O’Connor Knights have been drawn to face 2022 Australia Cup winners Macarthur FC in the Australia Cup Round of 32 following the televised draw held on Wednesday evening.

Macarthur won the tournament when they defeated National Premier League NSW outfit Sydney United 58 in the Final and ended the 2023/2024 A-League season in fifth place.

The Knights progressed to the National Stage by winning the capital Football Australia Cup Qualifying Final, defeating Monaro Panthers 4-2 in the showdown at Deakin Stadium having previously knocked out Canberra Olympic, Queanbeyan City, and Gungahlin United.

The 2023 League Champions have never previously trodden the stage in this round of the competition indeed their cup success was their first in the Federation Cup, the trophy presented to the Capital Football regional qualifiers, back in 2008 when they beat near neighbours Canberra FC at McKellar Park.

Currently sitting in second place in the National Premier League table by virtue of goal difference alone, albeit with a game in hand against fourth-placed Tigers FC to come, the Knights have only lost once in their past thirty matches, the 1-3 reverse at home to the Panthers a week prior to the Cup Final.

Whilst not been at their free-flowing best in recent weeks, the Knights have still managed to score two or more goals in twelve of their fourteen matches played in 2023, a run which began with them capturing the Charity Shield at the commencement of the current campaign with a 2-0 win against Canberra Croatia.

The challenge of the A-League side will test the Knights to the limit, but with the support of their passionate fanbase, the men from O’Connor will advance upon their greatest test to date with courage and conviction.

MATCH DETAILS

Australia Cup Round of 32

O’Connor Knights v Macarthur FC

Date and venue TBC