Oakleigh Cannons riding high after Sydney FC upset
Oakleigh Cannons shot their way into the Australia Cup Round of 16 after defeating A-Leagues side Sydney FC on July 30, 2024.
That match ended 3-1, with experienced attacking midfielder Joe Guest grabbing an assist, with goals from Kingsley Sinclair, Asad Kasumovic and Emlyn Wellsmore.
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The Cannons went ahead early before a penalty, that was originally saved but ordered to be retaken, saw Sydney draw level on 25 minutes. However, the hosts fought back and were able to score a second and third goal either side of half time to win the match.
“We had to dig deep, but we found the character to push on and go ahead a second time, and then score a third to wrap it up, it was honestly massive,” said Guest.
It was a big result for the club because it was a scalp really, when you play against a team in the league above you it is a cup final in essence, and we were able to upset the odds once again."
Indeed, back in August 2022, Oakleigh defeated Sydney FC 2-1 in the Australia Cup Quarter Finals – a game which Guest, the 2022 Mike Cockerill Medal winner, starred in as well.
“I played in the previous game where we beat Sydney and so this time, I tried to help the younger lads who hadn’t played against an A-Leagues side before.
We deserved to win in 2022, and we deserved to win this year as well, the whole squad put in a shift, and it was great to be a part of it."
Guest added that the young players within the squad were at their best in the match and he said the Australia Cup is a great competition to highlight the depth in talent within the NPL.
“Everyone enjoyed the win, we celebrated with the supporters and staff afterwards and most of all I was glad to see how much it meant to our younger players,” he said.
Some of the younger lads who have goals of making the A-Leagues were able to prove their skills against a big club, honestly I was buzzing for them, they put their front foot forward and helped us get the result."
Looking ahead for the remainder of the NPL campaign and the Australia Cup, Guest said the goal for Oakleigh is to end the season with some silverware.
“The NPL is your bread and butter in terms of what we set out to win each year, so there will be full focus on that as it draws to a close,” he said.
That 'Cupset' has set up a tie with local rivals Heidelberg United after they too beat an A-League Men opponent in reigning Champions Central Coast Mariners.
The two clubs sit just 27 kilometres apart in Melbourne, and currently lie just two points apart at the top end of the Victorian NPL Men's league table.
It is one of many enticing matches in the 2024 Round of 16.
“We’re excited for it, everyone at the club is pumped and ready to go for the match,” he said.
“Obviously we have beaten them already this season, but that doesn’t mean anything, and we know it will be tough. We will fancy our chances though.”
He added that the two clubs being so familiar with one another will only make it even more tense, and tough.
“They have had great success in Victoria over the last few decades and the fact that they are level with us in the league now suggests it will be a massive game for both clubs,” he said.
“We both know each other really well and I think that will make it such a great matchup, lets just hope we come out the other side.”
Currently, Oakleigh sit in third place on the Victorian NPL Men's table and look set to play finals football, but they want a home draw.
“Hopefully we can get some strong results in the last bit of the league season so we get a home draw, and if we can pick up some momentum hopefully, we can go all the way,” Guest said.
“If we can get a cup run at the same time that would be great, so to get as deep as possible is our goal, we really want to end the season with a trophy though.
“If we have success in either the cup or the league, or both, it would be deserved in my opinion – we have worked very hard as a unit this season and we want to finish as strong as possible.”
Match Details
Oakleigh Cannons FC v Heidelberg United FC
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEST
Home of the Matildas, Victoria
Tickets TBC
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