Head coach Alen Stajcic has named his extended squad for Tuesday night’s Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 fixture against Heidelberg United FC.
Fresh from a valuable pre-season trip to Indonesia, the Western Sydney Wanderers are set to resume their Hahn Australia Cup campaign.
The squad gained crucial minutes in an international friendly against powerhouse Persib Bandung, testing themselves in front of a lively home crowd. While the 1-0 scoreline didn’t fall in their favour, the match served its purpose in sharpening combinations and match fitness ahead of the new season.
That groundwork paid off in the Round of 32, where the Wanderers swept aside Peninsula Power with a 3-0 win. Bozhidar Kraev made an instant impact, striking twice before half-time, while new signing Kosta Barbarouses capped off the performance with a composed finish to seal the result.
Their opponents, Heidelberg United, come into the clash brimming with confidence after eliminating Weston Bears 2-0. Asahi Yokokawa’s opener midway through the first half rewarded a period of sustained pressure, and Max Bisetto’s late goal on the counter ensured safe passage to the next round.
Sitting atop the NPL Victoria ladder, Heidelberg will see this fixture as the perfect opportunity to measure themselves against top-tier opposition.
With both sides buoyed by recent results, the Round of 16 promises an intense contest under the lights in Heidelberg. The Wanderers will be out to extend their Cup run, while the hosts will aim to make the most of home advantage and cause a major upset.
2025 Hahn Australia Cup Squad: Round of 16
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: Gabriel Cleur, Alex Gersbach, Alex Bonetig, Mohamed Al-Taay, Alou Kuol, Steven Ugarkovic, Kosta Barbarouses, Marcus Younis, Phillip Cancar, Jarrod Carluccio, Ruon Tongyik, Oscar Priestman, Lawrence Thomas, Aydan Hammond, Anthony Pantazopoulos, Bozhidar Kraev, Nate Barrie, Josh Brillante, Brandon Borrello, Jordan Holmes, Aidan Simmons, Ben Mewett, Ricky Fransen, Abdul Abdul-Rahman, Tristan Vidackovic.
