Both sides head into the match high in confidence after an impressive Round of 32. Avondale thumped WA’s Stirling Macedonia 5-1, while APIA pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by eliminating A-League Champions Melbourne City 2-0.
Not only is this tie significant in its own right, but it will also provide football fans with a taste of the upcoming Australian Championship - a new competition to function as the country’s second-highest tier, kicking off in October and featuring both clubs.
Avondale Operations Manager Robert Marinkovic is looking forward to what should be an intriguing spectacle.
“It’s a pleasing and exciting draw, with a bit of extra bite to the game,” Marinkovic commented.
“Both teams are foundation clubs and will be playing in the Championship. APIA is also a historic Italian club, which adds to the occasion.”
Marinkovic was also quick to compliment APIA for their performance in the previous round.
“Any team beating an elite side deserves credit, so well done to them for that result - it’s a fantastic achievement,” he said, before adding that there was “excitement” around his own club heading into the tie.
“This is exactly where we want to be and what we’ve been working towards all year,” he revealed.
The match has been moved from Avondale’s regular home ground at Avenger Park in Parkville to the larger Green Gully Reserve in Keilor Downs, with a stadium capacity of 10,000.
Marinkovic said the move was “primarily due to lighting and meeting the requirements for broadcast cameras and coverage”.
Avondale’s best run in the Australia cup came in 2019, when they reached the quarterfinals. Marinkovic wasn’t coy about what matching that record with a win on Wednesday night would mean for the club.
“It would mean a great deal,” he admitted, “We work incredibly hard on and off the field to go as far as possible in every competition we enter.”
Kick off is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the gate, with children under 12 able to enter for free.
