Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors.
Sydney United 58 are one win away from one of Australian football’s greatest ever Cinderella stories when they take on A-League side Macarthur FC in the Australia Cup final. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 7:45pm (AEST).
For the first time in Australian football’s freshly rebranded knockout competition, a team from outside the A-League ranks will take its shot at history.
Now in its eighth edition, the cup brings over 700 Australian clubs together for the right to compete for the most open piece of silverware in the domestic game.
United 58 have a rich and storied history, with a long line of Socceroos and NSL stars having plied their trade under the club’s former banner; Sydney United.
Now competing in the top tier of the NPL competition in NSW, the club has gone on a tear through recent rounds of the competition, and now finds itself in an unexpected final. Two A-League clubs have been swept aside along the journey, with Western United and Brisbane Roar falling to the giant-killers. A third win against top-flight competition tonight would be nothing short of stunning.
Macarthur FC will be looking to create their own piece of history, with new manager Dwight Yorke hoping to bring the club its first ever trophy.
The Bulls have enjoyed a fairly cruisy run to the final, with Wellington Phoenix their only A-League opposition, and previous matches have played out quite predictably in their favour.
Macarthur have talent all over the pitch, with Matthew Millar and Jonathan Aspropotamitis secure at the back, a mountain of options in midfield led by Ulises Davila and Kearyn Baccus, and Lachlan Rose in goal-scoring form up front. With Al Hassan Toure and Daniel Arzani certain to play a role, the task ahead for Sydney United is considerable.
Advertisement
For United, Giant gloveman Danijel Nizic starred against the Roar in the semi-final, Glen Trifiro produced some magic off the bench and Matthew Bilic and Patrick Antelmi also grabbed goals, proving that the part-timers can match it with the best in Australia.
However, this may well be the toughest test they have yet faced, and the Bulls are hungry for success under their new mentor.
Prediction
Against other A-League clubs, one could be tempted to side with the fairy tale story that is Sydney United. However, the Bulls look like a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming A-League season.
Davila to star and the Bulls to win 3-0.
Game information Venue: Commbank Stadium, Sydney Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEST) Live stream: Channel 10, Paramount+ Betting: Sydney United $14, Draw $6.25, Macarthur FC $1.20 – odds via PlayUp
Squads Sydney United Andreas Agamemnonos, Patrick Antelmi, Matthew Bilic, Kyle Cimenti, Devante Clut, Yianni Fragogianis, Cristian Gonzalez, Jordan Ivancic, Taisei Kaneko, Tariq Maia, Danijel Nizic (GK), Mihael Marcic, Chris Payne, Yianni Perkatis, Goran Palecek (GK), Adrian Vlastelica, Anthony Tomelic, Jordan Roberts, Glen Trifiro (c)
Advertisement
Macarthur FC Bachana Arabuli, Daniel Arzani, Jonathan Aspropotamitis, Kearyn Baccus, Anthony Carter, Edward Caspers, Ulises Davila (c), Daniel de Silva, Jed Drew, Jake Hollman, Isaac Hovar, Oliver Jones, Filip Kurto (GK), Jake McGing, Matthew Millar, Charles M’Mombwa, Moudi Najjar, Craig Noone, Alex Robinson (GK), Lachlan Rose, Jerry Skotadis, Nicholas Suman (GK), Aleksandar Susnjar, Al Hassan Toure, Tomislav Uskok, Ivan Vujica, Jesper Webber, Mario Williams
