The eighth edition of Australian football’s domestic cup competition will be played on Saturday night, with history the theme underpinning the match.
Sydney United 58 have been on a giant-killing run, disposing of two A-League clubs along the way to the final, and are now in search of a third top-tier scalp and the silverware that would come along with it.
In reality, it is a little tough to imagine such a result playing out; yet the same could potentially have been said in the lead up to their quarter-final and semi-final clashes with Western United and Brisbane Roar respectively.
Should one of the NSL’s most famous clubs manage to lift the trophy, history will be made, with Sydney United 58 a chance to become the first non A-League club inscribed on the cup: something that should be celebrated.
Macarthur FC are a completely different kettle of fish in many ways, yet are also taking a shot at the history books, with the chance for new manager Dwight Yorke to earn the club its first ever piece of silverware.
With little heritage, few fans and a pandemic causing all sorts of issues across their first two seasons in the A-League, the club did manage to defy many critics. The Bulls achieved mid-table finishes both seasons and after staying afloat longer than a few had suggested, will begin their third campaign next weekend when they face the Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
The cup looms as a brilliant starting point, where Macarthur’s excellent off-season recruitment could well bear fruit for the first time and be a pre-cursor to their most successful season to date.
Amongst others, Matthew Millar, Kearyn Baccus, Jonathan Aspropotamitis, Jerry Skotadis, Daniel Arzani, Georgian Bachana Arabuli and Barbadian international Mario Williams, have been brought into Yorke’s squad.
Added to names like Ulises Davila, Lachlan Rose, Craig Noone and Filip Kurto, it is clear that the manager will be playing with a full deck in the upcoming A-League season and a deck that on paper, should be able to manage the threat of Sydney United with ease.
However, cup play does funny things to hearts, minds and limbs; and history is littered with examples of cupsets that on the basis of logic, should not really have occurred.
Sydney United’s penalty shootout win against Western United in the quarter-final was one of those moments, and the same could be said of their toppling of Brisbane a month later, after they trailed early and looked likely to succumb to the emotional fatigue of the entire journey.
However, with substitutions vital, the extra-time triumph against a tiring Roar ignited plenty of passion and interest around the country, as a second-tier team continued to dare to dream.
Sydney will have to be prepared for plenty of defensive work, with Macarthur, like Brisbane back on September 11, almost certain to dominate possession and create more shots on goal.
The back four of Christian Gonzalez, Jordan Roberts, Adrian Vlastelica and Yianni Perkatis withstood a barrage against the Roar, with few errors made and brave defending late in the game was supported by superb goalkeeping from Danijel Nizic.
All of the above will be required against the Bulls, with Taisei Kaneko and Tariq Maia the men aiming to cause problems in the midfield and Patrick Antelmi and Devante Clut potentially providing the quality off the bench that seemed to surprise Brisbane.
There is no need to kid ourselves: Macarthur will enter the match as the firmest of favourites and bookies have their opposition paying $13 to win, odds that only Sydney United’s passionate fans will believe can be overcome.
The contest will be history-making whichever way it falls. The fairytale of Sydney United, potentially the greatest ever story in the domestic game, or a Macarthur win serving as a huge moment for a club that has been the brunt of many a joke whilst in its infancy.
Join me here on The Roar on Saturday night from 7.45pm (AEST) for live score updates and a commentary blog that will describe all the action, drama and tension.
My tip? Well, the Bulls should win it in a canter.
But this is cup football, and I have been known to get the odd tip wrong over the years!
Hoolifan
Guest
2 to 0 Macarthur FC to win. Put your house on it.
Cpaaa
Guest
Next article will be about the importance of the second division and the need to engage with existing clubs with history. This is a match that we have all been waiting for, its us V them, no matter which side of the fence you sit. Tonight will be a demonstration of a proper football atmosphere. FFA will thank Sydney United 58 for bringing in more fans through the gate than its fabricated opponent while quietly in the background are relieved that it wasnt WU ,Wellington or other. Sure there will be a few birthday candles in the stands which a few will find simply outrageous whilst others will watch and feel that warm feeling of years gone by. The stars are aligned for Sydney United 58........Kaman Far@kn
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Guest I would suggest the Australian cup would have broader appeal than the average NBL game. Granted, the NRL grand final might attract a tiny bit more interest.
Guest
Guest
LMFAO most people don't care about the Australia Cup the NBL starts tonight and the NRL GF is tomorrow and for those that do care about the Aus Cup those who arn't Croatian are supporting Marcathur for the simple fact that Sydney United 58 Active are Facists and the club refuse to do anyone about it
Brendan
Roar Pro
When Dwight Yorke victoriously lifts the Australia Cup tonight, then a unique coaching pathway could begin, filtering former English Premier League players to our scenic shores, & training as managers. By sharpening his craft in the A-League, Yorke has the chance to transform Campbelltown, by altering a bygone Rugby League area into a prosperous football hub. Situated 53 kilometres south-west of the main CBD, Macarthur FC offers the local region a fresh start, after a decade of failed promises by Wests Tigers.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Macarthur have been impressive, they have a lot speed and can exploit open spaces, the twin threats of Arzani and Toure running at defences, the quality of Davilla. Holman proved a real powerhouse in the midfield as well. Rose his hard running was great but missed a few opportunities. Yorke has brought in some foreign players now, does he do a Moon or Corica and start unfit players. I think they can be countered by a parked bus though. Sydney United their coach is crafty , fitness wise his squad isnt the best, and who knows how unfit they are now after the season end, actual talent he has quite a lot you have Payne, Clut players who lazed their way out of the A-league. Glen Trifiro the less talented of the Trifiros but a bit more hardy that his brother. Antelmi another potentially talented player who if he worked harder and was fitter could have done more with his career. I anticipate Sydney United parking the bus with the first 11 then on come their so called luxury players at the end.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
They have already sold 10,000 tickets which were all SU58 fans going by rumors its now up to the Bulls fans to buy into it. Lets hope they get 15k. If SU58 win i hope they will be up for playing in the AFC Cup?.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Macarthur showed in the semi, they're not ones to dilly dally with inferior opposition. Expect another three goal margin.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Winning the cup didn't help grow Melbourne City much. Hopefully it'll help Macarthur more than them if they win it. Although Macarthur came in during covid which wasn't the best way to start. But the weather might keep a few fans away tonight. A small crowd of just a few thousand at CommBank might not create the best look or atmosphere.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Certainly a great boost for the young club should they win it. Get those membership up which would be helpful.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I too think they might be a striker short. Might prove us wrong though.
Bendtner52
Roar Pro
An exciting match, has there ever been such a contrast in clubs? I think the whole country is behind Sydney Utd, and while my heart says they might win, my head says Macarthur and if such thing as a Macarthur fan exists, then they will be celebrating in Campbelltown
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Sydney United 58 are the firm favs for this match, so i might go for the underdogs in MacBulls to dick it.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Agree with your tip. The more I see and hear Dwight York as coach, the more impressed I am. I have said before – he is the signing of the season and we are probably seeing the beginning of a great coaching career. I will be there tonight and I will be cheering on Macarthur. The fact they haven’t been able to grow their supporter base still surprises me, so hopefully if they win this competition it will help. There are a lot of football players in the Macarthur region and it is crying out for a successful team that actually regularly plays at Campbelltown Stadium. They have again assembled a good squad (they probably lack a striker) and have exciting players such as De Silva, Noone, Davila and Arzani. Their defence and goal keeper look good and Rose is a crowd favourite – they have a team that can excite. They now need management to do everything they can to sell this team to the public. I’m not sure the stadium choice was a good one as I anticipate many empty seats. Hopefully I am wrong.