Sydney United 58 crowned 2025 Waratah Cup Champions

Sydney United 58 have won their eighth Waratah Cup final with a 1-0 win over Northern Tigers at Valentine Sports Park.
United 58 experienced the perfect start to the final, with the home side taking the lead thanks to a seventh minute goal from Luke Zuvela.
Receiving on the right flank, Bailey Rule advanced into open space, before finding Mason Wells ahead of him.
The exciting winger took on his marker, dribbling down to the byline and manufactured space for a cutback, which was executed to perfection.
The pass found the run of Zuvela in the box, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net, with an accurate finish that went between two Tigers defenders and past goalkeeper Bodie Denton.
Following the goal, both sides traded periods of possession, where they looked sharp but lacked the incisiveness to create any significant opportunities.
The next noteworthy chance of the match came in the 24th minute, where a sliding interception from Leroy Jennings fell to the path of Wells, who saw a powerful shot curve wide of the post.
Three minutes later, Tigers had their first chance of the match, with a good layoff from Kai Denton finding Jonathan Green, who saw his menacing effort drag just off target.
The final was beginning to open up, with United 58 creating another opportunity shortly after.
Picking up the ball on the right, Aidan Milicevic hit a beautiful, diagonal pass into the path of Jennings, who had made a crafty run into the box.
The winger controlled the ball to set up a shot on his second touch, but he was denied by the onrushing Bodie Denton.
In the 43rd minute, Jennings had another opportunity, with this one a strong chance to double United 58’s lead.
A forward pass from Milicevic found the feet of Zuvela on the edge of the box, who promptly poked the ball onwards to Jennings.
The winger received the ball with time to measure a strike, but couldn’t find a way around B. Denton, with the goalkeeper making a fantastic save to keep his side well in the match.
Tigers began the second half strongly, impressing with the ball in the first 15 minutes without creating any major chances.
As the match went on, Tigers continued to control possession, but couldn’t find a way around a strong United 58 defence.
In the 68th minute, the League One Men’s side had a decent opportunity, with Connor Rose winning the ball high with United 58 goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic slightly stranded, but the wingback couldn’t find a shot on target.
The story of the second half promptly resumed with Tigers showing noteable quality and composure on the ball, but struggling to convert their possession into consistent chances.
United 58 held on comfortably, and secured an astonishing eighth Waratah Cup title.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 1 (Zuvela 7’)
Northern Tigers FC 0
Wednesday 2 July, 2025
Valentine Sports Park
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris and Matthew Harris
Fourth Official: Eric Saba
Sydney United 58 FC: 21. Vedran Janjetovic, 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica (C), 8. Mario Shabow, 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 11. Matthew Hatch, 17. Michael Glassock, 19. Aidan Milicevic (35. Bashir Alameddine 90+3’), 23. Mason Wells (22. Stephan De Robillard 67’), 32. Leroy Jennings (43. Michael Pratezina 85’), 37. Luke Zuvela (13. Alessandro Lacalandra 67’)
Substitutes Not Used: 14. Liam McGing, 20. Adrian-Jamie Bazina
Yellow Cards: Hatch 45’
Red Cards: None
Northern Tigers FC: 21. Bodie Denton, 2. Oliver Scott, 4. Koya Nakano, 6. Cole Mutton, 7. Jesse Spang, 8. Alexander Brown, 9. Kai Denton, 16. Lachlan Lloyd (13. Lachlan Mills 90+2’), 17. Connor Rose (11. Ryan Attard 75’), 19. Jonathan Green (12. Oliver Franz 45’), 23. Jakub Prajza (14. Taliesin Dorigo 45’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Elliot Carwardine, 33. Guy Johnson
Yellow Cards: Dorigo 82’
Red Cards: None
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)