Macarthur FC are taking aim at Australia Cup glory once again this season as the Bulls look to add to their 2022 title.
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Their experienced Polish goalkeeper Filip Kurto was a part of Dwight Yorke’s winning side two years ago and whilst he said it’s hard to compare different Cup runs, the target is the same – win the Australia Cup.
“Every Cup run is different, in fact every game is different, so it's very hard to compare to past seasons,” he said.
“But one thing is the same, we want to do our job and get to the Final, and of course win the Cup, this is our goal.”
He did admit though that the experience Macarthur have in the latter stages of the competition is a good help going into the Semi Finals this weekend.
“Playing in this stage of the competition before gives you something extra, you know how it feels and what to do, so it's always good to have this experience behind you.”
Alongside Kurto, Macarthur have four other players who were involved in that Australia Cup Final 2022 winning squad.
Those players are Tomislav Uskok, Ivan Vujica, the recently returned Daniel Da Silva and Jake Hollman – and Kurto believes the experienced players will help the rest of the squad going into the final four.
“We have a good mix between the young players and experienced players and our club, and everybody is keen to help the young players if they struggle, but they are very talented, so everything is in a good way here,” he said.
The Bulls are aiming to rebound from an early A-League Men Finals exit last season where they lost in the Elimination Final 4-0 to Sydney FC.
Over the off-season the club re-tooled and made an impressive start through three Australia Cup matches so far.
Two of those new signings, Marin Jakoliš and Luke Brattan, have hit the ground running with Jakolis scoring twice and providing three assists, while Brattan added his name to the scoresheet against O'Connor Knights in the Round of 32.
Heading into the Quarter Finals Jakolis had made the joint-most accurate final third passes in the competition (44), with Luke Brattan’s 40 also ranking fourth, illustrating the buy in from the squad to win a second Australia Cup for the club.
“You always play competitions to win, and our goal is always to win, win each game and then the tournament,” he said.
“We participate in this because we want to win it and we want to get the trophy up and play next year again in the Asian Champions League.”
Kurto added that the Australia Cup is treated with plenty of respect at Macarthur as the players all enjoy the higher stakes involved in competitive matches over pre-season friendlies.
“It's always better to play the games for a stake instead of a friendly games, these Australia Cup games add more pressure and is similar to A-League games,” he said.
For a goalkeeper, that pressure obviously comes in the form of shots on target, and in the last round Kurto made a very impressive nine saves.
Two of which were quick, reactive saves in the top corner and truly his performance kept Macarthur in the lead while keeping newly crowned NPL Men's Victoria Champions Oakleigh Cannons at bay.
“I just want to save every shot, it is simple like this for me, it doesn't matter if the ball is going in the middle or the top corner, I just try to save it, I do everything I can to stop it,” he said.
One striker that Kurto will not have to worry about in the Semi Final against South Melbourne is Harrison Sawyer.
The joint 2024 NPL Men's Victoria Golden Boot winner has four Preliminary Round goals in addition to two goals in the Final Rounds, including the winner against Wellington Phoenix.
That form earned Sawyer a move to Macarthur effective immediately ahead of the A-League Men 2024/25 campaign.
Kurto said: “I think it's good that he's on our team right now, he’s a very good player, and he’s had a very good season, so I'm glad he joined our team.
“It’s just a coincidence he’s signed now, just a coincidence.”
Coincidence or not, Sawyer will attend the match, but as he is cup-tied he will not be playing for either side. Just a little extra spice for what is already looking like a very exciting Semi Final match.
South Melbourne FC will aim to become the second ever Member Federation side to reach the Australia Cup Final, while Macarthur will be trying to claim their second title which came over the very first Member Federation club to reach the Final, Sydney United 58 FC.
The match kicks off at 6pm AEST at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park on Sunday, 22 September. Watch live and free on 10 Play.
Match Details
South Melbourne FC v Macarthur FC
Kick-off: 6:00pm AEST
Lakeside Stadium
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