Moreton Bay United will join some of the biggest footballing names in the country for tonight’s Australia Cup national Round of 32 draw.
It is only the second time Jets have reached this stage, having beaten three NPL sides and an FQPL1 promotion-chaser in the 2023 preliminary rounds.
We are one of four Queensland qualifiers – Gold Coast Knights, Lions and Peninsula Power complete the quartet.
All go into the hat with Australia’s professional A-League sides, semi-professional giants from Victoria and NSW and representatives of every other state.
The Round of 32 draw is at 7pm tonight, streamed live on 10 Play, the official Australia Cup Facebook page and Football Australia YouTube accounts.
There is only one condition – if an A-League club is drawn against an NPL side, the NPL club will be at home team.
Jets’ head coach Cameron Millar said a home tie would be “great” so the whole club could be “part of the next round”.
“I am really proud of the playing group and staff for their efforts in getting our club back on the national stage,” he said.
“It has been a tough cup run so far and we’re motivated to see how far we can go. We’re looking forward to getting together for the live draw on Wednesday night.
“A home draw would be great so our (MBU) community can be a part of the next round.
“On behalf of the men’s senior team I would like to thank all of our sponsors, members and supporters for their continued support this season.”
At the same stage six years ago, Jets beat Broadmeadow Magic, from northern NSW, 4-2 in extra time, after one of the greatest games seen at Wolter Park.
And there are still many links to that famous night (August 2, 2017).
Declan Smith - headed our fourth goal and is now Jets’ captain.
Rhys Gwynn-Jones – played in defence and is still a key part of our back line.
Lachie Strogusz - scored our second goal, back at Jets and playing after injury.
Cameron Millar – played upfront against Magic, is now Jets' head coach
Dave Harris – assistant coach to Adam Piddick in 2017. Now assistant to Cameron.
Sam Dickinson - our right back against Magic, is now coach of Jets’ Under 23s.
And ... Paul Mikula, scorer of our third goal against Magic, returned to Wolter Park, this season and coaching the ACE Under 23s.
Jets' bowed out in the Round of 16 to Gold Coast City, who won 1-0 at Wolter Park.
This season, 775 clubs entered the Australia Cup. From there the numbers have been whittled down to the last 32.
Round of 32 matches will be televised on scheduled “rest days” within the FIFA Women’s World Cup, being held in Australia and New Zealand (July 20-August 20)
Round of 32 qualifiers:
A-League (10): Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne City, Sydney, Wellington Phoenix, Western Sydney Wanderers, Western United.
Playoffs – Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory (July 17); Perth v Macarthur (July 18).
Queensland (4): Gold Coast Knights, Lions, Moreton Bay United, Peninsula Power
New South Wales (6): Apia Leichhardt, Broadmeadow Magic, Edgeworth Eagles, Inter Lions, Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sydney United 58
Victoria (5): Goulburn Valley Suns, Heidelberg United, Melbourne Knights, Oakleigh Cannons, Northcote City
South Australia (2): Campbell Town City, Metrostars
West Australia (2): Floreat Athena, Inglewood United
Tasmania (1): Devonport City Strikers
ACT (1): Canberra Croatia
Northern Territory (1): Hellenic Athletic
Jets' SEQ 2023 Preliminary Rounds:
Rd 7 – MBU 2 Gold Coast Utd (NPL) 1
Rd 6 – MBU 7 Brisbane Strikers (FQPL 1) 1
Rd 5 – MBU 5 Olympic (NPL) 0
Rd 4 – MBU 2 Sunshine Coast Wanderers (NPL) 0