The 2022 Australia Cup has been a historic occasion as it enters the semifinals, with all four teams remaining in the competition making their debut in the final four. Also in another Australia Cup first, two lower league sides will be participating in the semifinals, with Oakleigh Cannons and Sydney United 58 seeking to upset A-League Men sides Macarthur FC and Brisbane Roar respectively as they seek to become the first non-A-League Men team to contest the Australia Cup final.
In a competition that saw little albeit regular cup upsets, Oakleigh and Sydney United’s presence in this year’s Australia Cup semifinals provides a fresh breath of air for the neutrals.
A lower league side participating in the Australia Cup semifinals has been a regular occurrence since the tournament’s inception in 2014, however they usually took on other lower league sides on their way to the semis, where they would usually get beaten by A-League Men opposition.
Both Oakleigh and Sydney United had eliminated A-League Men sides in their cup journey so far and the quality of their opposition can give the two some cause of optimism as they prepare for the semifinals.
Sydney United managed to knock out reigning A-League Men champions Western United in the round of 16, fighting back from 1-0 down to tie the game up at 1-1 before prevailing in the ensuing penalty shootout.
Oakleigh, on the other hand, claimed an even bigger scalp as they eliminated Sydney FC, arguably one of the most successful A-League Men clubs of all-time, in the quarterfinals. Wade Dekker and Chris Lucas scored in the first half to give Oakleigh a 2-0 lead going into half-time before the Cannons survived a second half onslaught from the Sky Blues that saw Adrian Segecic pulling one back for Steve Corica’s men.
Both Oakleigh and Sydney United are in for the toughest challenge of their lives this week, as they face high quality oppositions who, like them, are also eager to win their first ever Australia Cup trophy.
Brisbane Roar has added the likes of former Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Adam and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo man Riku Danzaki on loan to their squad as they seek to improve on their 11th placed finish from last season, and an Australia Cup trophy would be a great way to send a statement of intent to the rest of the league.
Likewise, an Australia Cup win for Macarthur would provide Trinidad and Tobago legend Dwight Yorke with his first ever major silverware as a head coach, in his first year in the job no less.
Sydney United will host Brisbane on September 11th, while Oakleigh will welcome Macarthur on September 14th.