The 2022 Australia Cup winners will be crowned on Saturday night when Sydney United 58 and Macarthur FC go head-to-head in the Final at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
United created history causing a string of cupsets to become the first NPL side to reach the final where they will face a free scoring Macarthur side who have netted a tournament high 17 goals en route to the decider.
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HOW TO WATCH: Australia Cup Final 2022
Miro Vlastelica’s side join NPL New South Wales rivals APIA Leichhardt as just the second Member Federation Club to defeat two A-League sides in the Australia Cup, capturing audiences around the country with wins against defending A-League Champions Western United and Brisbane Roar.
United, who were the only NPL New South Wales side to reach the Final Rounds also beat Monaro Panthers and Peninsula Power on their way to Saturday’s decider at CommBank Stadium.
Patrick Antelmi, who sits level with Liam Boland and Chris Lucas as the competition’s all-time highest scoring NPL players on ten goals has top scored for the side from Edensor Park in this season’s finals Round with two goals.
At the other end of the park goalkeeper, Danijel Nizic has starred with a number of crucial saves and penalty shoot-out heroics for a United side who pride themselves on their defensive stability.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sydney United 58
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH: Macarthur FC
Macarthur have the chance of lifting silverware for the first time in their short existence with former Aston Villa and Manchester United star at the helm in what is also his maiden professional coaching job.
The Bulls defeated Magpies Crusaders United, Modbury Jets, Wellington Phoenix and Oakleigh Cannons on their run to the final.
Al Hassan Toure has top scored for the Bulls with four goals, he sits level with Liam Boland and Joe Guest as this season’s top scorer.
Hot on their heels in the goalscoring department are Daniel Arzani and Lachlan Rose who have netted three apiece for the free-scoring Bulls, only Sydney FC have scored more goals in a single Australia Cup campaign (20 in 2017) than the Bulls 17 so far this season.
With thanks to Football Australia’s broadcast partner, Network 10, the Australia Cup 2022 Final will be shown LIVE and FREE across Australia on 10 Play, 10, and 10 Bold in Perth.
Opta Stats: #SUDvMAC
- This will be the first Australia Cup match between Sydney United 58 FC and Macarthur FC; the Bulls have a 100% winning record in the competition against member federation teams (4/4), outscoring their opposition 18-2 across those fixtures.
- Sydney United 58 FC will become the first member federation team to contest the final of the Australia Cup; they have logged two wins in the 2022 tournament against A-League Men teams (semi final – Brisbane Roar FC and Round of 16 – Western United FC) – APIA Leichhardt FC (W2 – 2021 v Western Sydney Wanderers FC and 2018 v Melbourne Victory) are the only other member federation side in the history of the competition to have logged more than one win in such fixtures.
- Macarthur FC will become the seventh different A-League Men team to contest the final of the Australia Cup (Adelaide United, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne City FC, Melbourne Victory, Perth Glory, Sydney FC).
- Macarthur FC have scored 17 goals in the 2022 Australia Cup, the joint-second most by any team in a single edition (also Melbourne Victory – 17 in 2015); only Sydney FC have scored more in a single campaign (20 in 2017).
- Sydney United 58 FC have conceded three goals in the 2022 Australia Cup, 4.6 fewer than their Expected Goals Against value suggests – the best performance by any team in the tournament in this category.
- Macarthur FC have forced 49 high turnovers in the 2022 Australia Cup, 13 more than any other team and 19 more than Sydney United 58 FC (30).
- Sydney United 58 FC have made 104 clearances in the 2022 Australia Cup, the most by any team and more than double the tally of Macarthur FC in this category (47).
- Daniel Arzani (Macarthur FC) has created 15 scoring chances in the 2022 Australia Cup, the most of any player and eight more than Sydney United 58 FC’s best (Christopher Payne – 7).
- Al Hassan Toure (Macarthur FC) has had 28 touches in the opposition box in the 2022 Australia Cup, the most of any player and 18 more than Sydney United 58 FC’s best (Christopher Payne – 10).
- Sydney United 58 FC duo Taisei Kaneko (57) and Jordan Roberts (57) have contested more duels than any other players in the 2022 Australia Cup.
What they said...
Sydney United 58 Head Coach Miro Vlastelica
"It's not going to be an easy game. It's a difficult challenge, but it's a one-off game, and anything happens on the day.
"... I nearly smashed my car, had to pull over like the phone rang and I had a coach ring me. I answered the phone and he said is that Miro and I go yeah. He goes it's Wayne. I'm trying to work out why who and I don't know any Wanye's. And he goes it's Wayne Bennett.
"So I was blown away. Like it's touched other codes. You know just to get best wishes from Wayne and you know, to congratulate us on what we've achieved it blew me away."
Sydney United 58 Captain Adrian Vlastelica
"I wouldn't say invincible but you know we're a close knit group at United. This my fifth year here now and we haven't had a lot of change in the team you know, few changes each year, but we're close bunch of boys but the belief in everyone is at a high now.
"Went behind a couple of games. But we just kept pushing and pushing and got rewarded with a final opportunity."
Macarthur FC Head Coach Dwight Yorke
"We know that this week was always going to be a little bit of a distraction somewhere along because we haven't been in this position as a club.
"We are relatively new to this sort of environment. But it's something that we embrace. Preparation has been extremely good. There's a real nice buzz around the place."
Macarthur FC Captain Ulises Davila
"Everyone is looking to be here tomorrow and I think we've been preparing very well. I think the team is ready, everyone is just waiting for the moment for the kick-off."
Australia Cup Final 2022 Match Details
Sydney United 58 FC vs Macarthur FC
Date: Saturday, 1 October 2022
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, NSW
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
Gates Open: 6.30pm AEST
Tickets: Click Here
