Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds | Round of 16 Preview

The Round of 16 of the Australia Cup South Australian qualifiers is here. With an exciting weekend of Cup football upon us, we take a quick look at each matchup. Who will secure a place in the 2022 Quarter Finals?

Salisbury United vs Parafield Gardens

Friday 6th May | 7:00 pm | Steve Jarvis Park - Burton

Salisbury United:
2022 Current League Position: 2nd (State League Two)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 2-0 AET win against Gawler Eagles FC

Parafield Gardens:
2022 Current League Position: 1st (SAASL Sunday Premier A)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 6-1 win against Adelaide Hills

Salisbury United and Parafield Gardens kick off the Round of 16 of the Australia Cup South Australian qualifiers tonight at Steve Jarvis Park – Burton in what could be an exciting spectacle. Salisbury United’s start to the 2022 season has been great, with the team currently sitting in second of State League Two with five wins, three draws and only one loss in their opening nine games. With this, Salisbury United have also had an extraordinary run to get into the Round of 16, beating State League One title hunters Para Hills Knights on penalties, before knocking off fellow State League Two team Gawler Eagles FC 2-0 in extra-time. They now face another difficult challenge in the form of the only remaining SAASL club, Parafield Gardens. The current SAASL Sunday Premier A league leader, Parafield Gardens have had a perfect start to their 2022 season, winning all three games in their league division, scoring twelve and only conceding once. To gain access to the Round of 16, Parafield Gardens beat Adelaide University Grads Blue from the Collegiate Soccer League (CSL) 7-0 in Round One, then beating State League One side Adelaide Hills 6-1 in Round Two. This tightly contested matchup will be one to watch in the Round of 16.

 

Adelaide City vs WT Birkalla

Saturday 7th May | 2:30 pm | Adelaide City Park

Adelaide City:
2022 Current League Position: 1st (RAA NPLSA)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 6-0 win against Modbury Vista

WT Birkalla:
2022 Current League Position: 12th (RAA NPLSA)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 1-0 win against FK Beograd

Last Meeting: 23\4\22 RAA NPLSA Round 8 | Adelaide City 1 v WT Birkalla 1

Adelaide City’s ambitions of avenging their 2021 Cup Final loss have been thrown a big hurdle as they must take on fellow RAA NPLSA side WT Birkalla who look to make their first Quarter-Final appearance since the 2017 season. Adelaide City remains the only team in the RAA NPLSA to yet be defeated in 2022, winning six and drawing three of their opening nine games, while recording a 6-0 win over Modbury Vista in Round Two of the Australia Cup South Australian qualifiers. Their opponent’s start to the 2022 season has been quite different to that of Adelaide City, with WT Birkalla currently sitting at the opposite end of the RAA NPLSA table in twelfth. With only one win in their opening nine games of the season, WT Birkalla will hope to have a change of fortune as they look for a place in this year’s Quarter Finals. Both clubs have already met in league competition this season in Round Eight, which ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw as former Adelaide City attacker Austin Ayoubi gave WT Birkalla the lead in the 87th minute before Daniel Bressan equalised for Adelaide City in the 91st minute. There can only be one winner this week, who will get the better of their opponent and progress to the next round?

Adelaide City
Image: Brenton Bessell (Adelaide City vs WT Birkalla)

Port Adelaide vs Vipers FC

Saturday 7th May | 2:30 pm | Ngarrpadla (Taperoo Reserve)

Port Adelaide:
2022 Current League Position: 7th (State League One)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 4-2 win against Mount Barker United SC

Vipers FC:
2022 Current League Position: 4th (State League Two)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 2-1 win against Cumberland United

Port Adelaide is searching for their first appearance in the Quarter Finals for the first time since 2016, while Vipers look to make their first Quarter-Final appearance as they face-off in the Round of 16 at Ngarrpadla (Taperoo Reserve). After starting the season with four defeats in five games, Port Adelaide has had a resurgence since the arrival of new coach Steve Hughes, winning twice, and drawing once, with their only loss since coming against league leaders Modbury Jets. After receiving a bye in Round One, Port Adelaide defeated Mount Barker United SC 4-2 to enter the Round of 16. This will be the first time both teams meet since Vipers FC knocked Port Adelaide out of the 2021 State League Two Final Series Semi-Final to reach the Grand Final. Vipers FC has been an early standout in State League Two this season, currently on a run of seven games unbeaten in the league, winning four of their last five games, only being defeated once all year. After overcoming State League One heavyweights Adelaide Croatia Raiders in Round One, Vipers FC backed it up with an impressive 2-1 win over RAA NPLSA side Cumberland United. Could Vipers FC cause another upset and reach their first Quarter Finals in the Australia Cup South Australian qualifiers?

Vipers FC
Image: 80kms (Vipers FC)

 

Playford City vs MetroStars

Saturday 7th May | 2:30 pm | Ramsay Park

Playford City:
2022 Current League Position: 5th (State League One)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 3-1 win against Adelaide University SC

MetroStars:
2022 Current League Position: 4th (RAA NPLSA)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 3-2 win against Sturt Lions

Playford City and MetroStars meet in the Australia Cup South Australian qualifiers for the second consecutive season as they face at Ramsay Park Saturday afternoon. In last year’s meeting, MetroStars recorded a 5-2 win to knock Playford City out of the cup in the Quarter Finals to reach the Semi-Finals, however, only one club can reach the Quarter Finals in 2022. After experiencing a slight dry spell, MetroStars has regained their form in recent weeks, recording two wins in their last two fixtures. MetroStars beat fellow RAA NPLSA side Sturt Lions 3-2 in Round Two of qualifiers, with Phil Cash’s 90th-minute goal sending his side into the Round of 16. Playford City will look to regain their form after a shattering defeat in Round Nine in State League One as they were beaten 6-0 by Adelaide Croatia Raiders. In their opening two rounds in the Australia Cup South Australian qualifiers, Playford City beat State League Two side Western Strikers 4-2, then beaten fellow State League One side Adelaide University SC 3-1.

MetroStars
Image: Ken Carter (MetroStars)

 

Modbury Jets vs South Adelaide

Saturday 7th May | 2:30 pm | Smith Partners Stadium

Modbury Jets:
2022 Current League Position: 1st (State League One)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 5-2 win against Tea Tree Gully City

South Adelaide:
2022 Current League Position: 7th (RAA NPLSA)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 2-0 win against Pontian Eagles

State League One leaders Modbury Jets look to continue their unbeaten start to the 2022 season as they face an out of form South Adelaide from the RAA NPLSA. Modbury Jet’s has started their 2022 State League One season winning seven out of their first nine games, drawing the other two. Almost facing their first defeat in Round Nine to Adelaide Victory, two second-half goals, with an 85th-minute Liam McCabe goal secured the point after being two goals down. To reach the Round of 16, Modbury Jets beat State League Two side Seaford Rangers 6-0 in Round One, then beating SAASL club Tea Tree Gully City 5-2 in the second round. Their opponents South Adelaide are currently without a league win in six games, losing five and only drawing once. South Adelaide will hope to regain their early-season form as they look to provide Modbury Jets with their first loss of the year. To reach the Round of 16 South Adelaide secured a 2-0 win over State League Two team Pontian Eagles as Alex Rideout and Taine Muscroft’s both scored late to secure the win.

South Adelaide
Image: Ken Carter (South Adelaide)

 

Campbelltown City vs Adelaide Olympic

Saturday 7th May | 2:30 pm | Steve Woodcock Sports Centre

Campbelltown City:
2022 Current League Position: 3rd (RAA NPLSA)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 3-0 win against Cove FC

Adelaide Olympic:
2022 Current League Position: 8th (RAA NPLSA)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 3-1 win against Adelaide Comets

Last Meeting: 23\4\22 RAA NPLSA Round 8 | Campbelltown City 3 v Adelaide Olympic 0

We have a 2021 Semi-Final rematch as last year’s Champions Adelaide Olympic face RAA NPLSA highflyers Campbelltown City in the Round of 16. The two-time Champions’ quest for their third consecutive Cup win could face major problems in the Round of 16 as they face another difficult challenge. Adelaide Olympic’s start to the 2022 season hasn't started begun as wanted, already losing five of their opening nine league games, however, they look to have turned a corner in Round Nine of the RAA NPLSA beating Croydon FC 1-0 to earn their third win of the season. To reach the Round of 16, Adelaide Olympic demonstrated their great cup abilities beating the then-undefeated Adelaide Comets 3-1. Campbelltown City will look to be the first team to beat Adelaide Olympic in the Australia Cup South Australian qualifiers since Cumberland United did in the Quarter Finals in May of 2018. Campbelltown City is currently in tremendous form, being undefeated in their last seven league games while earning a 3-0 win over Cove FC in Round Two of the Qualifiers. Both clubs met in league competition two weeks ago, which saw Campbelltown City record a 3-0 win over Adelaide Olympic at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre. Could we see another repeat of their Round Eight fixture, or will Adelaide Olympic continue their unbeatable cup run?

Campbelltown City
Image: Ken Carter (Campbelltown City)

 

West Adelaide vs Croydon FC

Saturday 7th May | 5:15 pm | West Beach Parks Football Centre

West Adelaide:
2022 Current League Position: 3rd (State League One)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 3-0 win against Adelaide Victory

Croydon FC:
2022 Current League Position: 5th (RAA NPLSA)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 3-1 win against Adelaide Blue Eagles

We are treated to another State League One vs RAA NPLSA matchup with West Adelaide hosting Croydon FC at West Beach Parks Football Centre. West Adelaide has been in tremendous form in 2022, only losing one of their opening nine league games, which see them sit third in State League One. To arrive in the Round of 16, West Adelaide has recorded a 6-0 win over CSL side Adelaide Thunder and a 3-0 win over fellow State League One team Adelaide Victory. They now face a strong Croydon FC side from the RAA NPLSA who are eager to return to the Australian Cup Final Rounds. Currently sitting in fifth, Croydon FC has started the RAA NPLSA season with four wins and three draws, while only losing twice. They have dropped in form in recent weeks, losing to Adelaide Olympic 1-0 and drawing with South Adelaide 1-1 in their last two fixtures. Croydon FC beat State League One team Adelaide Blue Eagles 3-1 to earn a place in the Round of 16.

West Adelaide
Image: 80kms (West Adelaide)

 

Eastern United FC vs Noarlunga United

Sunday 8th May | 4:00 pm | West Beach Parks Football Centre

Eastern United FC:
2022 Current League Position: 9th (State League One)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 5-3 win against Elizabeth Grove

Noarlunga United:
2022 Current League Position: 9th (State League Two)
2022 Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds | Round Two: 0-0 (4-2 Penalty) win against Ghan Kilburn City

To close the Round of 16 we will see Eastern United face Noarlunga United at West Beach Parks Football Centre on Sunday afternoon. After starting the season with only one loss in their opening five games, State League One side Eastern United have now lost their last three league matches and missed their Round Nine match after it was postponed. To reach the Round of 16, Eastern United beat CSL team Adelaide University Grads Red 7-0 in Round One, then in Round Two beating SAASL heavyweights Elizabeth Downs SC 5-3. Noarlunga United will be excited with the prospect of gaining a place in the Quarter Finals after what has been a mixed start to their State League Two season. Currently sitting in ninth, Noarlunga United have won only two of their opening nine games, winning their second game last week as they beat Gawler Eagle FC 6-1. Beating SAASL Saturday Premier A team BOSA FC 5-0 in Round One, Noarlunga United backed that result up by beating SAASL Sunday Premier A team Ghan Kilburn City on penalties to progress to the Round of 16.

Noarlunga United
Image: 80kms (Noarlunga United)