AFC, Phoenix on same side of Australia Cup
- NZ Sports Wire
- Aug 1
- 1 min read
Auckland FC and the Wellington Phoenix could potentially meet in the semifinals of the Australia Cup.
The two New Zealand A-League clubs drew NPSL club for Round 16 matches during the official draw on Wednesday, and if they each win twice, would face each other for the fourth time, and first in the knockout Cup.
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Second-year Auckland FC, in the Australia Cup for the first time, will face South Melbourne of the NPL Victoria league at Lakeside Stadium in the next round from August 9-13.
The Phoenix, who had to defeat the Brisbane Roar to qualify for the competition proper, drew fourth-tier Nunawading City, from the Victoria Premier Leagues Division 2.
Should the reigning Premiers Plate holders advance, they will face the winner of Sydney FC-Sydney United 58, while the Phoenix's potential quarterfinal opponents are Western Sydney Wanderers and Heidelberg United.
Auckland FC marched through the Round of 32 with a 4-0 victory over the Gold Coast Knights on Tuesday night. Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson, Guillermo May and Liam Gillion scored goals.
The Phoenix needed a penalty shootout to get by the Perth Glory on Sunday, after a 1-1 draw in Western Australia. Lukas Kelly-Heald scored in the 20th minute, then converted the winning spot-kick, taking the shootout 8-7.
