A spot in the Australia Cup Final is on the line when Brisbane Roar and Sydney United 58 FC go head-to-head at Sydney United Sports Stadium this Sunday.
The Roar capitalised on a fast start in their quarter-final match against reigning Cup holders Adelaide United. With first-half goals from Jay O’Shea and Charlie Austin, it was enough to see off the 10-man Reds as they advanced to the Australia Cup Semi-Final.
It was the first time Roar had reached this stage of Australia’s national knockout cup competition.
Head Coach Warren Moon said the team have spent the week training hard ahead of their clash with Sydney United.
“We’ve worked the boys pretty hard in the last couple of days, but we ramped up our preparations on Wednesday for the match against Sydney United,” he said.
“I’m excited not just as a coach, but as a Roar fan for the semi-final.
“We want the club to aspire to be back where it was under the glory days of Ange [Postecoglou], and we’ve started the process of rebuilding after last year.
“What better way to do that than to make a final and hopefully try and pick up some silverware,” Moon added.
Much like the Roar, it is also Sydney United’s first time reaching an Australia Cup Semi-Final, having previously been knocked out in the Round of 16 on five occasions.
And sixth time was the charm for the former National Soccer League club as they eliminated defending Isuzu UTE A-league champions Western United in a penalty shootout before defeating NPL Queensland powerhouse Peninsula Power 1-0 to book their spot in the semi-final.
With a side boasting a host of former A-League talents including Devante Clut and Chris Payne, Moon says the team won’t be taking Sydney United lightly.
“We’ve had a great opportunity to watch them at length in the New South Wales NPL but also when they played Western United and beat them so we’re certainly not taking them lightly,” Moon said.
“We’re going to prepare like we would for any other team. They’re a dangerous side with some ex-A-League players and the challenge is going to be there for us.
“For us, it’s about going down there on Sunday and making sure we approach it with the right mentality and if we played well, we believe we can win and go to the final,” Moon added.
Tune in to the Australia Cup this Sunday live and exclusive on 10Play. Kick-off is at 2pm.
Tickets are available online or at the gate on matchday.
MATCH DETAILS
Sydney United 58 FC v Brisbane Roar
Sunday 11 September
Kick off: 2pm
Sydney United Sports Stadium
