The draw for the Hahn Australia Cup Qualifying Round 5, which doubles as the Capital Football Federation Cup Quarter Finals, has pitted two of the most recent winners of the competition in a head-to-head match-up of monumental proportions as Canberra Croatia, winners in 2023, welcome Monaro Panthers, winners in 2022 to Deakin Stadium.
Both teams have been in red hot form in the opening stages of the 2025 season, Panthers having scored eighteen goals in three matches prior to the draw, Croatia having netted fourteen in the same timeframe.
With a quartet of former Croatia players having moved across to Stryda Park in the off-season in the shape of Michael Piccolo, Daniel Barac, Stephen Domenici and Marco Gayer, there’s more than a hint of familiarity between the two teams which should make for an entertaining and high-quality match.
The winner of that fixture will be rewarded with a home semi-final clash with the winner of Tuggeranong United and Yoogali SC, the duo set to meet for the second time in the Australia Cup clashes following a 2-0 Yoogali Quarter Final victory in Griffith back in 2021.
It’s been all Tuggeranong in matches in home games for United, recording 3-0 and 6-0 victories in the two National Premier League matches that they lined up against each other in the 2024 season.
There’s an intriguing match scheduled for Tuesday 6 May as newly promoted NPL side Queanbeyan City welcome Brindabella Blues, the only surviving Capital Premier League club left in the competition, with the two teams having plenty of history between them in clashes in the second tier.
Either Gungahlin United or Tigers FC will await in the last four, the two NPL giants drawn against each in the Quarter Finals. In twenty-seven matches in all competitions between the Gunners and the Tigers, Gungahlin have won thirteen, Tigers ten and four draws, suggesting there will not be much between the two when they lock horns on Wednesday 7 May.
FIXTURES
Tuesday 29 April
Canberra Croatia v Monaro Panthers
Wednesday 30 April
Tuggeranong United v Yoogali SC
Tuesday 6 May
Queanbeyan City v Brindabella Blues
Wednesday 7 May
Gungahlin United v Tigers FC
WOMEN’S FEDERATION CUP
The semi-final draw for the Women’s Federation Cup has thrown up a possible repeat of the 2024 NPLW Grand Final with Belconnen United and Canberra Olympic on a collision course in the last four if they win their Quarter Final matches against Majura FC and Gungahlin United respectively. In the other semi-final, Canberra Croatia or Tuggeranong United will meet the victors of ANU WFC and West Canberra Wanderers.
Semi-Finals
Tuesday 13 May
Tuggeranong United / Canberra Croatia v ANU WFC / West Canberra Wanderers
Wednesday 14 May
Canberra Olympic / Gungahlin United v Belconnen United / Majura FC
