Central Coast Mariners have been drawn against NPL Victoria club Heidelberg United in the Australia Cup Round of 32.
The Mariners are aiming to lift the trophy for the first time in our history, with Mark Jackson’s team looking to go one better than the club’s best ever showing, reaching the final of the 2021 competition.
Off to Melbourne we go for our Australia Cup Round of 32 match. Further details to be confirmed! ✈️
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) June 19, 2024
See you soon, Heidelberg United! 👋#CCMFC #Back2Back #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/70QjMzRJtW
Who are Heidelberg United?
Heidelberg were formed 66 years ago (1958) and compete in the Victoria NPL. They currently sit fourth on the ladder, eight points behind leaders South Melbourne after 18 games.
Full fixture details are still to be confirmed, with the Mariners likely to face Heidelberg at their home, Olympic Park in Heidelberg West, Northern Melbourne.
The 12,000 capacity stadium was originally built for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne and has been home to Heidelberg for most of the club’s history.
The Warriors enjoyed a real spell of success in NPL Victoria between 2017 and 2019, as they were Premiers three seasons running, whilst also becoming National NPL Champions in 2017 and winning the NPL Victoria Grand Final in 2018.
However, they have not won a title since 2019.
Route to the Round of 32 and Australia Cup history
Heidelberg have cruised to the Round of 32 for the third season in a row. They entered the competition in the Fourth Preliminary Round in Victoria back in March, thrashing Sunbury United 8-0 to kickstart their journey.
They have since defeated Moreland Zebras 4-2, Altona Magic 0-4 and confirmed their place in the Round of 32 with a 6-0 win away to Bentleigh Greens last week.
Heidelberg’s best ever showing in the Australia Cup is reaching the Quarter-Finals, which they have achieved on four occasions in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2023.
One of the most notable fixtures in Heidelberg’s history came in this competition back in 2015, as they were drawn against Melbourne City. That game enticed a record crowd of 11,372 at Olympic Village and featured former Greece captain and European Championship winner Kostas Katsouranis, who signed for Heidelberg before retiring two weeks later.
In 2017, another one of their finest moments came in this competition as they defeated Perth Glory 1-0 at Olympic Park, thanks to a goal from Kenjok Athiu.
The last time Heidelberg drew an A-League team was at this stage of the competition in 2022, Brisbane Roar ran out 3-1 winners at Olympic Park.
A familiar face in their current squad!
Heidelberg have seven former A-League players in their current squad, including one former Mariner in Yaren Sozer.
Yaren was a popular figure at the club, arriving in October 2021 and departing as an A-League Champion after the 2022/23 season.
Mariners 🤝 Heidelberg
This Round of 32 clash will be the first time Central Coast Mariners and Heidelberg United have ever met before in a competitive fixture, but there is some friendly history between the two clubs.
This season, Heidelberg helped out our A-League Women’s team, kindly allowing us to use their facilities to prepare for our Liberty A-League Elimination Final with Melbourne Victory, at short notice after our pre-arranged training venue became unavailable.
