Murray United kicks off its inaugural NPL1 season in 2015, and it could be against a team that knocks off an A-league side. Melbourne side St Albans Saints have been pitted against a glory side that has been ruthless in the transfer market. Perth, who have singed Socceroos Mitch Nichols, Ruben Zadkovich and Richard Garcia along with former Premier League and current Irish international Andy Keogh, are intent on winning their first piece of silverware since the NSL. However they will have to beat a St Albans side that currently sit 4th on the NPL1 ladder and boast former Scottish Premier League player, Ryan McGuffie.
Victorian Club Bentleigh Greens will also feature in the round of 16, as they take on former NSL, now NSW Premier league side, Sydney Olympic. The 3rd placed NPL side will have it all to play for as they look to cement a quarterfinals birth. Meanwhile Victorian 3rd tier team, South Springvale, continues to live the dream as they travel to Queensland to face NPL side Palm Beach Sharks. The win would be monumental for the club, already knocking out Northern NSW side South Cardiff.
Powerhouse A-league team Melbourne Victory will face ACT’s cream of the crop as they take on Tuggeranong United. United is the only ACT based team in the cup and well deserving of the title. Their player history has seen Carl Valeri, Nikolai Toppor-Stanley, and Celtic young gun Tom Rogic play for the club. However it will be tough for the 2013 Federation cup winners as they take on a Victory side that put together a comprehensive display in the Round of 32.
The other matches rounding out the draw are just as tantalising, with Adelaide City to play the Brisbane Strikers, Olympic FC to face the Mariners, a Sydney derby for the ages as Sydney FC will take on Sydney United 58 and finally the all A-league battle will pit last years champions the Brisbane Roar up against Adelaide United.
Image courtesy of FourFourTwo.
