Western Sydney Wanderers are through to the Round of 16 of the 2025 Hahn Australia Cup after a 3-0 win over NPL Queensland outfit Peninsula Power on Tuesday night.
The Wanderers became the first Isuzu UTE A-League side to progress to the Round of 16 as new recruit Kosta Barbarouses bagged his first goal in red and black as Alen Stajcic’s side cruised to a 3-0 lead in the first half – a lead they kept until the full-time whistle.
Bulgarian international Bozhidar Kraev scored a first-half brace but was denied a hat-trick in the second half, when Power goalkeeper Jordan Thurtell thwarted the Wanderers star from the penalty spot.
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There were starting debuts for new Wanderers signings Barbarouses and Alou Kuol in attack for head coach Stajcic, while fellow recruit Steven Ugarkovic, who won the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship with Melbourne City last season, came off the bench for his first competitive appearance for the club.
Phillip Cancar was an unused substitute following his move from Newcastle Jets back to the Wanderers for a second stint at the club.
The Wanderers progressed from one of three Round of 32 fixtures on the first night of the knockouts. NPL Victoria outfit Avondale FC cruised past NPL WA side Stirling Macedonia in a 5-1 triumph, while Nunawading City FC – from NPL Victoria 3 – made history with the largest winning margin ever posted in an Australia Cup knockout match, defeating Darwin Olympic 9-0 in a comprehensive rout.
Tuesday night’s three-game agenda kicked off the Round of 32; there are five more knockout games to be played this week, including four on Wednesday night and a Distance Derby bout between Isuzu UTE A-League rivals Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.
Matchday two match details (Wednesday, July 23)
South Hobart (Football TAS) v South Melbourne (Football VIC)
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEST
Venue: KGV Stadium
Broadcast: Watch Live on Paramount+.
Northern Tigers (Football NSW) v Sydney United 58 (Football NSW)
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEST
Leichhardt Oval
Broadcast: Watch Live and Free on 10.com.au or on the Football Australia YouTube channel HERE.
Adelaide Croatia Raiders (Football SA) v Cooks Hill United (Football NNSW)
Kick-off: 7:00pm ACST
Venue: Croatian Sports Centre
Broadcast: Watch Live and Free on 10.com.au or on the Football Australia YouTube channel HERE.
Heidelberg United (Football VIC) v Weston Bears (Football NNSW)
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEST
Venue: Olympic Village
Broadcast: Live and Free on 10.com.au or on the Football Australia YouTube channel HERE.
Matchday three match details (Sunday, July 27)
Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix
Kick-off: 3:00pm AWST
Venue: Olympic Stadium
Broadcast: Watch Live and Free on 10.com.au or on the Football Australia YouTube channel HERE.
