been the case with the Australian Championship in its first-ever season – with drama on show from every corner of the competition, with NWS Spirit beating Canberra Croatia FC 2-0, while Wests Apia FC defeated Bayswater City 4-0.
NWS Spirit, the NSW Premiers, arrived in the nation’s capital on Sunday in need of a win to progress into the Quarter-Finals.
Croatia, meanwhile, needed a heavy victory for a dramatic late finals push – which they left until the final day.
Jackson Brown pounced off a costly Canberra Croatia mistake in the hosts’ own penalty area, which put the visitors in front after 23 minutes of football.
In a tense encounter, with both teams battling for a much-coveted Quarter-Finals spot, no further goals came.
Spirit went on to keep a clean sheet, winning 1-0 away from home to leapfrog Preston Lions into second in Group C, to progress to the final eight.
Meanwhile Wests Apia FC broke the deadlock as Franco Farinella tapped home a cross from Presley Ortiz from within the six-yard box.
Farinella wasn’t done there, finishing with composure on the cusp of the break to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage.
Things went from bad to worse for Bayswater City following the dismissal of Scottish midfielder Sean McManus.
However, this didn’t deter the visitors from getting themselves back on the comeback trail.
Aidan Edwards dinked the ball over the top of Wests APIA goalkeeper Oliver Kalac, who wasn’t able to punch the ball away to safety.
The hosts responded accordingly.
Oscar Gonzalez, upon his senior debut, found the net to round off an impressive 4–1 win for Apia, leapfrogging them to first on the Group D ladder.
The result also assisted South Australian outfit MetroStars, who finished the group in second place – surpassing Bayswater City, who only required one point from two matches to ensure qualification into the final eight.
Upon the conclusion of the weekend action, the road to the inaugural Australian Championship Final has now been confirmed.
Wests Apia FC next take on Marconi Stallions FC at Leichhardt Oval this Friday, November 21, from 7.45pm, while NWS Spirit FC battle South Melbourne FC at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday, November 23, from 3.05pm.
More info: australianchampionship.com.au
The Weekly Times – 19th November 2025
