The 2023 Nike F.C. Cup is set to be the biggest yet with two powerhouse sides set to battle at The Home of the Matildas on Sunday, August 14.
FC Bulleen Lions will be looking to defeat the five-time reigning Champions of the Nike F.C. Cup, Calder United in a heavyweight bout between two of the top NPLW sides.
The Women’s State Knockout Cup has a very young history, as it was only established and first contested in 2012.
Following the success of the Mirabella Cup in 2011, the Women’s State Knockout Cup was started to give female teams from across the state to compete against each other in a knockout format.
Nike first became the naming rights sponsor of the Victorian Women’s State Knockout Cup in 2019, after the tournament was previously named the Team App Cup.
Winners List:
- 2022 - Calder United SC
- 2021 - Calder United SC
- 2019 - Calder United SC
- 2018 - Calder United SC
- 2017 - Calder United SC
- 2016 - Heidelberg United FC
- 2015 - Boroondara Eagles FC
- 2014 - FC Bulleen Lions
- 2013 - Sandringham SC
Head-to-Head
Calder United and Bulleen Lions have faced each other twice in the NPLW this season, with neither side able to come away with the victory.
In Round 10, the match ended in a 1-1 draw with Ava Groba (CU) and Alana Jancevski (BL) both finding the back of the net.
The sides then met again in Round 21, with the match ending in a 0-0 draw as both sides were unable to capitalise on their opportunities on goal.
In their last 10 meetings, Calder United has claimed six victories, while Bulleen’s last triumph came in 2021.
Bulleen Lions
In 2022, Bulleen was eliminated from the Nike F.C. Cup in the Semi-Finals at the hands of Calder United 1-0, after Melissa Taranto managed to find the back of the net in the 80th minute to give her side a 1-0 victory.
Bulleen Lions Head Coach Caitlin Friend believes her side is better equipped to dethrone Calder this time around.
“We are a different side compared to what we have been in the last couple of years,” Friend explained.
“We are absolutely confident in our team right now and we are going into this final in a way better place than we were going into the Semi-Final last year.
“I think the result in the semi last year was 100% deserved, Calder was by far the better team.
“I think Calder will be very scared and intimated by the Bulleen they are going to face this year.”
After losing to Calder in the 2022 NPLW Final and Nike F.C. Cup Semi-Final, Bulleen is finally primed to finally overcome the dominant Calder outfit.
Bulleen sits on top of the NPLW ladder, with only three losses for the season.
The Lions have proved their efficiency in front of goal in recent weeks, however, have only conceded one goal per game this season (NPLW #1).
Perth Glory superstar Alana Jancevski has scored six goals since coming into the fold at the mid-season transfer period, while five players are tied for three goals.
- Nike F.C. Cup matches
- Round 4 – 2-1 v Bundoora United FC
- Round 5 – 4-1 v Boroondara Eagles FC
- QF – 2-0 v Box Hill United SC
- SF – 5-0 v Casey Comets FC
Calder United
Calder United has been the standard bearer for women’s football over the last decade.
The Western United (A-League) affiliated side has won the past five Nike F.C. Cups and defeated their opponents on Sunday in the 2022 Semi-Final.
Calder United Head Coach Helen Winterburn said it’s “pretty exciting” to coach her first Nike F.C. Cup Final.
“I think we are in for a pretty good final,” she said.
“You’ve got two good teams who are playing well with really good induvial players, and I think cup football you never know what can happen on the day.”
After falling away in the first half of the NPLW season, Calder proved the haters wrong, storming into the top four and possibly giving themselves a chance to defend their 2022 NPLW Championship.
Calder was once known for their defensive nature; however, they have become more lethal in front of goal, scoring 46 goals for the season; only behind Boroondara Eagles.
Raquel Deralas leads the club’s Golden Boot race with 11 goals in 11 matches, while Kiewa Hieda is not far behind with nine goals for the season.
- Nike F.C. Cup matches
- Round 4 – 2-1 v Southern United FC
- Round 5 – 2-0 FC Clifton Hill
- QF – 5-2 v Heidelberg United FC
- SF – 2-0 v South Melbourne FC
2023 Nike F.C. Cup Final
FC Bulleen Lions v Calder United SC
Date: Sunday, 13th August
Venue: The Home of the Matildas
Kick-off Time: 5:00 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: NPL.TV and Football Victoria's Facebook/YouTube Channels.