After a 120 minutes that looked like it could have gone forever without finding a winning goal, Central Coast and Sydney United played out a stunning penalty shootout where no one could miss – until 17-year-old Callum McCaskey was the unfortunate one to hit the woodwork with the 22nd shot in a gripping shootout to see the National Premier Leagues club win 11-10.
The defeat for Central Coast, after it finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, is the fourth time they have been the victim of a Cupset at the hands of lower tier opposition in the history of the Australia Cup – the equal most out of any A-League club.
Their exit follows both Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets being eliminated on Tuesday night.
“It definitely got the heart racing,” Miro Vlastelica beamed on Paramount.
He continued: “It is brilliant, this is why we do it. A club with so much history, support…it just keeps rolling and rolling and we go again.”
After an opening goal from Oli Lavale, the hosts sent it to extra-time courtesy of Michael Krslovic’s 90th minute equaliser.
The Round of 32 meeting between the National Premier League NSW giants and rebuilding A-League outfit in John Hutchinson’s first competitive game as coach eventually went to spot kicks and not even the exploits of Socceroos’ penalty shootout icon Andrew Redmayne could help the Mariners in a shootout of the highest quality, where a number of teenagers stepped up and held their nerve.
“Both sides didn’t really go and win this game in normal time,” observed Paramount pundit Erik Paartalu.
“That one chance going through the middle …to jump on and tuck it away, was a really neat finish…but (Sydney United) did not stop peppering the 18-yard box.”
Once it got to a shootout, Paartalu beamed: “I hope they are recording this for future generations – this penalty shootout is exactly how you should be taking them.
“The goalkeepers are getting no where near them…absolutely incredible – this game could be going to midnight.”
As the NPL club, who sit third in their league at the moment, celebrated with their fans, Paartalu concluded: “That is why the Australia Cup is so important.
“Look at these scenes. Look at the crowd, how much it means to them, they’ve turned up midweek, cold winter’s night to watch Sydney United continue to win. Another Cupset!”
Elsewhere, Miguel Di Pizio and Brandon Borello helped Western Sydney into the Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Tigers FC in Canberra, while Mile Sterjovski’s Macarthur prevailed 3-0 over Azzurri in Darwin thanks to a volley from Michael Pratezina, before Ben Gibson and Connor Pain sealed the win.
Miguel Di Pizio’s clever finish breaks the deadlock in Canberra 🙌
The new @wswanderersfc signing gets the perfect start in red & black!
📺 Watch Live: https://t.co/y6ZkO1HB9a or stream on 10 #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/Ib6Pi7mluU
— Hahn Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) July 22, 2026
A SILKY @wswanderersfc move sees Brandon Borello double the visitors lead 😤
📺 Watch Live: https://t.co/y6ZkO1HB9a or stream on 10 #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/ronkV0OLWY
— Hahn Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) July 22, 2026
In Matiland, Fremantle City came from a goal down for a famous win for the club, prevailing 2-1 with a freakish late goal from Ilyas Akhmedov.
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