2024 Australia Cup final
{{Short description|Melbourne Victory and Macarthur FC Cup Association football match 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football match
| title = 2024 Australia Cup Final
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| event = 2024 Australia Cup
| team1 = Melbourne Victory
| team1score = 0
| team2 = Macarthur FC
| team2score = 1
| details =
| date = {{Start date|2024|9|29|df=y}}
| stadium = AAMI Park
| city = Melbourne
| man_of_the_match1a = Filip Kurto (Macarthur FC){{cite web|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/victory-leave-daniel-arzani-cup-091529882.html|title=Bulls put horror off-season behind them with Cup win|first=Anna|last=Harrington|publisher=Yahoo!|date=29 September 2024|quote=Filip Kurto starred, becoming the first goalkeeper to win the Mark Viduka Medal.}}
| referee = Jonathan Barreiro
| attendance = 13,289
| weather =
| previous = 2023
| next = 2025
}}
The 2024 Australia Cup Final was an association football match played between A-League Men sides Melbourne Victory and Macarthur FC at AAMI Park in Melbourne on 29 September 2024 to determine the winners of the 2024 Australia Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.australiacup.com.au/news/australia-cup-final-2024-venue-and-date-confirmed|title=Australia Cup Final 2024 Venue and Date Confirmed|website=Australia Cup|date=23 September 2024}} It was the ninth Australia Cup final and the 42nd final of Australian soccer's primary cup competitions. It was the first FFA Cup/Australia Cup final to be played in September.
The 2024 Australia Cup final's crowd of 13,289 is the lowest ever crowd for an Australia Cup final.
Teams
| class="wikitable"
!Team !Previous final appearances (bold indicates winners) |
| Melbourne Victory |
| Macarthur FC
|1 (2022) |
Route to the final
{{details|2024 Australia Cup}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; floatleft;" |
| colspan="2" | Melbourne Victory
! rowspan="2" | Round ! colspan="4" | Macarthur FC |
|---|
| style="background:#c1e0ff" |Opponent
| style="background:#c1e0ff" |Score | style="background:#c1e0ff" |Opponent | style="background:#c1e0ff" |Score |
| Lambton Jaffas
| 4–1 (A) | style="background:#c1e0ff" | Round of 32 | 2–1 (A) |
| NWS Spirit
| 4–0 (A) | style="background:#c1e0ff" | Round of 16 | 4–3 (A) |
| Moreton City Excelsior
| 4–0 (A) | style="background:#c1e0ff" | Quarter-finals | 1–0 (A) |
| Adelaide United
| 1–0 (H) | style="background:#c1e0ff" | Semi-finals | 1–0 (A) |
| colspan=5style="background-color:white;"|Note: In all results above, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away). |
=Melbourne Victory=
Melbourne Victory began their Australia Cup run in the Round of 32 with an away match against the Lambon Jaffas. Victory won the match 4–1 through two goals by Nishan Velupillay and one each by Bruno Fornaroli and Alex Lee and qualifying for the Round of 16.{{cite news|url=https://www.australiacup.com.au/news/australia-cup-2024-round-32-matchday-4-review|title=WATCH: South Melbourne headline Victorian hatrick, Olympic Kingsway break West Aussie hoodoo|last=Gibson|first=Tim|website=Australia Cup|date=6 August 2024}} Two weeks later, Victory began their Round of 16 match away against NWS Spirit winning 4–0 through another two goals by Nishan Velupillay, and further goals by Ryan Teague and Nikos Vergos.{{cite news|url=https://www.australiacup.com.au/news/watch-moreton-city-produce-remarkable-glory-comeback-victory-cruise-through-oakleigh-claim|title=WATCH: Moreton City remarkable comeback, Victory cruise through, Oakleigh win on penalties|last=Gibson|first=Tim|website=Australia Cup|date=28 August 2024}} The quarter-final match away against Moreton City Excelsior saw Victory win 4–0; so far all three cup matches scoring four goals, as Nikos Vergos scored two goals, and Kasey Bos and Nishan Velupillay each scoring one.{{cite news|url=https://www.australiacup.com.au/news/australia-cup-2024-quarter-final-matchday-3-review|title=WATCH: Macarthur defeat Oakleigh, Victory down Moreton City to lock in semi-finals|last=Gibson|first=Tim|website=Australia Cup|date=16 September 2024}} The semi-final against Adelaide United was Victory's first home tie in this Australia Cup run, which was won 1–0 through a late winner by Jordi Valadon.{{cite news|url=https://www.australiacup.com.au/news/watch-valadon-strike-steers-victory-final|title=WATCH: Valadon strike steers Victory to Australia Cup Final|last=Gibson|first=Tim|website=Australia Cup|date=22 September 2024}}
=Macarthur FC=
Macarthur FC also began their Australia Cup run in the Round of 32 playing away against O'Connor Knights; despite conceding the opening goal, came back to win 2–1 through goals by Jake Hollman and Luke Brattan to qualify for the Round of 16.{{cite news|url=https://www.australiacup.com.au/news/australia-cup-2024-round-32-matchday-2-review|title=WATCH: Cannons cupset Sydney again, Moreton City, Hume City and Macarthur FC advance|last=Gibson|first=Tim|website=Australia Cup|date=1 August 2024}} Macarthur versed A-League Men side away against the Newcastle Jets which was won 4–3 after falling behind twice as Valère Germain and Marin Jakoliš both scored two goals.{{cite news|url=https://www.australiacup.com.au/news/watch-bulls-come-back-another-a-league-thriller-jankovic-inspires-dramatic-south-melbourne-win|title=WATCH: Bulls comeback in all A-League thriller, Jankovic inspires dramatic South Melbourne win|last=Gibson|first=Tim|website=Australia Cup|date=25 August 2024}} Macarthur travelled to Melbourne for their quarter-final and semi-final match-ups. First Macarthur took on Oakleigh Cannons away and won 1–0 through an early goal by Valère Germain. The semi-final was up against South Melbourne away and also won 1–0 through a Valère Germain penalty in the 84th minute who was also sent off in the last minutes of the match.{{cite news|url=https://www.australiacup.com.au/news/watch-bulls-seal-final-spot-dramatic-south-melbourne-tie|title=WATCH: Bulls book Australia Cup Final spot overcoming intense Lakeside atmosphere|last=Gibson|first=Tim|website=Australia Cup|date=22 September 2024}}
Match
=Background=
{{expand section|date=September 2024}}
=Details=
| date = 29 September 2024
| time = 19:10 AEST
| team1 = Melbourne Victory (1)
| score = 0–1
| report = https://www.australiacup.com.au/match/melbourne-victory-v-macarthur-fc-australia-cup-30-09-2024/22278653
| team2 = Macarthur FC (1)
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
- Jakoliš {{goal|58}}
| stadium = AAMI Park
| location = Melbourne
| attendance = 13,289
| referee = Jonathan Barreiro
}}
| width=92% |
| {{Football kit
|pattern_la = |pattern_b = |pattern_ra = |pattern_sh = |pattern_so = |leftarm = 000947 |body = 000947 |rightarm = 000947 |shorts = 000947 |socks = 000947 |title = Melbourne Victory }} |{{Football kit |pattern_la = |pattern_b = |pattern_ra = |pattern_sh = |pattern_so = |leftarm = FFFFFF |body = FFFFFF |rightarm = FFFFFF |shorts = 000000 |socks = FFFFFF |title = Macarthur FC }} |
| width="100%"
|valign="top" width="40%"| {| style="font-size:90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" | |||
| width=25| | width=25| | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 25 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Jack Duncan | |
| RB | 2 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Jason Geria | |
| CB | 5 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Brendan Hamill | |
| CB | 21 | {{flagicon|POR}} Roderick Miranda | |
| LB | 28 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Kasey Bos | |
| CM | 14 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Jordi Valadon | |
| CM | 8 | {{flagicon|FRA}} Zinédine Machach | {{suboff|79}} |
| CM | 6 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Ryan Teague | |
| RW | 27 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Reno Piscopo | {{suboff|66}} |
| CF | 9 | {{flagicon|GRE}} Nikos Vergos | {{suboff|66}} |
| LW | 17 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Nishan Velupillay | |
| colspan=3|Substitutes: | |||
| GK | 40 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Christian Siciliano | |
| DF | 3 | {{flagicon|CIV}} Adama Traoré | |
| DF | 22 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Joshua Rawlins | |
| MF | 18 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Fabian Monge | |
| FW | 10 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Bruno Fornaroli | {{subon|66}} |
| FW | 19 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Jing Reec | {{subon|66}} |
| FW | 35 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Jordan Hoey | {{subon|79}} |
| colspan=3|Head Coach: | |||
| colspan=3|{{flagicon|AUS}} Patrick Kisnorbo |
|valign="top"|
|valign="top" width="50%"|
| style="font-size:90%; margin:auto" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" | ||||
| width=25| | width=25| | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 12 | {{flagicon|POL}} Filip Kurto | ||
| CB | 6 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Tomislav Uskok | ||
| CB | 5 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Matthew Jurman | ||
| CB | 13 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Ivan Vujica | ||
| RM | 20 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Kealey Adamson | ||
| CM | 26 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Luke Brattan | ||
| CM | 22 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Liam Rose | ||
| LM | 18 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Walter Scott | ||
| RW | 8 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Jake Hollman | {{yel|65}} | {{suboff|73}} |
| CF | 11 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Jed Drew | {{suboff|80}} | |
| LW | 44 | {{flagicon|CRO}} Marin Jakoliš | {{yel|55}} | {{suboff|90+5}} |
| colspan=3|Substitutes: | ||||
| GK | 40 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Franklin Jan | ||
| DF | 16 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Oliver Jones | {{subon|90+5}} | |
| DF | 27 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Joshua Damevski | ||
| DF | 33 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Yianni Nicolaou | ||
| MF | 28 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Ante Vojvodic | ||
| FW | 19 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Ariath Piol | {{subon|80}} | |
| FW | 24 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Dean Bosnjak | {{subon|73}} | |
| colspan=3|Head Coach: | ||||
| colspan=3|{{flagicon|AUS}} Mile Sterjovski |
|}
| style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|style="width:40%; vertical-align:top;"|
|style="width:60%; vertical-align:top;"| Match rules
|
Post-match
Melbourne Victory manager Patrick Kisnorbo stated he omitted star player Daniel Arzani from both the starting lineup and the substitute bench due to experimentation with the squad as a result of Arzani's eventual suspension from the first match of the regular season for yellow card accumulation.{{cite web | url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/australia-cup-final-2024-team-news-melbourne-victory-macarthur-fc-daniel-arzani-explained/ | title=Socceroo left out in Australia Cup Final bombshell as Germain replacement revealed | date=29 September 2024 }} Arzani played a key role in leading Victory to the final, having played in all four matches leading up to the final and contributing two assists in the quarter-final match against Moreton City Excelsior.https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/09/21/australia-cup-semi-finals-a-league-rivalry-set-to-erupt-in-victory-reds-blockbuster/ After the loss in the final, Kisnorbo stated he stood by his decision.https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/other/kisnorbo-stands-by-arzani-final-omission-call/ar-AA1rq4ai However, it was also reported a day after the match that the main reason Arzani was excluded from the matchday squad for the final was rumored to be for the anger he expressed towards Kisnorbo at training during the week, with speculation variously suggesting this was due to him discovering he wouldn't be in the starting team, while also being reported it was due to him being offered to other clubs during the offseason.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/daniel-arzanis-outburst-not-tolerated-by-melbourne-victory-coach-patrick-kisnorbo/news-story/1a6e17384e469a7b94d6491b827ec62c Days following the final, Arzani was included in Tony Popovic's inaugural Australia squad for World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan, but was not named in the matchday squad against China and was an unused substitute against Japan.{{cite web | url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/tony-popovic-names-his-inaugural-subway-socceroos-squad | title=Tony Popovic names his inaugural Subway Socceroos squad | Socceroos | date=4 October 2024 }} After returning to Melbourne from international duty, Arzani was replaced in Victory's starting lineup by Kisnorbo for Reno Piscopo in the ensuing matches, and was not called up by Popovic for the next set of World Cup qualifying matches in November.{{cite web | url=https://roundballaustralia.com.au/arzani-seizes-opportunity-as-victory-produce-payback-against-macarthur/ | title=Arzani seizes 'opportunity' as Victory produce payback against Macarthur }}{{cite web | url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/socceroos-squad-confirmed-november-saudi-arabia-bahrain | title=Subway Socceroos Squad for November World Cup Qualifiers confirmed | Socceroos }}
Macarthur's Australia Cup triumph was their second silverware in club history following their 2022 Australia Cup win.{{cite web | url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domestic_leagues/news/asean_wrap_macarthur_lift_australia_cup_.html | title=ASEAN Wrap: Macarthur lift Australia Cup }}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{FFA Cup}}
{{2023–24 in Australian soccer}}
{{2024–25 in Australian soccer}}
{{Melbourne Victory FC matches}}
{{Macarthur FC matches}}