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2026 Australia Cup final rounds thread

HonestSpursFan said:
If it’s in Sydney where would it be? Allianz isn’t an NPL ground but it’s a great stadium.
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It won’t be unless APIA or SD make it. Doubt they’d play out of SFS. Maybe parramatta, by then Leichhardt won’t be available i don’t think. You’d hope not kogarah.

But it’s unlikely imo the way the draw has shaped up
 
Glenardo said:
Maybe it’s just me but this year none of the top 3 in nsw; APIA, Sydney united, Marconi have looked unbeatable. You still get the feeling any of them could lose to any team on their day etc. all 3 have been impressive in patches and for spells throughout, but none of them seem like the complete package as teams imo
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we weren't even predicted to make the 6 this year, no one gave us a chance, and still we got silverware, and still have 3 more trophies to fight for.

APIA was always predicted to win it, along with Marconi, because let's face it their squads are stacked and have one of the highest wage bills in NSW.
 
Beretta said:
we weren't even predicted to make the 6 this year, no one gave us a chance, and still we got silverware, and still have 3 more trophies to fight for.

APIA was always predicted to win it, along with Marconi, because let's face it their squads are stacked and have one of the highest wage bills in NSW.
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I still think APIA aren’t as good this year as in previous seasons imo. The likes of Stewart haven’t been as good this year etc but more leaky at the back. But certainly capable of turning it on on their day

I’ve never thought Marconi were particularly amazing, despite the praise of commentators at various times, it’s always a been brute force, grind out results with individual moments of brilliance from certain players who are capable of them on their day. Marconi were a better team when they had Temelkovski up front. But even then, it’s always been ugly football under tseka. Will be interesting to see the new direction the club goes in, hopefully it’s relatively seemless, but that’ll be tricky after such a long time with the same core.

Sydney united this year are strong at the back and good structurally, just as we’ve said, lack cutting edge up front. Put a top striker in that team and they’d be closer to a complete package. Seems like Vlastelica has been getting slightly less game time of late, most likely due to recent birth of his first child. Imo last night in the second half Sydney united had some very good spells in the ball, there was a sequence where they strung a good number of passes together and created a scoring chance at the end of it
 
SMFC1959 said:
For us down here in Melbourne, where could the SD Raiders vs Sydney FC and APIA vs Victory be held?
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I would imagine sd v Sydney fc will be at Fairfield where they played the last game v macathur. Looks a decent venue these days tbh.

Would think APIA v victory will be at Leichhardt if they can
 
Glenardo said:
I still think APIA aren’t as good this year as in previous seasons imo. The likes of Stewart haven’t been as good this year etc but more leaky at the back. But certainly capable of turning it on on their day
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it shows Franco manages rather well - the players are behind him but we are lacking consistency and sound defense.
Losing Kelly is a hard one to replace, wily Sean is leading the troops but ageing. Were leaking many soft goals.
Our forward play though has some wonderful flow but some are over doing it - a lot in fact as per last night, Franco needs to nip this in the bud. Losing too much ball - we controlled better some previous seasons but when were on - that’s what has taken us top of the ladder, goals but they have dried up last couple of games.
Glenardo said:
I’ve never thought Marconi were particularly amazing, despite the praise of commentators at various times, it’s always a been brute force, grind out results with individual moments of brilliance from certain players who are capable of them on their day. Marconi were a better team when they had Temelkovski up front. But even then, it’s always been ugly football under tseka. Will be interesting to see the new direction the club goes in, hopefully it’s relatively seemless, but that’ll be tricky after such a long time with the same core.
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you said it - your game has been nothing amazing but staunch defence muscle, late tackles :) hoof ball you name it.
Yep if it wasn't for individual moments of brilliance not much there.
The rebuild will be good viewing, I expect you'll suffer get some highlights and we see what eventuates.
A new coach is either a blessing or a nightmare.
Glenardo said:
Sydney united this year are strong at the back and good structurally, just as we’ve said, lack cutting edge up front. Put a top striker in that team and they’d be closer to a complete package. Seems like Vlastelica has been getting slightly less game time of late, most likely due to recent birth of his first child. Imo last night in the second half Sydney united had some very good spells in the ball, there was a sequence where they strung a good number of passes together and created a scoring chance at the end of it
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SU never say die period !
Last night we should have put them on the back foot by HT nearly 3up, lets say 2 for starters for the chances were there for the taking.
We had the possession, the turf war then one weak defensive lapse and top strike levels it.
Came out of the sheds wanting it more - we try to play too pretty, lost the midfield, couldn't retain the ball.
All power to SU they are a war machine and I admire that - if they had a decent 9 3 goals would have been taken done dusted but just as against CCM the other week they go to the end and with all that possession played some good football.
Didn't deserve to lose in regular or ET but that’s how the cookie crumbles - bit like you guys won at Leichardt last year with pens, you weren't the better team on the night but won.
 
Beretta said:
Overall we were better but didnt take our chances. that's football.

they announced 3,200 over the speakers at the game. You can thank the 2,000 croats that rocked up for that.

It was over policed as the FA deemed the match high risk lol, but there were no incidents to report on
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I always notice it’s a distinctly middle class feeling about APIAs support imo. You wouldn’t really expect any trouble, was never on the cards. Someone asked a while back what’s the difference between APIA and Marconi’s support. Not a good or bad thing, probably to be expected re where the clubs are located but would probably argue as generalisation APIA tend to be more the inner west middle class Italians who have done well for themselves etc plus they’ve now got that small local hipster subset with the keychains strapped to their pants. Will be interesting to see how the Leichhardt redevelopment turns out, hopefully it’s good, there’s a risk it becomes nicer but a bit soulless. Would help if could bring in some of their own food trucks etc

Marconi tends to be more the western suburbs working class Italians. Again, generalisations though. There would be a lot of cross over there, both would have families from other parts of Sydney who have ties to one or the other. 0 risk of trouble v Sydney united with either of them

Sydney united had very good support last night. Solid numbers and good noise. Made the occasion. Good scenes after the equaliser. Was surprised to see an MCF presence, been a while since I’ve seen that in Sydney apart from the Australia cup final
 
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Thought it was a nice touch last night btw announcing progress scores from around the grounds in Melbourne over the loudspeaker. The more cross pollination and generating of mutual interest the better imo
 
Will be a massive achievement for either lions or north sunshine to make the semis of the Australia cup btw. Could argue north sunshine haven’t had the hardest draw but still beat last year’s finalists on the way. Qld lions, fair play they’ve beaten 2 a league sides
 
Glenardo said:
Will be a massive achievement for either lions or north sunshine to make the semis of the Australia cup btw. Could argue north sunshine haven’t had the hardest draw but still beat last year’s finalists on the way. Qld lions, fair play they’ve beaten 2 a league sides
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Nth Sunshine also knocked out Avondale in qualifying. They also pushed Preston in the dockerty cup semi, they should arguably have lead that game 3-0. Its amazing how such a poor performing league team can lift so much for these games.
 
Brenton1986 said:
The selection of the Host Venue for the Hahn Australia Cup 2026 Final will be determined by Football Australia and announced following the Semi Finals.
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Would genuinely consider going down to Melbourne for a preston/south melbourne v Sydney fc/Melbourne victory final btw. Would be some occasion. Would imagine tickets would be hard to come by if at lakeside. Could easily draw a big enough crowd to warrant aami park. Both sides would likely be well represented in the stands if it was any combination of those 4. Occasions like that would go a long to cementing the comp in peoples hearts and minds
 
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LFC said:
I was glad to see so many of us tipped woefully in the end.
2/8 was common as haha

Interesting having just seen the the next tipping phase, SFC BLions straight most picks but the APIA MV SMH Prestons games has people thinking lot more..
APIA got no hope if we put on a similar show like last night but we shall see.
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The APIA game is my cupset..... should get double points for cupsets. AM I trying anyway to scam extra points so I can catch the leaders? Yes
 
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