There are three clubs making their national stage debut in an exciting evening of Hahn Australia Cup action.
Read our preview below.
Marlin Coast Rangers v Brunswick Juventus
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: Barlow Park
Broadcast: Football Australia YouTube, 10.com.au
Tickets
National stage debutants Marlin Coast Rangers host a Brunswick Juventus side appearing on this stage for the first time since their 2019 run to the quarter-final.
Hailing from Cairns, the Rangers are the reigning Far North Queensland champions. They secured their place in the Round of 32 after defeating Logan Lightning 3-1 in the Kappa Cup quarter-final. Captain Charlie Beverley scored a brace in that match.
They are once again top of the league this season and will hope joint top scorers Cooper Kennedy and Chris O’Hare can help them make a splash in the Hahn Australia Cup.
Their opponents, Brunswick Juventus, currently compete in Victoria’s VPL1 (second tier). It is the club’s second appearance on the national stage and first since 2019.
They booked their place by defeating Bulleen Lions in the Dockerty Cup quarter-finals after previously downing NPL club Oakleigh Cannons earlier in the draw.
Success on this stage would provide a boost for this historic club looking to make their mark on Australian football in the modern era.
FK Beograd v North Sunshine Eagles
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: 1Solution Frank Mitchell Park
Broadcast: Football Australia YouTube, 10.com.au
Tickets
Two national stage debutants face off as NPLSA side FK Beograd take on Victoria’s North Sunshine Eagles.
FK Beograd currently sit second in the NPLSA, but are in fantastic form, coming into this game on the back of four straight wins. They defeated WT Birkalla 3-0 in the qualification game to reach this stage after narrowly missing out last season and in the local Federation Cup Final at the weekend defeated Cumberland United 5-2 after extra time.
The duo of Lorenzo Boselli and Jason Konstandopoulos are poised to be their primary attacking threats, with nine and eight goals this season respectively.
North Sunshine Eagles compete in Victoria’s second tier, the VPL1. While their time in the league has not gone well this season they pulled off a remarkable 3-2 victory over Avondale to earn the right to represent their club on the national stage.
Ali Al Sheikh will be a key player for the Eagles, making an immediate impact after transferring from Western United earlier in the season.
