Preview: Australia Cup Round of 32 Matchday One

The 2022 Australia Cup Round of 32 is here with four intriguing ties to look forward to on opening night.

Clubs from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory will battle it out to become the first names in the hat for the last 16.

You can catch all the Australia Cup Final Rounds action live on 10 play.

FIXTURES: Australia Cup Round of 32 Fixtures
WATCH: Magic of the Cup Episode 1

Bentleigh Greens vs Broadmeadow Magic FC
Date: Thursday 21 July 2022
Time: 7:30pm AEST
Venue: Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

A pair of Australia Final Rounds regulars in Bentleigh Greens and Broadmeadow Magic go head-to-head at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex in Round of 32 action on Thursday night.

Bentleigh, who compete in the Round of 32 for a fifth time qualified courtesy of wins over Werribee City, Altona Magic, St Albans Saints and Banyule City.

Nick Tolios’ side currently sit fifth on the NPL Victoria standings and feature several former A-League players including Danny Kim, George Lambadaridis and Pierce Waring.

Broadmeadow will feature in the Round of 32 for a sixth time on Thursday night after defeating Mayfield United, Valentine FC, Coffs City United and Maitland in the Preliminary Rounds.

Damian Zane’s sides run to the Final Rounds was not without drama with a pair of goals in second half stoppage time after trailing 1-0 to Maitland in the final preliminary round sealing qualification.

Jacob Dowse, who sits third on the NPL Northern NSW goalscoring charts with eleven goals shapes as a key man for Magic, who are currently third on the league table.

Club in Focus: Bentleigh Greens
Club in Focus: Broadmeadow Magic

Opta Stats: #BGRvBMN

  • Bentleigh Greens SC picked up a 4-0 win against Broadmeadow Magic FC when they met in the Round of 16 at the 2018 Australia Cup, their only previous encounter at the tournament.
  • Bentleigh Greens SC will feature at their fifth Australia Cup Round of 32 and their first since 2018; they have won all four of their previous games at this stage of the competition.
  • Broadmeadow Magic FC have won only one of their six Australia Cup games at the Round of 32 or later, defeating Canberra Croatia 4-1 in 2018.
  • Eight of Bentleigh Greens SC’s last 10 goals at the Australia Cup have come in the second half of games, with five of those eight coming in the 80th minute or later.
  • Five of Broadmeadow Magic FC’s last six goals at the Australia Cup have featured either Kale Bradbury (2 goals, 2 assists) or John Majurovski (2 goals, 1 assist), including two goals which directly involved both.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles vs Oakleigh Cannons  
Date: Thursday 21 July 2022
Time: 7:30pm AEST
Venue: Bonnyrigg Sports Club  

Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Oakleigh Cannons go in search of a Round of 16 berth when they go head-to-head at Bonnyrigg Sports Club on Thursday night.

Bonnyrigg, who defeated St George, Bankstown City, Mounties Wanderers and Hakoah FC, winning three of their four qualifiers on penalties aim to maintain look to make it three wins from as many appearances at the Round of 32 stage.

The White Eagles, who are coached by Franco Cosentino sit ninth in the second tier NSW League One competition.

Oakleigh take part in the Round of 32 for a second time after qualifying with wins over Epping City, White Star Dandenong, Hume City and Melbourne Knights.

The Cannons, who currently sit second on the NPL Victoria table are coached by Chris Taylor who led South Melbourne to the Semi Finals in 2017.

Oakleigh’s come into Thursday’s match with a squad featuring several Australia Cup stalwarts who have starred for NPL clubs in the competition over the years including Chris Lucas, Tyson Holmes and Matthew Foschini.

Club in Focus: Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Club in Focus: Oakleigh Cannons

Opta Stats: #BWEvOAK

  • This will be the first meeting between Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC and Oakleigh Cannons FC in the Australia Cup and indeed it will be the first time that the White Eagles have faced a team from outside New South Wales in the competition.
  • Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC are set to feature at their third Australia Cup Round of 32 and their first since 2018; they have won two of their previous four games at the tournament.
  • Oakleigh Cannons FC will feature at the Australia Cup for the first time since 2015 when they won through to the Quarter Final before being defeated at the hands of Victorian rival Hume City FC.
  • Five of Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC’s six goals scored in the Australia Cup have come in the 59th minute or later, with Aaron Avery’s 19th-minute goal against Hakoah Sydney City East FC in 2018 their only first-half goal in the competition.
  • Rooney Do (Oakleigh Cannons FC) scored after just two minutes and eight seconds against Hume City FC at the 2015 Australia Cup in what was – at the time – the third-fastest goal in the tournament.

Mindil Aces vs Avondale FC
Date: Thursday 21 July 2022
Time: 7:30pm AEST
Venue: Darwin Football Stadium

First time Round of 32 entrants, Mindil Aces host Avondale in Australia Cup Final Rounds action at Darwin Football Stadium on Thursday night.

Mindil make their maiden Round of 32 appearance after wins over Darwin Heart, Hellenic Athletic and Casuarina saw them secure the Northern Territories sole spot in the Final Rounds.

Mindil are coached by Daniel McCormick and currently sit second on the Norzone NT Premier League standings.

Cayne McDowell who top scored for the Aces in qualifying shapes as a key figure on pitch if his side are to become the first from the Territory to win a Final Rounds match.

Avondale make the trip to the Territory for their third appearance in the Round of 32 after defeating South Melbourne, Kingston City, Essendon Royals and Brimbank Stallions in the Preliminary Rounds.

Zoran Markovski’s side occupy fourth position on the NPL Victoria table and feature a number of exciting stars amongst their squad including Liam Boland, Stefan Valentini and Gol Gol Mebrahtu.

Club in Focus: Mindil Aces
Club in Focus: Avondale FC

Opta Stats: #MINvAVN

  • This will be the first meeting between the Mindil Aces and Avondale FC in the Australia Cup; indeed, it will be the Mindil Aces’ first foray at the Round of 32 stage.
  • The Mindil Aces kept two clean sheets in their three preliminary round games of the 2022 Australia Cup, including one in their 2-0 win over Casuarina FC to clinch a place in the Round of 32.
  • Avondale FC will be playing their fifth game at the Australia Cup in the Round of 32 or later, having never kept nor conceded a clean sheet as part of the final 32 teams in the competition.
  • Avondale FC had a passing accuracy of 86% in the 2021 Australia Cup, the highest of any Member Federation team in the tournament.
  • Joseph Katebian (Avondale FC) scored a goal against Altona Magic SC in Matchweek 22 of the 2022 Victoria NPL, snapping a seven-game goalless stretch in the competition; he hasn’t scored in back-to-back games in that competition since June 2021.

Armadale SC vs Modbury Jets  
Date: Thursday 21 July 2022
Time: 8:30pm AEST
Venue: Alfred Skeet Oval

Armadale and Modbury Jets both aim to reach the Round of 16 for a first time when they go head-to-head at Alfred Skeet Oval on Thursday night.

Armadale qualified for the Round of 32 for a second time after defeating Gosnells City, Perth SC, Inglewood United and Bayswater City.

Armadale, who are coached by John O’Reilly sit seventh on the NPLWA ladder where Angel Andres Rivera has top-scored for the side from Alfred Skeet Oval with nine goals so far this season.

Modbury Jets become the first non-NPL side from South Australia when they booked their spot in the Round of 32 following wins over Tea Tree Gully City, South Adelaide, West Adelaide and Vipers FC.

Hamish McCabe top scored for the side from Smith Partners Stadium in a run that included a 'cupset’ victory over RAA NPLSA outfit South Adelaide.

The Jets currently sit top of the SA State League One ladder and are gunning for promotion as well as a deep cup run this season.

Club in Focus: Armadale SC
Club in Focus: Modbury Jets

Opta Stats: #ASCvMOD

  • Armadale SC and the Modbury Jets will face each other in the Australia Cup for the first time, with the Jets becoming the sixth member federation club from South Australia to reach the Round of 32 in the competition.
  • Armadale SC will play their second game at the Australia Cup after being skittled by Cairns FC 4-0 at the Round of 32 stage of the 2018 edition.
  • Modbury Jets scored four or more goals in four of their five games during the preliminary rounds of the 2022 Australia Cup, including a 4-1 win over Vipers FC to clinch a spot in the Round of 32.
  • Armadale SC have conceded 34 goals in the 2022 NPL Western Australia, the third-most of any team in the competition behind only Balcatta (36) and Gwelup Croatia (40).
  • Cooper Wegner (Modbury Jets) scored a brace of goals in the Jets’ 4-1 win against Vipers FC to progress to the Round of 32 of the 2022 Australia Cup, including one which came just seven

Australia Cup Round of 32 Fixtures - click here to see more