Last night Central Coast Mariners achieved the unthinkable; a treble which included a continental trophy. But will they be able to win the Australia Cup? They’ll potentially have to face one of the following sides when the round of 32 kicks off.
Let’s talk about each side, how they got here and what their chances of progressing are.
Rockdale Ilinden
Like almost all the clubs to feature in round 7, Rockdale are no strangers to the national stage of the cup appearing twice in 2015 in 2018. In 2015 they progressed to the round of 16 beating Perth SC 3-1 before losing out to Melbourne Victory in a fiercely contested 3-2. In 2018 they went out to Sydney FC 4-2 in the round of 32.
In the NPL, Rockdale sit 1st with only 2 losses. They have been one of the standout sides in the first half of the competition and on track to finish in the top 3 come seasons end.
Rockdale’s Cup Run: Manly United 4-2, Hakoah 2-1, Wollongong Wolves 2-0.
It is important to note that in round 5 their game against Manly ended in penalties showing that they are potentially beatable, however that will be a massive ask by their opposition; Phoenix FC
Phoenix FC
Phoenix are an amateur side playing in the Eastern Suburbs Premier League and one of the only Irish sides in Australia. So far this season they’re sitting in 3rd with 2 wins and 3 draws. Last season they were runners up to Glebe coming 2nd in the season.
Their run to round 7 has been tough, starting out in round 2. They started out with a 5-3 win over Gunners SC, a 4-2 win over Cooks River Titans, knocked off fellow ESFA side Glebe Gorillas in round 4 with a 2-0 win before edging out Lindfield on penalties.
Phoenix’s Cup Run: Gunners SC 5-3, Cooks River 4-2, Glebe Gorillas 2-0, Lindfield (Pens 12-11), Cringila Lions 3-0.
mportant to note, they are the second amateur side outside of the IPL to make the round of 7 after Wagga City Wanderers did it in 2017 (who lost 1-0 to Wolves).
Match Prediction
As exciting as it would be to see an amateur side win their round 7 match and travel up to the Gold Coast to face an NPL side, get on the piss and turn the city green, Rockdale might have something to say. Rockdale will be itching to show why they should be considered for the National Second Tier with a strong cup run and that needs to start in their upcoming match. They have the chance to win the NPL, another national stage appearance will cement their position as a “big club”
3-2 with Rockdale advancing after extra time.
APIA Leichhardt
4 previous round of 32 appearances, and 14 seasons in the NSL (including the double in 1987), APIA are no strangers to the national stage. In fact, looking at their past qualifications they have won every round of 32 game so far. 2017 – defeated Olympic FC 5-0 before losing 3-0 to Blacktown in the Ro16. 2018 – defeated Port Melbourne 1-0, Melbourne Victory 3-2 then lost to Adelaide United 2-0. 2021 – defeated Tigers FC 3-0 aet, upset Western Sydney 2-1 before going out to Central Coast 6-0. 2023 – defeated Goulburn Valley Suns 3-1 before losing to Sydney FC 2-0.
In the league this year they sit 2nd, and are looking likely to be in the top couple at the end of the season. They will be desperate to impress, being one of the foundation NST sides and wanting to prove that they belong to be there. If APIA make the round of 32, expect a good run from them.
APIA’s Cup Run: Hazelbrook FC 19-1, Berkeley Vale 5-0, Blacktown Spartans 5-2.
Marconi Stallions
Fellow foundational NST side Marconi Stallions have had 3 previous round of 32 entries and played in every season of the NSL, so it’s no secret that they’re used to strong performances. However, they’ve only made it to the round of 16 once in their 3 attempts. In 2016 they went down to Hume City on penalties, 2018 losing to Avondale 4-1 and finally in 2019 beating South Hobart 3-0 and losing narrowly to Melbourne City 2-1. After a somewhat lengthy absence the club is no doubt hungry for success and just like APIA, wanting to prove their spot in the NST.
In the NPL this season they’re holding a top 5 spot in a well contested competition. Expect the club to be there for the finals end of the season.
Marconi’s Cup Run: UNSW FC 3-2, SD Raiders 4-2, Coogee United 1-0 (which was an own goal in the 54th minute).
Match Prediction
This one is really tough to call and has the potential to not only be an exciting match, but to also go all the way to penalties. However if we had to put money on it, it would be on APIA to advance, however we expect to see extra time at a minimum.
Inter Lions FC
Looking to make back to back cups after a surprising run last season, Inter Lions would be one of the first non NPL sides to do so, or at least would be the first NSW club (would have to go back and check records).
Last year Inter Lions made the trip to Darwin to defeat Hellenic Athletic 6-0 before a narrow 1-0 defeat to North Eastern MetroStars. Sitting mid table in League One, they’re yet to impress in the league, however they’re definitely performing well in the cup.
Inter’s Cup Run: Yoogali FC 2-0, Warilla Wanderers 11-0, Macarthur Rams 5-4, Coniston FC 5-3.
Blacktown City FC
Become somewhat of a cup specialist team, Blacktown will be looking to add a 6th national cup appearance to their name. It’s easy to forget that they were NSL participants and put an entry in for NST before getting denied in the early stages, but Blacktown are a powerhouse in NSW football.
The club had 4 consecutive round of 32 appearances from 2014 to 2017 before a short break and appearing again in 2021. They are yet to have a deep cup run with the quarter finals being their best result so far.
2014 – 0-1 loss to Bentleigh Greens. 2015 – 2-1 loss to North Eastern MetroStars. 2016 – 6-2 win aet over Sydney United, then defeating Marconi Stallions 3-0 in the round of 16 before bowing out to Sydney FC 3-0.
2017 was their giant slaying year almost knocking out 2 A-League sides. They defeated Mariners 3-2, beat out APIA 3-1 then took Western Sydney all the way to penalties after a 2-2 draw, with it ending 4-2 on pens. Finally in 2021 Mariners got their revenge and won 1-0 in the round of 32.
Blacktown’s Cup Run: St-George City 2-1, Fraser Park 3-0, Northbridge FC 4-0.
In the league they’re running 4th with a decent season so far, but by their standards they’d want to be fighting for the title. Perhaps a national appearance would be a good consolation for them?
Match Prediction
As impressive as Inter have been, Blacktown are simply too good and should progress through. Inter will make it tough but Blacktown to run out eventual 3-1 winners.
Sydney Olympic FC/NWS Spirit
This match is set to be played tomorrow night, with the winner going on to face Sydney United. However we will still preview both sides here.
Sydney Olympic
Former NSL heavyweight Sydney Olympic spent almost every season in the competition and have made the round of 32 in the cup three times already. Their best result has been the round of 16 which they achieved twice. First in 2014 they defeated fellow NPL side manly United 3-1 before losing to NPL Vic side Bentleigh Greens 2-1. In 2015 they got the better of ACT side Gunghalin United 1-0 before bowing out to Hume City 3-1 in what was a thrilling contest. After a few years absence they qualified again 2021, however went out in the round of 32 to Sydney FC 4-2.
In the NPL the Greek club finds themselves in the unfamiliar territory of lower mid table, sitting 10th with 6 wins from their 16 matches.
Olympic’s Cup Run: Unima United 11-0, Wollongong Olympic 4-1.
NWS Spirit
The spiritual successors to Northern Spirit, NWS qualified for the round of 32 in 2022. At the time they were playing in the NPL 2 competition which was a fantastic result for the club. Unfortunately they went out early 4-1 to Peninsula Power so will be looking to re-enter and go further than last time!
The team sits 12th in the NPL only 4 points behind Sydney Olympic, so their game tomorrow night is surely to be an exciting one!
Spirit’s Cup Run: Albion park White Eagles 4-1, Dulwich Hill 3-2
Match Prediction:
Sydney Olympic have had a terrible run the last few weeks, winning only 1 of their last 4, whilst Spirit have won 2 of their last 4. Spirit might have the upper hand here being hungrier to win, however Olympic have the NST pride factor to play for. Expecting this to go to penalties, with the winner going on to face a stronger Sydney United side.
Sydney United
The last of the NST entrants to go through now, in fact on reflection 4 of the 5 NSW NST sides are in round 7 of the preliminaries, with Wollongong going out to Rockdale in round 6. It’s been a terrific showing for these teams so far.
Sydney United are the cup specialists of NSW NPL, appearing in 7 round of 32s already. Fans would be well aware that they almost lifted the trophy against Macarthur United in 2022.
United sit 6th on the table in the NPL, 8 points behind rivals Rockdale, and will be wanting a chance to catch up. However, another deep cup run may be more attractive for the team as they look to go better than their 2022 finals appearance. Let’s go through the rest of their appearances:
2014 – Defeated Far North Queensland 4-1 before losing to Sydney FC 3-1
2015 – Defeated South Hobart on penalties after drawing 3-3, lost 2-0 to Heidelberg
2016 – Lost 6-2 to Blacktown City aet.
2017 – Defeated Far North Queensland again 7-2, lost to Heidelberg United again on penalties
2019 – Defeated St George FC 5-3 aet, lost to Western Sydney 7-1
2022 – Defeated Monaro Panthers 3-0, Western United on penalties, Peninsula Power 1-0, Brisbane Roar 3-2 aet, and were runners up to Macarthur going down 2-0
2023 – Defeated Broadmeadow Magic 4-2, lost to Brisbane Roar 5-0
They have only failed to qualify twice for the national cup: 2018 where they lost in the 6th round to Rockdale 2-1 and 2021 where they lost to Bankstown Lions 4-1 in the 4th round. 2020 did not feature a cup.
Match Prediction
Without knowing their opponent, it’s hard to say but with 7/9 successful attempts at round 7, it’s hard to not back Sydney United to progress through once again.
So there we have it, a full preview of round 7 of the NSW preliminary rounds of the Australia Cup. Only 1 of the sides still in has not made it to the round of 32 before, and if Phoenix are successful, they would become only the 3rd community club and 2nd in NSW to make it that far (Wollongong United in 2022 and Edge Hill United in 2021).
The action kicks off tomorrow night as Inter Lions host Blacktown City.