The final 2022 Australia Cup Round of 32 entrant will be decided on Saturday night when Edge Hill United host Magpies Crusaders United at Tiger Park (7pm AEST KO).
A home clash against Isuzu Ute A-League Men’s side Macarthur FC in the Round of 32 awaits the winner of Saturday’s Preliminary Round 7 tie.
READ MORE: Intriguing match ups confirmed as clubs get set for 2022 Australia Cup Final Rounds
FIXTURES: 2022 Australia Cup Round of 32 Fixtures
Edge Hill and Magpies Crusaders met at the same stage of the competition last season with Edge Hill running out 3-1 winners as a pair of Ryan Murray headers proved crucial for the side from Cairns to reach the Final Rounds.
Edge Hill, who became the first community club north of Brisbane to appear in the Final Rounds were defeated 2-0 by Gold Coast Knights in the Round of 32.
2021 Preliminary Round 7 Highlights: Magpies Crusaders 1-3 Edge Hill United
Edge Hill, who are three time reigning Premier and Champions in Far North Queensland sit fourth after five rounds of action so far this season.
The Tigers squad contains a number of ex-NPL players including Crios O’Hare, Joshua Taylor, Josh De Nittis, Ari Isman and Harry Corica – who is the nephew of Sydney FC Head Coach Steve Corica.
Edge Hill United Captain, Josh De Nittis said his side were hungry to secure back-to-back Round of 32 qualifications.
“The chance to play against the top teams in the state and country is what makes this competition so special,” De Nittis said.
“We’re looking forward to testing ourselves against top opposition.
“We showed last season we can compete, but we know it’s going to be a big challenge again, and we need to be at our best.
“Having a home tie is huge for the club, it will be great to host such a big game.”
Magpies Crusaders United have competed in the Final Rounds once before, reaching the Round of 16 in 2019.
The Mackay outfit defeated Coomera 2-1 in the Round of 32 before suffering a 4-0 defeat to Moreland Zebras in the last 16.
Magpies Crusaders United currently sixth in Queensland’s second tier FQPL 1 after 13 rounds of action.
Michael Lyall, who has topped for Mackay in the league with seven goals so far this season said his side were ready to give everything to reach the Round of 32.
“It means everything getting through to the Round of 32, doing our town proud and enjoying the ride as we go.” Lyall said.
“We’re looking forward to potentially getting to the Round of 32 and doing our town proud.
“Edge Hill will be a very tough test with some ex-NPL boys in the squad and we can’t take them lightly.
“We will have to be at our best on the night.”
You can catch all the action from Saturday’s match live and free on the Australia Cup Facebook page or My Football YouTube channel.
MATCH DETAILS
Australia Cup 2022: Preliminary Round 7: Edge Hill United v Magpies Crusaders United
Saturday, July 2 2022 (7pm AEST KO)
Tiger Park, Cairns
