A place in the Australia Cup Round of 32 awaits the victors of the Capital Football Men’s Federation Cup Final, as underdogs Queanbeyan City come face-to-face with the juggernaut that is Canberra Croatia in the showdown at McKellar Park.
Not since the heady days of 1969 have Queanbeyan City graced the Cup Final when, known as Queanbeyan Macedonia, they defeated Juventus 3-1 in extra-time to claim the silverware, and to repeat that feat they will need to be at their absolute best against the might of the red machine.
Canberra Croatia have won nineteen cup finals, the first dating back to 1962 and have been regular finalists. Since 2002 they’ve won the cup ten times, and this is Canberra Croatia’s fourth Hahn Australia Cup Qualifying Final, of which they have won two and lost one.
Both teams have been amongst the goals on their way to the finale at McKellar, Queanbeyan City got here by scoring seven goals and conceding four, whilst Croatia have reached the final by scoring fourteen goals and conceding none, a formidable record at both ends of the pitch.
The clubs have met once in the Cup once before, a Round 3 match in 2021 when Canberra Croatia ran out victors by 3-1, and in their only National Premier League meeting to date, it was the men from Deakin that came out on top as a brace from Nick Pratezina, and goals from Thomas James, Keegan Vucetic and Daniel Sparrow contributed to a 5-0 success.
Both teams have in-form cup forwards, Thomas Blazevski having two cup goals in three outings this season, one of six different scorers for City during their cup run, with Maxx Green having scored four cup goals this season in just three matches for Croatia.
The form guide would suggest that this is Canberra Croatia’s match to lose, and yet the Magic of the Cup does not often disappoint. Few, expect those loosely connected with the fortunes of the High Street heroes, would have predicted City to upset the applecart against Tigers FC at South Jerrabomberra.
They will need to call on all their strength, spirit, and determination to tackle a Croatia side that has been in fluent, almost destructive form, throughout 2025 to date. Cup passion can be a great leveler though and City’s vociferous support will be out in numbers hoping that there’s some more magic dust in the air.
MATCH DETAILS
Saturday 7 June 2025
Queanbeyan City v Canberra Croatia
(McKellar Park, 15:30)
Admission: $5 (adults), $2 (concessions), Free (under-14)
Official Souvenir Program: $2
