The Australia Cup Round of 32 begins this weekend with Inglewood United embarking on their first adventure on the national stage in an away tie against South Australia’s MetroStars (tonight 5.30pm WST).
Andres Oliveira’s Inglewood qualified for the tie at TK Shutter Reserve with wins over Perth AFC, Gosnells City, Fremantle City and Sorrento FC, a run which has also put them in September’s State Cup final for the first time since 2009 where they will meet Floreat Athena.
While this is the first time at this stage of the competition for many of the players, goalkeeper Alex Dunn was in the Perth squad which travelled interstate to face Rockdale City in 2015.
“The last time I was involved in the Australia Cup was at Perth and I didn’t play that game which was disappointing personally. So to help Inglewood reach the Round of 32 for the first time was a pretty special moment,” the United captain said.
“There’s a lot of people at the club who have put in a lot of hard work and effort behind the scenes, so it’s nice for them to get the opportunity to experience this as well.
“We’re looking at this trip as a chance to experience that professional environment as a team and have a bit of training camp where we can come together and enjoy that social aspect.
“It’s going to be special to lead the guys out and hopefully it’s a game and a performance we can use for the rest of our season, and for the cup final against Floreat later in the year."
Metrostars are currently top of the NPLSA - Men’s competition and are in pole position to add a league title to June’s State Cup final win.
They are unbeaten in 14 matches and look formidable opposition for the WA representatives, but Dunn said Inglewood are more than happy to go across the Nullabor and play the underdog role.
“We’ll go over with nothing to lose. They’re top of the South Australian NPL and look a good side with some handy players based on the some of the highlights I’ve watched,” he said.
“I’m sure it will be a good crowd there. There’ll be plenty of people from around the league from different teams coming to support, like it is here when we have a team hosting an interstate side.
“We’ll definitely go over there and give it a good crack and are looking forward to playing in that environment. It’s a chance for us to showcase ourselves, and the club too, and hopefully we can come away with a positive result, which puts us in good stead for the rest of the season when we return.
Inglewood come into Friday’s fixture three points adrift at the bottom of the NPLWA – Men’s competition with three rounds remaining. But the 20 points they have accrued in 2023 is already more than any bottom side in the previous nine years of NPL football.
Dunn said that while the league position is disappointing, there is plenty of confidence they can turn it around.
“We haven’t had the rub of the green and that’s what happens when you’re down the bottom. I’ve seen it before with other teams who have been in the same situation,” he said.
- Every match in the Australia Cup 2023 final rounds – including the play-offs – will be streamed live and free across the nation on 10 Play.
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