Upsets continue in Australia Cup with Central Coast Mariners becoming another round-of-32 victim

The Australia Cup round-of-32 provided its fair share of upsets with prominent A-League clubs among the casualties.

Only six A-League clubs have progressed to the Australia Cup round-of-16, with treble winners Central Coast Mariners the latest major victims.

Having won last season’s A-League premiership-championship double, as well as tasting AFC Cup continental glory, the Mariners started as hot favourites to be NPL Victoria club Heidelberg on Wednesday night.

However, Heidelberg prevailed 3-1 in extra-time to send the Mariners packing.

Joshua Pin netted a double for the former National Soccer League club at Olympic Village, while Sean Ellis also scored for the winners.

The Mariners only goal came from their Brazilian star Mikael Doka.

“We know that they’re a top team but you’ve just got to take the moment, and take the chance you get,” Ellis said.

“We’re getting closer and closer to A-League (teams).”

Sean Ellis completes the cupset 🤩

The @HUFCWARRIOR legend finishes off a famous night at Olympic Park. How about the fake from Aidara 🥶

🎥 @10FootballAU#HEIvCCM#AustraliaCup#MagicOfTheCuppic.twitter.com/KD7eIMT33G

— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 7, 2024

Of the 10 A-League clubs that entered the Australia Cup at the round-of-32 stage, four – the Mariners, Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix – have already been eliminated,

Sydney and the Phoenix were also beaten by NPL Victoria opposition – Oakleigh Cannons and South Melbourne – while Melbourne City lost 5-4 to Perth Glory.

Two A-League clubs – Brisbane Roar and Western United – failed to qualify for the Cup after losing playoffs to the Glory and the Newcastle Jets respectively, while expansion outfit Auckland FC isn’t a part of the Cup this year.

An all-A-League battle between the Jets and Macarthur FC is the feature round-of-16 match.’

In other round-of-16 games involving A-League clubs, Adelaide United will travel to Perth to meet Olympic Kingsway, Melbourne Victory take on NWS Spirit in Sydney, Western Sydney Wanderers head to Brisbane play Lions FC, and Perth Glory also travel to the Queensland capital to meet Moreton City Excelsior.

In the three remaining round-of-16 battles, Hume City host Melbourne Srbija, Brisbane-based Olympic FC visit South Melbourne, and Oakleigh Cannons are at home against Heidelberg.