Cup Round 3 Preview: Gawler Eagles vs Adelaide City

Adelaide City will be determined to bounce back from a first defeat of the RAA National Premier League season when it returns to Federation Cup action Friday night.

The Black and Whites face State League Two North outfit Gawler Eagles in the Third Round of the competition (Round of 16), looking to make amends after a shock 1-0 loss to Sturt Lions last weekend.

Head Coach Vas Parhas was under no illusions the match would be easy, warning the Eagles will be fully motivated to cause an upset, and it was up to his players to thwart those endeavours.

“This is going to be a really important game and they’ll be tough opposition no doubt,” he told Adelaide City’s official website.

“They’ll be absolutely up for this, it will be sort of like, almost a grand final I’d imagine is the approach they’ll be taking to this game.

“They’ll throw everything at us, so we absolutely will not be taking it lightly and we’ll need to be at our best, because it’s obviously a really important competition for the club.

“And every single game, regardless of the opposition we have to be at our best.”

And after suffering their maiden defeat of the season against Sturt, Parhas admitted he was keen to see how his side would respond and a test of their character.

“Good sides do bounce back quickly and can turn things around fast,” he added.

“So that’s exactly what we’re looking for the boys to do. It’s a different sort of

environment, a cup game, but it doesn’t matter – it’s a must win game.

“Every league game we play for us we take a must win attitude into it.

“So even though it’s a cup game, it’s very important that players are playing for their spots and playing for silverware ultimately. So it’s crucial that we put last week’s game behind us.”

City began its cup campaign with a 3-0 home win over Seaford Rangers before dispatching Adelaide Olympic 4-1 at the beginning of April.

The Eagles, who currently sit second from bottom in State League Two North, overcame Mount Gambier side Blue Lake 2-0 in the state’s southeast and later beat Tea Tree Gully 2-1 in the Second Round.

City will be hopeful of continuing its strong form in the competition to keep the dream alive of returning to the national stage via the Hahn Australia Cup in its 80th-year anniversary.

That carrot is something that is certainly driving Parhas and the team.

“It would be absolutely amazing and something the club is committed to doing, is getting back on the national stage,” Parhas stated.

“I would love nothing more and I know the players would love nothing more than to be on that stage and potentially showcasing our club again against an A-League opposition.

“That’s a fire that burns pretty bright in all of us, and to do it in the 80th year would be obviously extra special because there’s already a bit of attention on the club this year.

“So anything we can do as a playing group and coaching group to enhance the profile of the club, that’s what we want to do and this competition gives us an opportunity to do that.”

To reach the Hahn Australia Cup for the first time since 2022, City will need to advance to the final of the Federation Cup.

Match Details

Gawler Eagles vs Adelaide City

Federation Cup – Round Three

Friday, 24 April 2026

8:00pm

Karbeethan Reserve