The 2023 Football South Australia Federation Cup, also known as the Australia Cup South Australian preliminary rounds until the semi-finals, was the 110th running of the Federation Cup, the main soccer knockout cup competition in South Australia. The competition also functioned as part of the 2023 Australia Cup preliminary rounds, with the two finalists qualifying for the main knockout competition.
North Eastern MetroStars were champions for the sixth time, defeating Campbelltown City 3–2 after extra time in the final. Adelaide City were the defending champions, losing 1–0 in the quarter-finals to Campbelltown City.
Schedule RoundDraw dateMatch datesNo. of fixturesTeamsNew entries this roundFirst round20 January10–12 February1446 → 3228Second round20 February16–19 March1632 → 1617Third round22 March14–16 April816 → 8NoneQuarter-finals17 April9–16 May48 → 4NoneSemi-finals19 May31 May–7 June24 → 2NoneFinal—24 June12 → 1None
Teams
A total of 46 teams participated in the competition, 41 from the Greater Adelaide area, two from the Adelaide Hills region, and one from Gawler, the Limestone Coast and Port Pirie. National Premier Leagues South Australia, State League One and State League Two represent levels 2–4 on the unofficial Australian league system, and are required to participate in the Federation Cup. The South Australian Regional Leagues represent level 5. The South Australian Amateur Soccer League is not represented on the national league system. Adelaide United Youth are not eligible for the tournament, as the senior team entered the Australia Cup competition at the Round of 32.
National Premier League (2) Adelaide City Adelaide Comets Adelaide Olympic Campbelltown City Croydon FC FK Beograd Modbury Jets North Eastern MetroStars South Adelaide Panthers Sturt Lions West Adelaide State League One (3) Adelaide Blue Eagles Adelaide Cobras Adelaide Croatia Raiders Adelaide Victory Cumberland United Eastern United Fulham United Para Hills Knights Playford City Patriots Port Adelaide Pirates Vipers FC West Torrens Birkalla State League Two (4) Adelaide Hills Hawks Adelaide University Gawler Eagles Modbury Vista Mount Barker United Noarlunga United Northern Demons Pontian Eagles Salisbury United Seaford Rangers The Cove Western Strikers Regional Leagues (5) Collegiate Adelaide University Grads Blue Pembroke Old Scholars Rostrevor Old Collegians Limestone Coast Naracoorte United Amateur League (-) Elizabeth Downs Elizabeth Grove Ghan United Para Hills East Para Hills West Pitbulls FC Tea Tree Gully City
Bracket
First round The first round of the Federation Cup was also the third round of the 2023 Australia Cup preliminary rounds. Seven teams received a bye to the second round: Adelaide Croatia Raiders (3), Elizabeth Downs (-), Elizabeth Grove (-), Noarlunga United (4), Pontian Eagles (4), Salisbury United (4) and Tea Tree Gully City (-). The round included teams from all levels except the National Premier League.
All times are in ACDT
Second round The second round of the Federation Cup was also the fourth round of the 2023 Australia Cup preliminary rounds, featuring 21 teams from the previous round and the 11 teams from the National Premier Leagues South Australia.
All times are in ACDT
Third round The third round of the Federation Cup was also the fifth round of the 2023 Australia Cup preliminary rounds.
All times are in ACST.
Quarter-finals The quarter-finals of the Federation Cup was also the sixth round of the 2023 Australia Cup preliminary rounds.
All times are in ACST
Semi-finals The semi-finals of the Federation Cup was also the seventh round of the 2023 Australia Cup preliminary rounds, with the two winners qualifying for the 2023 Australia Cup.
All times are in ACST
Final
Top goalscorers RankPlayerClubGoals1 Michael CittadiniNorth Eastern MetroStars62 Austin AyoubiNorth Eastern MetroStars5 Katsuyoshi KimishimaAdelaide City Yiannis NestorasNorthern Demons5 Ninko BericFK Beograd4 Hamish GowNorth Eastern MetroStars Gonzalo RodriguezSturt Lions Anthony TureWest Torrens Birkalla913 players3
See also 2023 Football South Australia season
References