Ahead of our Round of 32 clash with Oakleigh Cannons let’s take a look back at the previous editions we have had in the Australia Cup that has seen outrageous goals, debuts and big wins.
2014
In the very first edition of the Australia Cup Sydney FC were drawn away against Melbourne City and overcame them 3-1 in extra time with Corey Gameiro scoring their first goal in the competition. Ali Abbas added two penalties in the additional 30 minutes to see the Sky Blues progress onto the next round.
In the last 16, they met Sydney United 58 who they dispatched comfortably 3-1 before a ten man Sydney fell at the hands of Adelaide United in extra time in the quarter final. Adelaide would go onto win the 2014 competition.
2015
In 2015 the Sky Blues were drawn against Sorrento from Western Australia and saw themselves up early from a Shane Smeltz penalty and needed to wait until the second half before securing progression when Max Burgess found the net from a tight angle.
In the Round of 16 they met familiar foe Adelaide United, this time at Coopers Stadium and once again they were unable to overcome them. Rhyan Grant opened the scoring with a stunning strike from range but the Sky Blues weren’t able to hold on with Dylan McGowan scoring in Extra Time to break the hearts of the Sky Blues.
2016
Sydney FC were drawn against NSW NPL side Wollongong Wolves who they surpassed without much trouble in front of over 8,000 people in the Round of 32 thanks to goals from Matt Simon and David Carney.
In the Round of 16 they came up against Perth Glory at Dorrien Gardens and after a lacklustre 90 minutes, neither team was able to find the net, with Milos Ninkovic and Alex Brosque finding the net in the additional period to see the Sky Blues through to the last eight.
In the quarter finals, new striker Bobo put on a show assisting two and scoring the other in a 3-0 victory over Blacktown City which set up a semi final meeting with Canberra Olympic of which Sydney FC won with the same scoreline.
In the final, they met Melbourne City at AAMI Park and the hosts would use the home fans to their advantage with Graham Arnold’s side unable to find the net, eventually losing 1-0 to a Tim Cahill goal.
2017
The Sky Blues’ biggest competitive victory came in the Round of 32 when they put eight unanswered goals past a helpless Darwin Rovers.
In the next round, Polish star Adrian Mierzejewski made his debut, marking it with a goal in a 3-0 victory over Bankstown Berries at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Into the last eight and Sydney FC sought their revenge for last season’s final, beating Melbourne City 2-0 at Leichhardt Oval thanks to two stunning goals to Jordy Buijs and Alex Brosque.
In the Semi Final Sydney met NPL side South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium and Graham Arnold’s side were too strong, strolling out to a 5-1 win, setting up a final against their cup favourites, Adelaide United.
Finally, Sydney FC would lift the Australia Cup for the first time, beating the Reds 2-1 after extra time with Bobo rising highest in front of The Cove to hand Sydney FC the trophy.
2018
Sydney FC began their Cup defence away against local Sydney NPL side Rockdale who they had to come from behind to get the better of in a 4-2 victory.
In the Round of 16 the Sky Blues again had to come from behind against Cairns FC who they dispatched thanks to goals from Trent Buhagiar and Alex Brosque.
In the last eight they found the going tough against Avondale who clawed back a two goal deficit to force extra time. Goals in the extra 30 minutes to Milos Ninkovic and Adam Le Fondre set up a mouth watering Sydney Derby in the Cup.
The first meeting between the two rivals was held in Penrith and the Sky Blues were too good for their Western counterparts, winning 3-0 and setting up yet another final meeting with Adelaide United.
This time, the Reds would get the better of Sydney FC, winning 2-1 after Craig Goodwin scored a stunning strike cancelling out Adam Le Fondre’s leveler from the spot.
2019
The 2019 edition of the cup was the Sky Blues most disappointing, falling at the first hurdle to Brisbane Roar at Leichhardt Oval in the Round of 32.
2020
The 2020 edition of the competition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
Once the world re-opened, the Australia Cup was back on and Sydney FC met Sydney Olympic in the Round of 32 at Belmore and comfortably saw their way past the blue and white 4 goals to 2.
In the Round of 16 they took on Macarthur FC and needed extra time to see away the Bulls with the scores locked at 0-0 at full time. Goals to James Donachie and Harry van Der Saag put the Sky Blues into the quarter final draw.
In the Quarter Finals, they dispatched Brisbane Roar by a lone goal at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium to set up a Semi Final meeting with the Central Coast Mariners who progressed onto their first final after dispatching a highly controversial spot kick.
2022
In the 2022 edition, Sydney FC took on the Central Coast Mariners and in one of the craziest matches all year, won on penalties. Sydney came from behind to lead but were pegged back by two late Mariners goals in regulation time, forcing extra time and with neither side able to find the net, penalties decided it with Andrew Redmayne coming up with some key saves in the shootout.
In the Round of 32, it was more straight forward with a 2-1 victory over Bentleigh Greens with young stars Aaron Gurd and Adrian Segecic finding the net. In the Quarter Final, Oakleigh Cannons proved too stern a test and the Sky Blues were unable to overcome a two goal first half deficit, falling 2-1 in Melbourne.
2023
Once again, Sydney FC met the Central Coast Mariners in the Round of 32 and once again it went all the way. Tied 2-2 at full time it required Jaiden Kucharski equalising in the 123rd minute to force penalties once more after the Mariners scored in the first additional 15 minutes. Every player on the pitch took a penalty with Andrew Redmayne scoring the winning spot kick after saving the Central Coast keeper’s attempt a moment before.
In the Round of 16 and Quarter Final, things were much simpler and stress free with Sydney easily overcoming APIA Leichhardt 2-0 and Western United 3-0 to set up a Semi Final against Melbourne City.
Down at AAMI Park, Sydney FC were too strong for the A-League side thanks to goals from Pat Wood and Joe Lolley, setting up a final against Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium.
Fresh after arriving in the country, Fabio Gomes came off the bench, scoring two to see the Sky Blues lift the Australia Cup for the second time. Joe Lolley was awarded the Mark Viiduka Medal for his great performance which saw the hosts come from behind, scoring three goals in the second half.
2024
The Sky Blues will begin their defence against Oakleigh Cannons on Tuesday 30th July.
Oakleigh Cannons v Sydney FC
Australia Cup Round of 32
Tuesday 30th July 2024
Home of the Matildas, Melbourne, VIC
Kick Off: 7:30pm AEST
Broadcast Live: 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
