Australia Cup: Full preview of all 32 teams, history, fixtures, players to watch, top scorers
Over 700 hopeful clubs have been narrowed down for the Australia Cup Ro32. Check out everything you need to know about all 32 teams ahead of kick-off on Tuesday.
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Football is back with the Australia Cup Round of 32 just around the corner.
Five clubs from Victoria, four each from NSW and Queensland, two from Western Australia, Northern NSW and South Australia and one each from the ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory now joined by 10 A-League Men clubs to make up the final rounds.
Eight clubs are set to host ALM teams with plenty of budding stars ready to make their mark on the national stage.
Ahead of kick-off on Tuesday, we’ve put together everything you need to know about each club including fixtures, previous appearances and players to watch.
Moreton City Excelsior vs. Campbelltown City SC
Tuesday 30 July 7pm at Walter Park, Albany Creek
Moreton City Excelsior
Association: Football Queensland - NPL Queensland
Coach: Cameron Millar
Current league position: 2nd
Previous round of 32 appearances: 2 (2017, 2022) (as Moreton Bay United)
Memorable Cup moment: Moreton Bay United had a Cup classic in 2017 in their Round of 32 match against Broadmeadow Magic. A late converted penalty by the Magic sent the match to extra time, where Paul Mikula and Cameron Smith each scored incredible headers to secure Moreton Bay’s progression 4-2.
Notable players: 2017 Round of 32 hero Declan Smith will be leading the club in their first Cup appearance as Moreton City Excelsior.
Campbelltown City SC
Association: Football South Australia - NPL SA
Coach: Michael Matiricciani
Current league position: 3rd
Previous round of 32 appearances: 2 (2019, 2023)
Best result: Campbelltown City upset the reigning Australia Cup champions, Macarthur FC, to progress to the Round of 16 for the first time.
Top league scorer: Marc Marino has been leading the scoring for Campbelltown City in the NPL SA.
O’Connor Knights SC vs. Macarthur FC
Tuesday 30 July 7:30pm at GIO Stadium, Canberra
O’Connor Knights SC
Association: Capital Football - NPL ACT
Coach: Miro Trninic
Current league position: 3rd
Previous round of 32 appearances: 2024 debut
Memorable moment: The Knights have been on a stellar run of form since being promoted to the top tier in 2022. They took out the 2023 premiership and held a 26-game undefeated run up until recently.
Macarthur FC
Association: A-League Men
Coach: Mile Sterjovski
ALM 2024 result: 5th
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 3 (2021, 2022, 2023)
Best result: Champions (2022)
Player to watch: The Cup will likely be former Sydney FC captain Luke Brattan’s first run out in Bulls colours. Brattan will be an experienced leader for a Bulls side trying desperately to overcome the betting scandal that marred the ALM finals series last season.
Darwin Hearts FC vs. Hume City
Tuesday July 30 7:30pm at Darwin Football Stadium, Marrara
Darwin Hearts FC
Association: Football Northern Territory - NorZone Premier League
Coach: Martinho Soares
Current league position: 2nd
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 2024 debut
Top league goalscorer: Deng Jok has seven goals for Hearts in his 11 matches this season.
Hume City FC
Association: Football Victoria - NPL Victoria
Coach: Cameron Watson
Current league position: 3rd
Previous round of 32 appearances: 5 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021)
Best result: Semi final (2015)
Memorable Cup moment: Hume City had an impressive Cup run in 2015, making it all the way to the semi-finals before being knocked out by Melbourne Victory, but their Round of 32 clash against Brisbane Strikers was a Cup classic. Level at 2-2 at full time, the match went into extra time where an extra goal to each team seemed to be sending the game to penalties. That was before a defensive blunder from the Strikers resulted in an own goal and a 4-3 victory for Hume City in front of a crazed home crowd.
Notable players: Hume have plenty of former A-League talent in their squad, including skipper and former Mariners player Josh Bingham. Defender Harry Ascroft also featured for the Mariners from 2015-17, while keeper Michael Weier had a short stint with Newcastle Jets.
Oakleigh Cannons FC vs. Sydney FC
Tuesday July 30 7:30pm at the Home of the Matildas, Bundoora
Oakleigh Cannons FC
Association: Football Victoria - NPL Victoria
Coach: Chris Taylor
Current league position: 5th
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 3 (2015, 2022, 2023)
Best result: Semi finals (2022)
Memorable Cup moment: The Cannons pulled off a massive upset during their 2022 run, downing ALM side Sydney FC 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Wade Dekker opened the scoring after just six minutes before Chris Lucas doubled their lead before half time. Adrian Segecic got one back for Sydney after the break but it was too late.
Sydney FC
Association: A-League Men
Coach: Ufuk Talay
ALM 2023 result: 4th
Previous round of 32 appearances: 9 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Best result: Champions (2017, 2023)
Blacktown City FC vs. Adelaide United
Wednesday July 31 7:30pm at Landen Stadium, Seven Hills
Blacktown City FC
Association: Football NSW - NPL NSW
Coach: Mark Crittenden
Current league position: 4th
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 5 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021)
Best result: Quarterfinals (2016, 2017)
Top league goalscorer: Jak O’Brien has been making a shock run at the golden boot this season, with 16 goals so far.
Adelaide United
Association: A-League Men
Coach: Carl Veart
ALM 2024 result: 8th
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 9 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Best result: Champions (2014, 2018, 2019)
Player to watch: Dylan Pierias will be a key player for an Adelaide United side desperate to re-find their form. The Reds are one of the best Cup sides in it’s recent history and Pierias will be an interesting addition.
Brisbane City FC vs. Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Wednesday July 31 7:30pm at Imperial Corp Stadium, Newmarket
Brisbane City FC
Association: Football Queensland - NPL Queensland
Coach: TBA
Current league position: 8th
Previous round of 32 appearances: 1 (2022)
Best result: Ro16 (2022)
Memorable Cup moment: Sam Sibatuara scored one of the best goals in the Cup’s history as Brisbane City took down Cockburn City FC in the 2022 Round of 32. Level at 1-1 midway through the second half, Sibatuara scored a brilliant strike from just outside the box to give Brisbane City their first lead of the game.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Association: A-League Men
Coach: Alen Stajcic
ALM 2024 result: 7th
Previous round of 32 appearances: 8 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)
Best result: Semi finals (2017, 2018)
Player to watch: The recent signing of Bozhidar Kraev is a massive boost for the Wanderers, who are currently in a period of transition. Kraev was one of the stars of the Wellington Phoenix’s successful 2023-23 campaign and will be a key component of the Wanderers’ new look.
Rockdale Ilinden FC vs. Newcastle Jets
Wednesday July 31 7:30pm at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Rockdale Ilinden FC
Association: NPL NSW
Coach: Paul Dee
Current league position: 1st
Previous round of 32 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. 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.
Newcastle Jets
Association: A-League Men
Coach: Rob Stanton
ALM 2024 result: 10th
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 8 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
Best result: Quarterfinal (2019)
Player to watch: Coach Rob Stanton has made a heap of impressive signings in the offseason, with the biggest coup being Lachlan Rose moving from Macarthur FC. Rose was an inaugural player for the Bulls and was already impressive in their playoff match against Western United.
Perth Redstar FC vs. Lions FC
Wednesday July 31 8:30pm at Percy Doyle Reserve, Duncraig
Perth Redstar SC
Association: Football West - NPL WA
Coach: Callum Salmon
Current league position: 2nd
Previous round of 32 appearances: 1 (2021)
Best result: Ro32 (2021)
Top league scorer: Daryl Nichol is well in the golden boot race with 14 goals so far this season.
Lions FC
Association: Football Queensland - NPL Queensland
Coach: Darren Sime
Current league position: 3rd
Previous round of 32 appearances: 4 (2015, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Best result: Ro16 (2015, 2018, 2021)
Memorable Cup moment: Lions FC produced a Cup classic in 2018 when they took on fellow Queensland NPL side Olympic FC in the Round of 32. Lions let a 2-0 lead slip and looked to be heading to extra time when Carter Glockner scored the winner, despite Olympic off-side protests.
Perth Glory FC vs. Melbourne City FC
Saturday August 3, 7:30pm at HBF Park, Perth
Perth Glory FC
Association: A-League Men
Coach: David Zdrilic
ALM 2024 result: 12th
Previous round of 32 appearances: 6 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Best result: Runners-up (2014, 2015)
Player to watch: Nathanael Blair joined Perth as a highly regarded striker, having made a big splash in the NSW NPL with Western Sydney Wanderers. He scored his first goal for the Glory in their 4-2 playoff win over Brisbane and will be one to watch for the future.
Melbourne City FC
Association: A-League Men
Coach: Aurelio Vidmar
ALM 2024 result: 6th
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 9 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Best result: Champions (2016)
Player to watch: Teenager Medin Memeti recently signed his first professional contract with City. He makes the move from the club’s Academy and has experience with the Young Socceroos.
Lambton Jaffas vs. Melbourne Victory FC
Tuesday August 6 7:30pm at Mclaughlan Oval, Edgeworth
Lambton Jaffas FC
Association: Northern NSW Football - Northern NSW NPL
Coach: David Tanchevski
Previous round of 32 appearances: 1 (2016)
Memorable Cup moment: The Lambton Jaffas have only one appearance in the Round of 32, going down to Victorian NPL club Devonport City in 2016.
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.
Melbourne Victory FC
Association: A-League Men
Coach: Patrick Kisnorbo
ALM 2024 result: 3rd (runners-up)
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 8 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
Best result: Champions (2015, 2021)
Player to watch: The Victory secured ALM champion Jing Reec in the offseason, who brings lots of energy and plenty of potential.
South Melbourne FC vs. Wellington Phoenix FC
Tuesday August 6, 7:30pm at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
South Melbourne FC
Association: Football Victoria - NPL Victoria
Coach: Esteban Quintas
Current league position: 1st
Previous round of 32 appearances: 3 (2015, 2017, 2021)
Memorable Cup moment: Although South Melbourne made it to the quarterfinals in 2017, their most memorable match was their 2017 Round of 32 loss to Gold Coast City. With scores locked at 1-1 at the end of extra time, the match was forced into penalties. It was a tense back and forth with Gold Coast keeper Shane Viitakangas the hero, saving two penalties to boot South Melbourne out of the competition.
Wellington Phoenix
Association: A-League Men
Coach: Giancarlo Italiano
ALM 2024 result: 2nd
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 9 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
Best result: Semi-final (2021)
Player to watch: The Phoenix have gone through a lot of change for the new season, losing some key players and setting themselves up for another championship charge. New signing Paulo Retre brings a tonne of experience to a relatively young side and will likely have his first stint in yellow and black in the Cup.
FC Melbourne Srbija vs. Modbury Jets SC
Tuesday August 6 7:30pm at the Home of the Matildas, Bundoora
FC Melbourne Srbija
Association: Football Victoria - Victorian Premier League 2
Coach: Zelijko Popovic
Current league position: 1st
Previous round of 32 appearances: 2024 debut
Memorable moment: FC Melbourne Srbija’s Australia Cup debut continues an impressive 12-months for the VPL2 club. The club took out the State League 1 South East title to cement their return to the VPL after a 20-year absence and currently sit at the top of the VPL2 ladder.
Modbury Jets SC
Association: Football South Australia - NPL SA
Coach: Maurice Natale
Current league position: 1st
Previous round of 32 appearances: 1 (2022)
Best result: Ro16 (2022)
Top scorer: Francesco Schimizzi and Hamish McCabe have been leading the scoring for the Jets in the NPL SA this season, level on 13 goals a piece after 19 matches.
Olympic Kingsway SC vs. Edgeworth Eagles FC
Tuesday August 6 8:30pm at Kingsway Reserve, Madeley
Olympic Kingsway SC
Association: Football West - NPL WA
Coach: David Tough
Current league position: 1st
Previous round of 32 appearances: 2024 debut
Top scorer: Joseph Knowles has been leading the scoring for Olympic Kingsway in the NPL with 11 goals so far this season, while Liam Boland is trailing with eight.
Edgeworth FC
Association: Northern NSW NPL
Coach: Peter McGuinness
Current league position: 3rd
Previous round of 32 appearances: 5 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023)
Best result: Ro16 (2016, 2019)
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).
Heidelberg United vs. Central Coast Mariners FC
Wednesday August 7, 7:30pm at Olympic Village, Heidelberg West
Heidelberg United FC
Association: Football Victoria - NPL Victoria
Coach: John Anastasiadis
Current league position: 4th
Previous round of 32 appearances: 5 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023)
Memorable Cup moment: Heidelberg United became just the fourth member club to take down an A-League side when they downed Perth Glory 1-0 in the 2017 Round of 32. Around 3,000 fans in the stand erupted as Kenny Athiu found the back of the net at the start of the second half, with Heidelberg able to hold back the Glory for an incredible upset.
Notable players: 2023 A-League Men’s champion Yaren Sözer will be between the sticks for Heidelberg, while former Melbourne Victory man Nathan Konstandopoulos features in the midfield. Victorian football veteran Adrian Zahra will lead the side, having featured in four of the team’s five Cup appearances.
Central Coast Mariners FC
Association: A-League Men
Coach: Mark Jackson
Previous Round of 32 appearances: 9 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Best result: Runners-up (2021)
ALM 2024 result: Premiers and Champions
Player to watch: The Mariners are always an interesting team to watch in the Australia Cup, due to usually being one of the most drastically changed teams from the end of the A-League season and their use of younger players. They have quite a few players that may make their debut at the Cup, including midfielder Diesel Herrington and new goalie Adam Pavlesic.
NWS Spirit FC vs. Glenorchy Knights FC
Wednesday August 7, 7:30pm at Christie Park, North Ryde
NWS Spirit FC
Association: NPL NSW
Coach: David Perkovic
Current league position: 11th
Previous round of 32 appearances: 1 (2022)
Best result: Ro32
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
Glenorchy Knights FC
Association: Football Tasmania - NPL Tasmania
Coach: James Sherman
Current league position: 1st
Previous round of 32 appearances: 2024 debut
Top league scorer: Stefan Cordwell is well in the golden boot race for NPL Tasmania with 12 goals after 14 rounds.
Olympic FC vs. APIA Leichhardt FC
Wednesday August 7, 7:30pm at Goodwin Park, Yeronga
Olympic FC
Association: Football Queensland - NPL Queensland
Coach: Chris Grossman
Current league position: 7th
Previous round of 32 appearances: 3 (2014, 2018, 2019)
Best result: Ro16 (2014, 2019)
Top league goalscorer: Cyrus Dehmie has been leading the goals for Olympic in the NPL with eight so far this season, with Daniel Leck close behind with six.
APIA Leichhardt FC
Association: Football NSW - NPL NSW
Coach: Franco Parisi
Current ladder position: 3rd
Previous round of 32 appearances: 4 (2017, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Memorable Cup moment: 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 the latest in the 2021 Round of 32 with a 2-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers. Coach Franco Parisi lined up for both matches as a player, recording an assist for Nathan Millgate for the team’s third 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.
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Originally published as Australia Cup: Full preview of all 32 teams, history, fixtures, players to watch, top scorers
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