The line-up for the Australia Cup Round of 16 is set and there will be a new champion crowned after Melbourne Victory were eliminated by Isuzu UTE A-League holders Western United.
Western’s reward for dethroning defending champions Victory 2-1 at AAMI Park on Wednesday night is a trip to NPL NSW Men outfit Sydney United 58 FC.
“They will be difficult. They are a club with a lot of history from the NSL days,” said Western head coach John Aloisi.
“I know a lot of players who have come through that club and played at the highest level – Tony Popovic being one of them.
“We expect a difficult game. They will be ready to try and knock off the [ALM] champions from last season.”
There is only one all-A-League Men fixture in the last 16 and it pits Melbourne City against Wellington Phoenix as they vie for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Phoenix punched their ticket into the Round of 16 thanks to a 4-0 rout of NPLM Tasmania leaders Devonport City midweek, after ALM Premiers City had edged Newcastle Olympic 1-0 on Tuesday.
But a derby between historic NPLM SA side Adelaide City and three-time Australia Cup winners Adelaide United headlines the draw.
Dwight Yorke’s Macarthur FC will also travel to South Australia, where the Bulls are scheduled to meet Modbury Jets.
The other A-Leagues club – Sydney FC – will be on the plane to Melbourne to play NPLM VIC side Bentleigh Greens.
FULL DRAW – ROUND OF 16
Modbury Jets (SA) v Macarthur FC (A-Leagues)
Melbourne City (A-Leagues) v Wellington Phoenix (A-Leagues)
Oakleigh Cannons (VIC) v Brisbane City (QLD)
Adelaide City (SA) v Adelaide United (A-Leagues)
Bentleigh Greens (VIC) v Sydney FC (A-Leagues)
Peninsula Power (QLD) v Green Gully (VIC)
Sydney United 58 FC (NSW) v Western United (A-Leagues)
