NWS Spirit celebrate advancement to the Round of 16, surrounded by club juniors. Photo: Poletti

As the Round of 32 drew to a close, Heidelberg stole the show with an extra-time Cupset over the A-League Men Champions, while in freezing conditions NWS Spirit defeated Cup debutants Glenorchy Knights, and APIA Leichhardt bowed out for the first time in the Round of 32.

Heroic Heidelberg upset the A-League Men champions

In a clash that pitted one of NPL Victoria’s finest against the reigning A-League Men Champions, it was the underdogs Heidelberg United who stole the show with a production of breathtaking courage and skill, truly showcasing the magic that the Cup can ignite, defeating the Central Coast Mariners.

Josh Pin opened the scoring, ending a goal drought that stretched back to June, converting a penalty in the 43rd minute to give his side a shock lead going into the break.

The second half witnessed a relentless siege by the A-League champions as they sought to restore parity and their persistence was rewarded when Mikael Doka found the equaliser, reigniting the contest. 

Yet, despite wave after wave of Mariners attacks, Heidelberg refused to yield. Defending with a desperation born of their underdog status, the Bergers held firm to force the match into extra time, where the drama was set to continue.

The additional thirty minutes mirrored the intensity of the preceding action with both sides desperate for a winner. 

It was to be Pin once again in the 104th minute scoring Heidelberg’s second and a third by Sean Ellis who would steal the spotlight with an 121st minute goal securing a historic victory (and a pitch invasion) for Heidelberg United. 

Heidelberg United manager, John Anastasiadis, who played for the club when he was just 18, mentioned this result as ‘his finest moment’ in his entire career.

“That first half was one of the best halves we’ve ever had,” Anastasiadis positively expressed.

“My boys showed that if you play our way and you don’t fear anyone, that you can beat anyone on the day.”

Heidelberg’s name will now be forever inked with one of the greatest Cupsets in Australia Cup history.

Ross Papadakis

Spirit freeze out Glenorchy at the Arctic Circle

For the first time in the competitions history, the Arctic Circle got to host Cup football as NWS Spirit hosted competition debutants Glenorchy Knights from Tasmania, with the home side emerging victorious 3-0.

The venue, known as Christie Park, has garnered quite a reputation amongst football circles for its chilly conditions with commentator Andy Harper remarking on the call that on his way to the venue he was wondering why it was called the Arctic Circle, before saying he got it less than 10 minutes into the match.

After a tense opening 25 minutes between the two sides, Michael Konnestabo would open the scoring with a tap-in at the far post, before Richard Darko would add a second in the 32nd minute, leaving David Perkovic’s side well in control of the match at the half-time break, although the Spirit coach was not entirely happy at the break.

“I wanted to make sure we kept to our standards and I felt like in moments in that first half, even though we scored two goals we were a bit tentative and we want to be more aggressive,” Perkovic said.

A 61st minute goal to Zachary Cianci would seal the result in favour of the home side, and send Spirit to the Round of 16 for the first time in the clubs history.

Perkovic remarked that it was a historic day for the club, noting it was a special ground for the side, and that they always back themselves at home. 

He also said his side would very much enjoy a Cup run, saying it would be awesome.

For Glenorchy, who marked their first time in the Round of 32 with a loss, coach James Sherman said that he thought his side gave a good performance for the majority of the game.

“We wanted to come up here and show what makes us a good team in our league, and we certainly saw elements of that,” Sherman said.

“I think we have to acknowledge when the score got to 3-0, the game state changes and Spirit allowed us a little bit more time on the ball. There were some opportunities there in the second half where we should have done a little bit better than we did.

“I’m a little bit flat but I’m also quite pleased for the players because we came up here and I think we put a good game on.”

Poletti

APIA disappoint as Olympic FC advance to Round of 16 for the third time

APIA Leichhardt’s flawless record in the Round of 32 came to an end, albeit after 120 minutes at Goodwin Park in Brisbane as Olympic FC progressed through to the Round of 16 and a clash with South Melbourne.

It was a far from clinical display from either side, with injuries and cards providing more of the talking points than much of the action with the ball.

APIA lost Josh Symons to a dislocated shoulder inside the first 30 minutes forcing a reshuffle in the backline, but despite this the NPL NSW side had the best of the opportunities in the first half.

In the second half the toll of travel started to show as Olympic were buoyed by a vocal home support driving them onwards, and it was only APIA keeper Dean Bouzanis who stood between the home side and an opening goal.

Bouzanis came up trumps on multiple occasions including defusing a Lathan Dunn 52nd minute effort and a dynamic leap to prevent a long range Linden Farr strike only minutes later.

With neither side able to break the deadlock in 90 minutes, it was Linden Farr who turned home town hero in the 96th minute with a calmly slotted goal beyond an outstretched Bouzanis.

Things then went from bad to worse for APIA as they lost Michael Kouta as he was given a second yellow card, falling to what appeared to be a cursed captains arm band for the visitors, going through four different leaders in the 120 minutes.

APIA fought hard and forced late saves from Olympic’s keeper in Matt Lugo including an incredible leaping parry in the 102nd minute to maintain a clean sheet, however it was to no avail as they finally tasted defeat in the Round of 32 for the first time on their fifth appearance, going down 1-0.

Chris Macpherson

Round of 16

Following the completion of the evening’s action, the draw for the Round of 16 took place, with the path to the final now clear for every side remaining.

There are two all-Victorian clashes with Oakleigh Cannons and Heidelberg United facing off, while Hume City will host VPL2 side FC Melbourne Srbija.

Adelaide United have to make a trip to Western Australia to face Olympic Kingsway, and with the Reds still lacking some clear defensive options, having to face a side that scored five goals in the Round of 32 is not ideal.

Christie Park will host its second ever match in the national stages of the competition as NWS Spirit welcome Melbourne Victory to the Arctic Circle, while the only all A-League Men clash in the Round of 16 sees the Newcastle Jets hosting Macarthur FC.

In a new format for the Australia Cup, the quarter-finals and semi-finals bracketing were also drawn following the Round of 16 draw.

Full Round of 16 draw

Match 1: Olympic Kingsway SC (Football West) v Adelaide United FC

Match 2: NWS Spirit FC (Football NSW) v Melbourne Victory FC

Match 3: Hume City FC (Football VIC) v FC Melbourne Srbija (Football VIC)

Match 4: South Melbourne FC (Football VIC) v Olympic FC (Football QLD)

Match 5: Oakleigh Cannons FC (Football VIC) v Heidelberg United FC (Football VIC)

Match 6: Lions FC (Football QLD) v Western Sydney Wanderers FC

Match 7: Moreton City Excelsior FC (Football QLD) v Perth Glory FC

Match 8: Newcastle Jets FC v Macarthur FC

Quarter Finals

QF 1: Winner of Match 2 v Winner of Match 7

QF 2: Winner of Match 8 v Winner of Match 5

QF 3: Winner of Match 1 v Winner of Match 6

QF 4: Winner of Match 3 v Winner of Match 4

Semi Finals

SF 1: Winner of Quarter Final 2 v Winner of Quarter Final 4

SF 2: Winner of Quarter Final 1 v Winner of Quarter Final 3

Poletti

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