2025 Waratah Cup Final Preview: Sydney United 58 v Northern Tigers FC
The stage is set as Football NSW’s historic Waratah Cup Final is ready for take off this Wednesday evening when NPL Men’s NSW giants Sydney United 58 tackle League One Men’s outfit Northern Tigers FC at Valentine Sports Park in what promises to be an exciting affair.
The game is set to highlight the ever-increasing quality of New South Wales-based football, with United 58 – as ever – a formidable force in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, and Northern Tigers an exciting uprising club at the top of the League One Men’s competition.
United 58 began their campaign with 4-1 and 5-0 victories over Glebe Gorillas and Tarrawanna Blueys FC respectively.
Next, they took on Sydney Olympic in a contender for match of the season, where a last-gasp equaliser from Leroy Jennings took the match to penalties after a brilliant 120 minutes of football.
The shoot-out featured an astonishing 19 goals, with United 58 prevailing 10-9 to move closer to the Waratah Cup final.
They then beat Granville Rage to qualify for the Australia Cup Round of 32 and the Waratah Cup Semi-final, where they beat SD Raiders 2-0 to progress to the big dance.
Northern Tigers opened their qualifying journey with 2-0 and 3-0 victories over Forest Killarney FC and Lindfield FC, before dispatching League Two Men’s side Parramatta FC 4-0 in a dominant performance.
A 4-1 win over Cringila Lions took them just one game off the Waratah Cup semi-final, where they comprehensively beat fellow League One Men’s outfit Hills United by the same scoreline as their previous encounter.
Their Waratah Cup final was a sensational fixture which saw them shock NPL Men’s NSW juggernaut APIA Leichhardt 3-2.
After opening the scoring early in the second half, a three-minute spell saw them concede twice to their opponents.
However, Northern Tigers remained resolute and found an equaliser in the 80th minute thanks to Alexander Brown.
And just as the match looked to be heading for extra-time, Tigers popped up with a winner, with Kai Denton slotting the ball home to send them into raptures – and the Cup final.
Denton will be a key player in this fixture, having scored 16 goals from 20 matches in the league – the most of any League One Men’s player.
Meanwhile, his brother Bodie will be important in goal for Tigers, while Koya Nakano will be a key cog at the back with his composure on the ball and intensity without it along with Alexander Brown. Connor Rose will also be one to watch out for with his mazy runs into the box that could trouble United 58.
United 58 will feature a star-studded side, including exciting midfielder Carlos De Oliveira, who will be looking to tear the game open with his dribbling and creativity.
Michael Glassock will be a solid presence to build from as will club skipper Adrian Vlastelica, while Matthew Hatch will look to hurt Tigers with his scintillating runs down the left flank.
One key absentee will be United 58’s prolific scorer Patrick Antelmi who is currently on holidays in Europe however they will have the likes of Mason Wells, Leroy Jennings and Alessandro Lacalandra to fill the void.
Tigers, at the time of writing, are top of their league, a point clear of second place as they continue to push for promotion and join up with United 58 in the league above in 2026.
United 58 are sixth in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, currently holding the last finals position, a point clear of seventh place.
The famous New South Wales side will be looking to make it six Waratah Cup trophies, having last won the tournament in 2023, while Tigers will be aiming to become Champions for the first time in their history.
So make sure to save the night of Wednesday, the 2nd of July, to watch two formidable forces fight for one of Australian football’s most prestigious awards.
If you can’t make the game, tune into Football NSW’s YouTube Channel to watch the broadcast live and for free, with commentary from Nikola Pozder and Will Konstantinidis.
Sydney United 58 FC: Vedran Janjetovic, Bailey Rule, Adrian Vlastelica, Anthony Tomelic, Mario Shabow, Carlos De Oliveira, Matthew Hatch, Michael Glassock, Aiden Milicevic, Mason Wells, Leroy Jennings, Stephan De Robillard, Luke Zuvela, Alessandro Lacalandra, Josip Orlovic, Thomas Makko, Liam McGing
Northern Tigers FC: Oliver Scott, Cole Mutton, Jesse Spang, Alexander Brown, Kai Denton, Oliver Franz, Lachlan Mills, Taliesin Dorigo, Lachlan Lloyd, Connor Rose, Brodie Denton, Elliot Carwardine, Jonathan Green, Jakub Prajza, Guy Johnson, Javier Betancourt, Aden Gardner
Match Details
Wednesday 2 July
Sydney United 58 FC vs Northern Tigers FC
Wednesday 2 July
7:00pm kick-off
Valentine Sports Park Field 1
*Deploy Sports is the official ball sponsor of the Waratah Cup
Tickets must be purchased online prior to the event.
Waratah Cup Final – Wednesday 2nd July 2025 at Valentine Sports Park (Field 1)
Sydney United 58 FC V Northern Tigers FC
Gates Open at 6:30pm
Kick Off at 7:00pm
There will be NO Pass Outs
Food and Drink will be available to purchase on the Concourse and at the Kiosk
FNSW Waratah and Australia Cup Shoot at Valentine Sports Park (Photo: Damian Briggs/FNSW)
