Last night the draw took place for the Australia Cup round of 32, giving us some really exciting match ups in the near future.
Straight off the bat we have only 1 all A-League match with the winner of the Roar/Glory play off hosting Melbourne City. An optimist would say that there is a great chance that we lose quite a number of A-League sides, potentially almost all of them. A pessimist would retort that it means all the sides are guaranteed through. A realist would point out that there have been many cupsets over the years as well as many blow outs and it’s likely that at least a couple of the sides will be knocked out. However the more that make it through, the more likely they will play each other over the next few rounds making way for some potentially deep cup runs from NPL sides.
On the topic of upsets, it’s important to remember that NPL sides are in the thick of their seasons, whereas the A-League sides will just be starting pre-seasons. At this stage there are sides without a confirmed coach let alone a full squad of first grade players so there’s no surprise that there may be a number of upsets, especially as a number of clubs don’t treat the cup with enough respect especially as it guarantees a spot in the Asian competition.
NSW Sides
Let’s start a dive in by looking at where our teams may be traveling to and who they will be facing.
NWS Spirit v Glenorchy Knights
Spirit will be hosting the Tasmanian side in our first interstate match. Spirit found their way to this stage by defeating Sydney United in round 7 of the preliminaries, whilst Knights gained entry with a 3-2 win over Kingsborough United. This will be a tough game for Spirit who currently sit 11th in the NSW NPL and 3 wins from their last 5 matches in the competition whilst Glenorchy sit 2nd in the Tasmanian NPL with 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5. There is a difference in quality between the two competitions though and the home ground advantage for Spirit should be enough to get them over the line.
Our prediction: Spirit 2 – 1 Knights
Olympic FC v APIA Leichhardt
Despite the interstate travel APIA must be favourites in this match. APIA are traveling strongly in the NPL with 13 wins out of their 19 games whilst Olympic have only managed 4 from their 13 this season, although it must be said that 2 of those have come in the last 4 weeks albeit against teams just either side of them. APIA stormed through the early stages of the prelims before edging out Marconi in round 7 whilst Olympic had a simpler run in, never facing another side from the QLD NPL competition.
Our prediction: Olympic 1 – 3 APIA
Blacktown City v Adelaide United
Blacktown City are no strangers when it comes to A-League opposition in the cup. They had one of the more famous upsets defeating Mariners and took Wanderers to penalties in previous years, and will be looking to take down another giant in the 2024 edition of the cup. Blacktown are playing good football currently, sitting 3rd in the NPL, however they recently had a shock defeat to Sutherland Sharks. Meanwhile Adelaide finished 8th in the A-League missing out on the finals. They have also lost their biggest star Nestory Irankunda as well as a handful of other key players such as Ibusuki, Halloran and Warland. The big question will be who will they sign before this match that can make an impact, otherwise Blacktown City will be looking to advance to the round of 16.
Our prediction: Blacktown 2 – 1 Adelaide (aet)
Rockdale Ilinden v Jets/Western United
Tough to call this one without knowing who their opponent will be just yet. However both A-League sides were basket cases last season so don’t expect anything amazing from them. It’s likely that whoever makes it through will play a youth team and look to rebuild for the season instead of trying in the cup. Both sides have lost a slew of players however notable Western picked up Ibusuki from Adelaide and Russell from WSW so they’d be the pick to go through. Rockdale on the other hand suffered one of their worst defeats in history, losing 9-0 to Marconi last night and having their coach sent off whilst 8-0 down. Despite this they are still sitting top of the table and have only dropped 3 games this season. Home ground advantage will also come in to the equation. Taking everything into consideration this could be a close game and could even go to penalties.
Our prediction: 1-1 draw, Rockdale win on pens
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NPL v A-League
After we’ve confidently (perhaps foolishly) predicted that all our sides will fight in the next round, let’s look at the matches involving A-League sides before we examine the rest. Remember, in these fixtures the member federation side will always be the host
O’Connor Knights v Macarthur
O’Connor is the sole ACT entrant this year, earning their way to this point by defeating Monaro Panthers 4-2 in round 7 of the prelims and Gunghalin 3-1 in round 6. They currently sit 2nd in the Capital Football NPL competition, level on points with Monaro but have a game in hand. Meanwhile Macarthur ended the season 5 and suffered a heavy loss to Sydney FC in the elimination round. Looking at transfers so far they have added Brattan and Marin Jakolis whilst losing a slew of players, including those caught up in the betting scandal. There is a big chance for an upset here as Knights can take advantage of facing a club in a bit of turmoil, and away games to Canberra are never easy for clubs.
Our prediction: Flip a coin in extra time, Knights 2-1 Macarthur
Brisbane City v Western Sydney Wanderers
This could be the game of the round, but for all the wrong reasons. Brisbane City are sitting 8th in their competition, struggling to put wins together and Wanderers finished outside the finals, lost their coach and some high profile players and are rebuilding for the 20th time in the last 10 years. It wasn’t all easy for Brisbane to make it to this stage with some good wins against some good opposition in the preliminary rounds and Wanderers have been known to fall to NPL opposition in the cup. It will come down to how seriously the A-League side takes the game however with Staj rumoured to be joining the coaching staff, he may take the cup seriously as a chance to make it to Asian football.
Our prediction: Brisbane City 2-3 Wanderers
Heidelberg United v Central Coat Mariners
Both teams who love to wear yellow. Bergers have bounced back somewhat this season, hanging around the top 4 on the table although having some inconsistent form at the moment. They thumped Bentleigh and Altona in the prelims to make it to this round however so they’ll be putting up quite a fight. However when your fight is against the team that completed a treble, we’re not sure how long that fight will last. They will certainly have their work cut out for them, with the only notable losses for Mariners being Barcellos and Reec finishing their loans and Vukovic deciding to finally hang up the boots. We expect Mariners to make easy work as they search for their 4th trophy of the year.
Our prediction: Heidelberg 0-4 Mariners
Oakleigh Cannons v Sydney FC
First off; bring back this logo you cowards
Secondly, Oakleigh are having a strong season sitting in third place in Victoria however they have lost consecutive league games to both Dandenong sides. Perhaps they were focused on the cup in which case we will give them a pass. You may recall in 2022 Oakleigh defeated Sydney FC in the quarter finals 2-1 in normal time, and will be looking to do it all again this year. Meanwhile Sydney FC made the finals losing to eventual winners Mariners, however in some controversy. They have also lost a number of players including Mak, Brattan and Gomes. This will be a tough game for the A-League side, and we’re going to back Cannons to get their second cupset.
Our prediction: Oakleigh 2-1 Sydney
South Melbourne v Wellington Phoenix
Oceania club of the century v the Nux, can we call this a local derby? South Melbourne are dominating the Victorian competition and have a lot to prove being one of the bigger names entering the NST next year. They knocked off St Albans and Preston Lions on their way to the round of 32 and will be looking to take in quite a bit of momentum to their game. Meanwhile Wellington will be making the tough trip across the ditch looking to build on a strong finish to their season in where they came close to making the final. Losing star players such as Zawada and Paulsen will hurt their chances here no doubt, which is why we’re backing another cupset.
Our prediction: South Melbourne 3-1 Wellington
Lambton Jaffas v Melbourne Victory
Two of the most unserious names in Australia football, there we said it.
Nonetheless, Lambton are leading in NNSW NPL only dropping points to 10th placed New Lambton (yes different clubs) in a 1-1 draw. Notably they had to get past Broadmeadow Magic in round 7 of the preliminaries to make it to this point. Meanwhile Melbourne Victory are coming off the back of a grand final defeat, losing their coach and too many players to name as they look to rebuild. No NNSW team has achieved a cupset yet and this year will be no exception.
Our prediction: Lambton 0-3 Victory
Brisbane Roar/Perth Glory v Melbourne City
The only all A-League game in this round. Hard to pick a winner out of the play-off, but let’s go with Glory assuming their new owner is looking for immediate success. The winner has to play Melbourne City anyway who would be our pick to go through, not that it matters as we’d prefer to see NPL sides beating A-League.
Our Prediction: Glory 1-3 City
Member Federation Matches
The exciting games where member federation sides are guaranteed through to the round of 16. There’s not many of them, so let’s enjoy them.
Moreton City Excelsior v Campbelltown City SC
Formerly known as Moreton Bay United, Excelsior will host SA side Campbelltown City. Moreton have had a run of games recently, with 13 points from their last 5, and getting past Gold Coast United in round 7 of their prelims. Campbelltown City on the other hand sit 4th in their compeititon, only 2 points from top spot but have some inconsistent form as of late. Notably they defeated Adelaide Comets in round 7 of the prelims. This game could go either way but with home ground advantage and not having to travel, Moreton City should get the victory.
Our prediction: Moreton City 3-1 Campbelltown City
Perth Redstar v Queensland Lions
The Perth side sit second on the table, only losing 2 games so far this season and are only 1 game behind top spot. They defeated Sorrento 2-1 aet and Rockingham 3-0 prior to make it to this round, and will fancy their chances in hosting the Queensland side of Lions. Lions also sit 2nd in their competition, 6 points off top spot but are enjoying a great run of form with 4 wins on the trot. It’s fair to say they enjoyed an easier path with the only difficult obstacle being Peninsula Power in round 5, but with the travel to Perth, we have to give this one to the home side.
Our prediction: Redstar 3-0 Lions
Melbourne Srbija v Modbury Jets
Melbourne plays in NPL Victoria 3 and are the lowest entrant into the round of 32 this year, with all other member federation sides being in their respective NPL 1 competitions. They’re sitting 2nd on the table only on goal difference and made it to this stage be beating a handful of teams, their toughest opposition being Kingston City in the division above, the rest of the teams play in lower divisions. Meanwhile Modbury sit top of the table in the SA NPL but have had a drop in form as of late. Notably they defeated Adelaide Olympic and Croydon in the preliminary rounds. This is a potentially tough game to call, Srbija with the home ground advantage may give them a slight edge, but Modbury has the quality to get it done.
Our prediction: Srbija 1-2 Jets aet
Olympic Kingsway v Edgeworth Eagles
Kingsway are the second entrant from WA, sitting 1st in the NPL with only 1 loss to their name so far this season. That loss was a 5-1 defeat away at Bayswater in the second round. Kingsway had to get past Perth SC and Western Knights to make it this far and are in with a decent chance to continue their cup run. Edgeworth of course are no strangers to the cup however are only sitting 4th on the table. They managed to get past Newcastle Olympic and Charlestown Azzuri however, so we won’t discount them just yet. Another tight game to call and it should be a thrilling match.
Our prediction: Kingsway 1-2 Edgeworth
Darwin Hearts v Hume City
Finally we’re at the last match of the round. Darwin obviously being the sole entrant for the NT, they sit 2nd in the NorZone Premier League and defeated Verdi and Darwin Olympic in the last two rounds of the preliminaries to make it this far. Hume City make another cup appearance and according to the stats are one of the better teams that have played in the cup with 7 wins in total. 5th in the NPL and defeated Caroline Springs in round 7 to make it this far. A tough trip to Darwin away, but they should return to Victoria with another win and an entry into the round of 16.
Our prediction: Hearts 0-4 Hume City
And there we have it! All 16 games getting a small preview with our predictions. Games will be played from Tuesday 30 July through til Sunday 11 August and will be broadcast on 10 Play live and free.
What are your predictions for the cup? Will we see any wonder strikes? Players having a breakout cup and get signed to an A-League side? Another NPL side making the final? Let us know in the comments!