The Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds have reached the pointy end across the respective Member Federations, with places in the Round of 32 intensifying.
Here is the current situation around the country heading into the final qualifying matches.
Isuzu UTE A-League
The top eight sides from the 2022/23 season have booked their place in the competitionwhich includes Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners, Adelaide United, Western Sydney Wanderers, Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix, Western United, and Brisbane Roar.
The bottom four sides will participate in the Australia Cup Final Rounds Playoffs which sees Perth Glory (9) face Macarthur FC (12), and Newcastle Jets (10) tackle Melbourne Victory (11).
Fixture details will be announced shortly.
New South Wales
We are up to the last eight as the Football NSW Preliminary Round 7 draw was recently conducted with the four winners advancing to the Australia Cup 2023 Round of 32.
There are six teams from NPL NSW with Sydney United 58 FC and NWS Spirit FC the only two clubs left who qualified for last year’s Final Rounds.
Inter Lions from FNSW League One will be eyeing a ‘cupset’ over Rockdale Ilinden FC, while the biggest shock is Northbridge FC, a side from the Northern Suburbs Football Association who have drawn Mt Druitt Town Rangers
The three sides who advance this week will be the first to join the already qualified top eight A-League Men's clubs.
All games will live streamed on NPL.TV.
New South Wales Preliminary Round 7 Fixtures
Wednesday, 31 May
7:30pm (local) – APIA Leichhardt FC v Sydney Olympic FC @ Lambert Park
7:30pm (local) – Inter Lions FC v Rockdale Ilinden FC @ Majors Bay Reserve
7:30pm (local) – Sydney United 58 FC v NWS Spirit FC @ Sydney United Sports Centre
Tuesday, 6 June
7:30pm (local) – Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC v Northbridge FC – Popondetta Park
Victoria
Victoria has again been allocated five slots for the 2023 edition of the Australia Cup. The five teams that advance from Preliminary Round 7 will punch their tickets to the Round of 32. One certainty is that a side from outside the NPL1 will be guaranteed a place with NPL2 side Northcote City FC facing MSL 2 squad FC Clifton Hill.
MSL1 side Yarraville FC will battle NPL heavyweights Melbourne Knights FC, after progressing via a penalty shootout last round. Moreover, NPL3 outfit Goulburn Valley Suns FC host NPL1 side Hume City, Geelong SC from NPL2 meet last year's Australia Cup semi-finalists Oakleigh Cannons FC, while it is an all NPL1 affair as Heidelberg United FC host St Alban Saints SC.
All remaining matches will be streamed via the Football Victoria and Australia Cup Facebook pages.
Victoria Preliminary Round 7 Fixtures
Queensland
NPL Powerhouses Redlands United FC and Lions FC will contest for a spot on the national stage in a huge clash. However, arguably the pick of the Preliminary Round 7 fixtures involves two NPL sides in strong league form with leaders Gold Coast United FC facing Moreton Bay United FC.
Bundaberg outfit Across the Waves FC square off against Edge Hill United FC from Cairns in a regional showdown on Saturday 10 June, with the winner taking on giants NPL1 side Gold Coast Knights FC for a spot in the final 32.
All matches will be streamed via Football Queensland's and Australia Cup's Facebook pages and FQTV.
Queensland Preliminary Round 7 Fixtures
Redlands United FC vs Lions FC
Moreton Bay United FC vs Gold Coast United FC
Yeronga Eagles FC vs Peninsula Power FC
Across the Waves FC OR Edge Hill United FC vs Gold Coast Knights
South Australia
The final four teams are set to battle it out for the two spots from South Australia. Three NPL SA sides remain in MetroStars SC, Campbelltown City SC and Croydon FC, while West Torrens Birkalla SC are the only side from State League One.
MetroStars have made three previous appearances in the Australia Cup Final Rounds with their last occurring in 2017. Campbelltown and Croydon have made just the one in 2019 and 2015 respectively.
South Australia Qualifying Finals – Service FM Stadium
West Torrens Birkalla SC vs MetroStars SC
Campbelltown City SC vs Croydon FC
All matches will be streamed via Football South Australia and Australia Cup Facebook pages.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, it is down to the last eight with the teams set to continue battling it out for the final two places.
League One side Fremantle City FC will be targeting a third straight scalp of an NPL side when they face Inglewood United FC.
Meanwhile, Cockburn City SC tackle division one outfit Gwelup Croatia SC.
Western Australia Preliminary Round 6 Fixtures – 6-8 June
Fremantle City FC v Inglewood United FC
Sorrento FC v Swan United FC
Cockburn City SC v Gwelup Croatia SC
Balcatta Etna FC v Floreat Athena FC
Western Australia Preliminary Round 7 Fixtures – 20-22 June
Fremantle City FC or Inglewood United FC v Sorrento FC or Swan United FC
Cockburn City SC or Gwelup Croatia SC v Balcatta Etna FC or Floreat Athena FC
Northern New South Wales
The Magic of the Cup is intensifying in Northern New South Wales as the two finalists will progress to the Australia Cup Round of 32.
Alstonville FC will face the winner of Newcastle Olympic FC or Valentine Eleebana Football Club.
Broadmeadow Magic FC will be aiming to qualify for the National stage of the competition for the 3rd consecutive year when they encounter Bangalow SC, whilst Maitland FC host Belmont Swansea United FC and Edgeworth Eagles FC take on Lambton Jaffas FC.
All Northern New South Wales matches will be live streamed on Bar TV.
Northern New South Wales Preliminary Round 6 Fixtures
Alstonville FC vs Newcastle Olympic OR Valentine Eleebana Football Club
Broadmeadow Magic FC vs Bangalow SC
Maitland FC vs Belmont Swansea United FC
Edgeworth Eagles FC vs Lambton Jaffas FC
Capital Football
The Capital Football Federation Cup will serve as the Qualifying match for the Canberra entrant into the Australia Cup between NPL clubs Canberra Croatia FC and Canberra Olympic FC scheduled for Saturday, 3 June.
Canberra Olympic FC has made two previous appearances in the competition, reaching the Semi-finals in 2016, while Canberra Croatia FC’s solitary outing occurred in 2018.
The Capital Football Qualifying Final will be live streamed via Bar TV.
Capital Football Qualifying Final
Canberra Olympic FC v Canberra Croatia FC Saturday, 3 June
Tasmania
Tasmania’s sole representative will be determined on Saturday, 10 June with the winner of the Milan Lakoseljac Cup securing a spot to the final 32.
Devonport City Strikers will face South Hobart FC in the decider for the fifth time in eight seasons after rallying from two-nil down to win 3-2 over Clarence Zebras FC, while South Hobart FC thumped second division side Hobart United 5-0.
The Tasmania Qualifying Final will be live streamed via Football Tasmania’s YouTube channel.
Tasmania Qualifying Final
Devonport City Strikers v South Hobart FC
Saturday, 10 June - 5pm (local)
Northern Territory
Last year's Australia Cup Northern Territory representative Mindil Aces FC take on Verdi FC, while Hellenic AC face University Azzurri.
All matches in the Northern Territory will be live streamed via Football NT’s Facebook page and YouTube channel as well as the Australia Cup Facebook page.
Northern Territory Preliminary Round 6 Fixtures
Mindil Aces vs Verdi FC
Hellenic AC vs University Azzurri
