Macarthur FC midfielder Jake Hollman. Photo: Texi Smith

The 2023 champions Sydney FC travelled to face an Oakleigh side who eliminated them in 2022 and felt déjà vu, Macarthur started slow before finishing strong against O’Connor Knights, and there were goals aplenty as Moreton City Excelsior and Hume City advanced in style on the first match day of the Australia Cup Round of 32.

The Cannons go boom: Oakleigh eliminate Sydney again

In what was arguably one of the most anticipated contests of this edition of the Australia Cup, Oakleigh Cannons once again defied the odds and defeated Sydney FC 3-1 to book their place in the Round of 16 of the Australia Cup. 

A rematch of their battle in 2022 proved to be even more captivating, with the underdogs once again showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess.

Deployed on the left wing, a rare position for him this season, Kingsley Sinclair opened the scoring for the Cannons in the 14th minute, a goal that was a reward for the Cannons’ high-press, which disrupted Sydney’s build-up play, and stunned the visitors while igniting the Oakleigh faithful.

Anas Ouahim, making his Sydney FC debut, equalised in the 25th minute with a comfortably retaken penalty after Nick Feely came off his line when making the initial save.

However, the Cannons refused to be denied. A brilliant well-timed finish at the near post from Asad Kasumovic saw them regain the lead in the 37th minute, sparking wild celebrations among the Oakleigh fans as they sensed a potential Cupset.

The second half was a tense affair, with both sides desperately battling to retain control of the game. In the end, it was Oakleigh who would have the final say, with Emlyn Wellsmore producing a moment of magic in the 74th minute to seal the victory and qualification into the Australia Cup Round of 16.

Under Rhyan Grant’s leadership for the first time, it was clear that the 2023 Cup winners lacked the attacking firepower in the form of Joe Lolley, who they came to know and love last season.

Ufuk Talay’s side also missed Luke Brattan’s presence in the squad, with two of Oakleigh’s goals coming from turnovers due to mistakes in the Sky Blues midfield. 

The Cannons now not only look ahead to the Round of 16 of the Australia Cup but this Saturday’s Dockerty Cup Final clash against South Melbourne.

Ross Papadakis

Macarthur comeback late against O’Connor Knights

It took until the second half for the action to heat up in a very chilly Canberra as O’Connor Knights hosted Macarthur at GIO Stadium.

Phakedi Manda opened the scoring from a set-piece, drawing a roar from the crowd as the Cupset appeared to be on with the visitors struggling to create any momentum until a well worked team move saw the Bulls go from one end of the pitch to the other with Macarthur’s 2023 player of the year Jake Hollman tucking the ball home to level the score.

The leveler allowed Macarthur to feel comfortable in the match, and the demeanor of the side appeared to change as a result, with Luke Brattan finding the back of the net in the Australia Cup for the first time since 2016 to make it 2-1.

Brattan, who made the move from Sydney FC to the Bulls in the off-season, showcased exactly why the club signed him. He slotted seamlessly into the midfield, controlling play with crisp passing and his trademark defensive attitude.

The biggest negative for Mile Sterjovski’s side is that it took them a long time to get into the game and use the talent at their disposal, but with multiple players making debuts and only a few weeks of pre-season under their belts, the slow start can be forgiven.

With 90 minutes in the legs of the players and a Round of 16 clash awaiting the 2022 Australia Cup champions, it will give Macarthur a chance to improve on this performance, and that could be a scary sight for whoever they draw.

For O’Connor Knights, they were valiant in defeat and had late opportunities to find an equaliser and force extra time, but ultimately fell short and now turn their attention back to league play.

The Canberra side are five points behind Gungahlin United with a game in hand and five rounds remaining in the season as they look to repeat their 2023 accomplishment of finishing as NPL Capital Football Premiers.

Poletti

Hume City hit Darwin Hearts for six

The literal tale of two halves as a spirited first 45 from the Territory representatives had the feel of Darwin Hellenic taking Wanderers to stoppage time in 2018.

Hearts could have led at the break with some more composure to finish some promising counter attacks but the deadlock saw both sides head in scoreless.

Despite a brief glimpse of hope to kick off the second half’s action, the disparity in ability soon showed as the Victorians hit their stride and the Territorians begin to fade.

A flurry of goals soon had Hume City humming and out to a three goal lead and despite Hearts making some changes, the goals continued to stack up throughout the second stanza.

Hearts had no answer for the prowess of Hume City up front, most notably Aamir Abdallah, who had two perfectly struck dipping left foot strikes from outside the 18 yard box and is one to watch in the Round of 16.

Unfortunately despite their promising start, Hearts fell to the same 6-0 score line as NT compatriots Hellenic Athletic (2023), Mindil Aces (2022), Casuarina FC (2021) & Shamrock Rovers (2016).

The result also extends the Territory’s unwanted record of failing to have a team progress to the final 16 of the competition since its inception.

Chris Macpherson

Party in the sunshine state as Moreton City advance

Moreton City Excelsior advanced to the Round of 16 in style, defeating Campbelltown City 5-1 at Wolter Park.

The home side did not allow City to settle into the game, finding their first goal just six minutes in through Rhys Gwynn-Jones before a Connor Centofanti own goal would make it 2-0 15 minutes later.

Marc Merino would get the visitors into half-time at 2-1, but it was only a temporary glimpse of hope for Michael Matricciani’s side, with three second half goals for Moreton City scored by Marquez Walters (two) and Zachary Kierpal, firmly sealing the result.

The NPL Queensland side will play in the Round of 16 for just the second time in club history after doing so in 2017, losing to Gold Coast City, and the first since changing its name from Moreton Bay United.

Before that, a key match-up with Gold Coast Knights in NPL Queensland awaits on Friday night.

Currently sitting in second, 10 points behind the Gold Coast Knights, a win would see them keep its faint title hopes alive, with any result for the Knights sealing their spot at the top of the table for a second consecutive season.

For City, they return to South Australia where they currently sit in third behind Modbury Jets and North Eastern MetroStars with two rounds remaining in the regular season.

With reports emerging in recent weeks that Matricciani is off to Melbourne City to coach its A-League Women side, he will be hoping to guide City to a Championship in the NPL SA Finals series.

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