Australia Cup: Fixtures, history and players to watch for six NSW and Northern NSW Ro32 teams
NSW teams have provided Cup-sets, historic runs and future stars at the Australia Cup. Check out all you need to know ahead of the Round of 32, kicking off July 30.
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NSW teams have a storied history in the Australia Cup.
From Sydney United 58’s grand final run in 2022 to APIA Leichhardt’s A-League upsets in 2018 and 2021.
APIA Leichhardt, Blacktown City, NWS Spirit and Rockdale Ilinden are set to represent Football NSW in the 2024 Round of 32, while Edgeworth Eagles and Lambton Jaffas are back for Northern NSW Football.
Ahead of kick-off for the Round of 32 on July 30, check out all the fixtures, history and players to watch from all six NSW clubs.
APIA Leichhardt FC
Association: Football NSW
Coach: Franco Parisi
2024 Round of 32 match details: vs. Olympic FC (Football Queensland) 7:30pm Wednesday August 7 at Goodwin Park, Yeronga
Previous Ro32 appearances: 4 (2017, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Memorable Cup moments: APIA Leichhardt were the first NPL team to record two wins over A-League opposition. The first came in 2018 where they picked up a tense 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory in the Round of 16, with Tasuku Sekiya recording a brace and Nathan Millgate scoring the matchwinning goal. The latest in the 2021 Round of 32 with a 2-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers with goals to Jason Romero and Tynan Diaz. Coach Franco Parisi lined up for both matches as a player, recording an assist for Millgate for the game-winning goal in 2018.
Notable players: Brothers Sean and Josh Symons have featured in all four of APIA’s Cup campaigns, with Sean even scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 round of 32 win over Olympia Warriors.
Blacktown City FC
Association: Football NSW
Coach: Mark Crittenden
2024 Round of 32 match details: vs. Adelaide United (A-League Men) 7:30pm Wednesday July 31 at Landen Stadium, Seven Hills
Previous Ro32 appearances: 5 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021)
Memorable Cup moment: Blacktown City have plenty of experience in the Cup, but their most memorable match was their 2017 Cupset over a slumping Central Coast Mariners. Joey Gibbs scored the opener in the second minute and sealed the victory in the 82nd, with goals to Giorgio Speranza for Blacktown and Kwabena Appiah for the Mariners in between. The side made it all the way to the quarterfinals that year, falling in penalties to the Wanderers.
Notable players: Jak O’Brien has been a scoring machine for Blacktown this season and plays alongside his brother Nick. Skipper Mario Shabow has A-League experience with the Wanderers, Newcastle Jets and the Mariners.
NWS Spirit FC
Association: Football NSW
Coach: David Perkovic
2024 Round of 32 match details: vs. Glenorchy Knights FC (Football Tasmania) 7:30pm Wednesday August 7 at Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Previous Ro32 appearances: 1 (2022)
Memorable Cup moment: The Spirit’s only previous Cup appearance was a disappointing one, going down to Queensland NPL side Peninsula Power 4-1 in the Round of 32. Now-captain Grant Cornwell scored the sole goal for the Spirit.
Notable players: Luiz Lobo is a national futsal player, making his Futsalroos debut in Thailand earlier this year.
Rockdale Ilinden FC
Association: Football NSW
Coach: Paul Dee
2024 Round of 32 match details: vs. Newcastle Jets/Western United (A-League Men playoff) 7:30pm Wednesday July 32 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Previous Ro32 appearances: 2 (2015, 2018)
Memorable Cup moment: Rockdale Ilinden had an almost perfect Cup debut when they defeated Football West side Perth SC in the 2015 Round of 32. The team netted three impressive goals and almost had a clean sheet, but a late penalty conversion left the scores at 3-1.
Notable players: Rockdale skipper Alec Urosevsi has featured in all three of the side’s Cup matches, in between stints at Sydney FC. Urosevski is also currently leading the NPL NSW golden boot race with 26 goals after 23 rounds. Another player to watch out for is Blake Ricciuto, who made his return to Rockdale this season after three years in Singapore. Ricciuto also has Cup experience, starting the 2018 loss to Sydney FC.
Lambton Jaffas FC
Association: Northern NSW Football
Coach: David Tanchevski
2024 Round of 32 match details: vs. Melbourne Victory FC (A-League Men) 7:30pm Tuesday August 6 at Jack Mclaughlan Oval, Edgeworth
Previous Ro32 appearances: 1 (2016)
Memorable Cup moment: The Lambton Jaffas have only one appearance in the Round of 32, going down 1-0 to Victorian NPL club Devonport City in 2016, with Jesse Dance scoring the only goal.
Notable players: Former Newcastle star Nikolai Topor-Stanley has remained in the Hunter, signing with the Jaffas in 2023 and brings plenty of Australia Cup experience to his new side. Another former A-League player from down the M1, Ben Kennedy, will also be between the sticks in the Round of 32.
Edgeworth Eagles FC
Association: Northern NSW Football
Coach: Peter McGuinness
2024 Round of 32 match details: vs. Olympic Kingsway (Football West) 8:30pm Tuesday August 6 at Kingsway Reserve, Madeley
Previous Ro32 appearances: 5 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023)
Memorable Cup moments: Despite their five finals appearances, the Eagles haven’t been able to get past the Round of 16. They made it to the next round of two occasions in 2016 and 2019 but were knocked out by A-League clubs each time (Western Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle Jets respectively).
Notable players: Tyson Jackson, Keanu Moore and Pat Wheeler all featured for the Eagles in their 2019 Cup run. Seth Clark is currently leading the Eagles’ goal tally with nine so far this NPL season.
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Originally published as Australia Cup: Fixtures, history and players to watch for six NSW and Northern NSW Ro32 teams
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