Australia’s largest annual knockout sporting competition, the Australia Cup, has entered the business end of the tournament following confirmation of the match schedule for this season’s Quarter Finals.
Claiming their spot in the final eight are three Member Federation clubs and five Isuzu UTE A-League Men teams, where at least one Member Federation side will reach the semi-finals after Melbourne Knights FC (Football VIC) drew fellow NPL Victoria outfit, Heidelberg United FC.
The announcement of the Australia Cup 2023 Quarter Finals’ Match Schedule follows consultation between Football Australia and the eight clubs around fixturing and ground availability after the official draw took place on Wednesday, 30 August.
The Quarter Finals’ action will get underway on Thursday, 14 September with the first two encounters featuring the aforementioned Knights taking on Heidelberg at Knights Stadium in Melbourne and MetroStars SC (Football SA) hosting A-League Men heavyweights, Melbourne City FC at TK Shutter Reserve in Adelaide, both kicking off at 7.30pm AEST.
Brisbane Roar FC will welcome Western Sydney Wanderers FC to Perry Park in the Queensland capital on Saturday, 16 September at 4.00pm AEST, with Sydney FC taking on Western United FC at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney on Sunday, 17 September in a 3.00pm AEST kick off.
At the conclusion of the Sunday fixture, the draw for the Australia Cup 2023 Semi-Finals will occur.
The Semi-Finals are scheduled to occur on 23, 24 and or 27 September with the Australia Cup 2023 Final set for Saturday, 7 October.
All Australia Cup 2023 Final Rounds matches are broadcast live and free on 10 Play.
AUSTRALIA CUP 2023 QUARTER FINAL PREVIEWS
MetroStars SC (Football SA) v Melbourne City FC
Venue: TK Shutter Reserve, Klemzig, SA
Date: Thursday, 14 September
Kick Off: 7.30pm AEST, 7:00pm local
MetroStars SC will play host to the Australia Cup 2016 winners Melbourne City FC following their one goal victory over Inter Lions FC (Football NSW) in the Round of 16. The South Australians face a tough challenge in trumping Melbourne City FC who disposed of fellow A-League Men’s side, Wellington Phoenix 3-0 to reach the quarters.
Melbourne Knights FC (Football VIC) v Heidelberg United FC (Football VIC)
Venue: Knights Stadium, Sunshine North, VIC, 7:30pm AEST
Date: Thursday, 14 September
Kick Off: 7.30pm AEST
An all-Victorian showdown shapes as one of the highlights of the Quarter Finals while also guaranteeing one Member Federation club will progress to the Semi-Final stage. Having only conceded one goal in the Final Rounds, Melbourne Knights FC will be hoping to keep their strong Cup form going against a Heidelberg side which is flying high after a confident victory over Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC (Football NSW) in the Round of 16.
Brisbane Roar FC v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Venue: Perry Park, Bowen Hills, QLD
Date: Saturday, 16 September
Kick Off: 4:00pm AEST
Both Brisbane Roar FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC flew into the Quarter Finals after scoring five goals apiece in the Round of 16. Both sides have been in impressive form during the Australia Cup Final Rounds and their respective A-League Men pre-seasons, so expecting both teams to come out with scoring intent with a place in the Semi-Finals on the line.
Sydney FC v Western United FC
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield, NSW, 3:00pm AEST
Date: Sunday, 17 September
Kick Off: 3:00pm AEST
After Sydney FC narrowly trumped NPL Men’s NSW 2023 Premiers APIA Leichhardt (Football NSW) in the Round of 16, the Sky Blues now face Western United FC, who cruised past the Gold Coast Knights (Football QLD) 2-0 in the Round of 16. Both sides will be wanting to go all the way in the Australia Cup to hopefully secure a place in one of the 2024/25 AFC Club Competitions.
