Full Time on Italy Tour 2025 as APIA Bring Home Valuable Experience

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2025 Viareggio Cup Week 3 Update

Our U19 squad’s time in Italy for the 75th edition of the Viareggio Cup has wrapped up, after unfortunate losses to complete the group phase of competition. Hear the match report on APIA’s second and third matches before travels home began earlier this week.

Viareggio Cup – Match Day 2: APIA vs Magic Stars (Nigeria)

Final Score: Magic Stars 4 – 0 APIA

The rise of African football continues to be felt on the world stage, and the 2025 Viareggio Cup is no exception. With all four of last year’s finalists coming from Africa, this year’s tournament is showcasing the same power and pace.

Our second group stage match saw us face Magic Stars of Nigeria, a quality outfit that opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over our group rivals Casarano.

First Half

APIA began in our usual 5-3-2 formation, aiming to stay compact with a disciplined low block. But Magic Stars moved the ball sharply and found small gaps to exploit.

Midway through the half, a cross into the box was headed down and struck Zak Balian in the chest—but to the shock of the team, the referee awarded a highly controversial penalty, incorrectly judging it to be a handball. Magic Stars converted from the spot to make it 1-0.

Just before halftime, they doubled their lead with a well-placed header from a set piece, leaving keeper Zane Wilkinson with little chance.

Second Half

We made changes to our shape in the second half, looking to get a foothold in the match. Despite the tactical shift, Magic Stars maintained their intensity, often looking like they had an extra man on the pitch with their relentless pressure and movement.

Two late goals pushed the scoreline out to 4-0, but the effort, resilience, and pride shown by the APIA boys against one of the tournament favourites did not go unnoticed.

Starting XI:

Wilkinson, 15. Sousa, 2. Giles, 3. Dominello, 7. Conway, 12. Balian, 8. Basmajian (c), 20. Majurovski, 23. Capuano, 10. Court, 19. Falcetta

Substitutes:

DiBona, 4. Secondo (46’), 6. Imbro (65’), 5. DiGiacomo (46’), 18. Jolly (46’), 14. Maoate-Mani (75’)

Despite the result, the boys left everything on the pitch. We regroup, we learn, and we go again.

Forza APIA!

Viareggio Cup – Match Day 3: APIA vs Casarano

Final Score: Casarano 1 – 0 APIA

The third and final group stage match of the Viareggio Cup was always seen as APIA’s best chance to take something from the tournament—and they came heartbreakingly close.

Their opponents, Casarano, hail from the deep southeast of Italy and compete in Series D. They had a mixed start to the tournament, opening with a 2-1 loss to Magic Stars before pulling off a shock 1-0 win against Serie A giants Sassuolo. With qualification hanging in the balance, Casarano knew only a win would guarantee their progression. But APIA weren’t going to roll over.

We were warned Casarano would be physical—but no one warned us they’d be dirty. Just minutes into the match, their right back elbowed stand-in captain Ethan DiGiacomo in an off-the-ball incident, setting the tone for 90+ minutes of gamesmanship and aggression.

The first half was constantly interrupted by fouls—most of them from Casarano. They were masters of the dark arts, disrupting play at every opportunity. Every whistle sparked reactions from both benches and fans, making it a volatile and fragmented affair with few real chances for either side

But right before halftime—just as had happened in APIA’s previous matches—Casarano struck. A long goal kick was won in midfield, flicked behind APIA’s high line, and suddenly talisman Jacopo Grimaldi was through one-on-one with keeper DiBona. As he had done earlier in the tournament, Grimaldi calmly slotted the ball home. It was Casarano’s first real chance of the match—and it was enough to see them into the lead at the break.

But APIA weren’t finished. Like a boxer getting back up off the canvas, they came out swinging in the second half. Wave after wave of attacks pinned Casarano deep in their own half for nearly 45 minutes, but the elusive equaliser never came.

The match ultimately ended 1-0, settled by that single moment before halftime. A fiery contest both on and off the field, with the benches and the crowd adding to the atmosphere.

Casarano progressed to the next round thanks to their earlier win over Sassuolo. APIA, though, were gallant in defeat—producing a dominant second-half performance that deserved at least a point.

APIA Starting XI

DiBona | 18. Jolly | 6. Imbro | 14. Maoate-Mani | 3. Dominello | 5. DiGiacomo (c) | 4. Secondo | 7. Conway | 19. Falcetta | 21. Boutros | 20. Majurovski

Substitutes

Wilkinson (46’) | 15. Sousa (46’) | 8. Basmajian (46’) | 2. Giles (60’) | 23. Capuano (60’) | 10. Court (75’)

Post-Match & Tour Wrap-Up

The team, staff, and families wrapped up their incredible Italian adventure with a presentation dinner at local favourite Calma Ciccia & Pizza, hosted by our friend Valter. He put on an incredible five-course meal, and the club handed out official medals and player awards.

Man of the Match – Game 1: Nathaniel Giles
Man of the Match – Game 2: Gary Basmajian
Man of the Match – Game 3: Keaunu Maoate-Mani
Players’ Player of the Tournament: Nathaniel Giles (unanimous vote)
Coaches’ Player of the Tournament: Gary Basmajian

The weekend brought another rare Code Orange weather warning in Tuscany, keeping players indoors for much of it. But Monday brought blue skies and sunshine, perfect for the final leg of the journey—sightseeing in Rome, last-minute pizza and gelato, and then off to Fiumicino Airport for the flight home.