The report says the defending champions struggled to impose themselves before halftime, with the game scoreless and Rapaglia critical of his team’s passing and organisation.
Cardinal Hayes then reportedly took the lead in the 57th minute, raising the pressure on a Sea side carrying the expectations of a reigning city champion. The response, however, was immediate in spirit.
Martin Elboghdady restored parity with a free-kick from 24 yards, finding the top-left corner and giving Sea the platform for a late push.
The winning move arrived in the 72nd minute. Mark Ayob advanced from midfield before finding Elboghdady on the left. His cross picked out Matteo Varela, who finished low into the right corner from close range, according to the match report.
That sequence offered a glimpse of the attacking quality Sea can produce even after an untidy start. More importantly, it showed the champions could remain aggressive when the match was turning against them.
The report also recalls Sea’s unbeaten previous campaign, which ended with its first city title under Rapaglia. That achievement inevitably raises the standard for the new season, making the reaction against Cardinal Hayes particularly valuable.
A comeback victory cannot erase the first-half concerns, but it gives Rapaglia a positive result while leaving clear areas to address. Better ball retention and a sharper opening will be priorities as the competition develops.
Sea’s next reported assignment is against St. Peter’s on Monday at 4:30 p.m., a rematch of last season’s Division A city final. It should provide an early test of whether this comeback was merely a rescue act or the start of another championship push.