Capital Football National Premier League Champions, O’Connor Knights, will face the might of A-League giants Macarthur FC at Canberra’s iconic GIO Stadium on Tuesday 30 July.
The Knights have secured the national capital’s premium venue for the highly-anticipated Cup clash with the 2022 Cup Winners and will become the first NPL side to meet A-League opposition in the cup at the venue.
This clash will be the Knights’ first foray into the national stage of the cup, defeating Monaro Panthers 4-2 in Round 7 at Deakin Stadium to secure their place in the Round of 32.
That win over the Panthers was just the second time that the Knights have won the ACT Federation Cup, having previously won it in 2008 over rivals Canberra Croatia.
The Knights are starting to hit some good form before their monumental cup clash, having won three in a row, before their Round 15 clash against Tigers FC was postponed. The men from O’Connor find themselves just a single win off second place with six weeks remaining in the NPL season.
Despite having only been back at training since early July, Macarthur will provide a difficult opponent for the Knights, one they have not played before.
The Bulls have made a number of high-profile signings in the off-season, bolstering their squad with the likes of Chris Ikonomidis, Luke Brattan, and Marin Jakolis.
Under the guidance of former Socceroo Mile Sterjovski, Macarthur finished the 2023/24 A-League season in fifth place, their highest league finish to date, before bowing out of the finals series at the hands of Sydney FC.
Their first ever piece of silverware came in the 2022 edition of the Australia Cup, defeating New South Wales NPL side Syndey United 58 in the final.
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.
Australia Cup Round of 32
Tuesday 30 July
O’Connor Knights v Macarthur FC
(GIO Stadium, 19:30)