1988 NSL Cup
National Soccer League Cup
Tournament details
CountryAustralia
Dates23 January – 14 August 1988
Teams14
Final positions
ChampionsAPIA Leichhardt (2nd title)
Runner-upBrunswick Juventus
Tournament statistics
Matches played13
Goals scored38 (2.92 per match)
Attendance36,758 (2,828 per match)
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1989 →

The 1988 NSL Cup was the twelfth edition of the NSL Cup, which was the main national association football knockout cup competition in Australia. The NSL Cup was sponsored by Beach Fashions and known as the Beach Fashions Cup for sponsorship purposes.

Sydney Croatia were the defending champions, having defeated South Melbourne to win their first title in the previous year's final, but they were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual winners APIA Leichhardt.[1]

APIA Leichhardt defeated Brunswick Juventus 5–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw in the final to win their second NSL Cup title.[2]

Teams

The NSL Cup was a knockout competition with 14 teams taking part all trying to reach the Final in August 1988.[3] The competition consisted of the 14 teams from the National Soccer League.

Round Main date Number of fixtures Clubs remaining
First round Saturday 23 January 1988 6 14 → 8
Second round Wednesday 17 February 1988 4 8 → 4
Semi-finals Wednesday 6 April 1988 2 4 → 2
Final Sunday 14 August 1988 1 2 → 1

First round

South Melbourne and Sydney Croatia had a bye for the First round.

23 January 1988 Brisbane Lions 5–3Wollongong CityBrisbane
18:00 AEST
  • Lightbrown 17', 90+3'
  • Cummings 22'
  • Stewart ?'
  • Druery ?'
 Report
Stadium: Richlands Stadium
Attendance: 2,855
Referee: Alan Kibbler
23 January 1988 Footscray JUST 3–2Preston MakedoniaMelbourne
18:00 AEDT
Report
  • Branov 58'
  • Smith 64'
 Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: John Fraser
23 January 1988 Adelaide City 2–0Sunshine George CrossAdelaide
19:00 ACDT
Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 1,287
Referee: Jim Rossis
23 January 1988 Brunswick Juventus 1–0Melbourne KnightsMelbourne
20:00 AEDT
  • Lewis 80'
 Report Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Jim Fearn
23 January 1988 Marconi Fairfield1–2 APIA Leichhardt Sydney
20:00 AEDT
  • De Jong 80'
 Report
Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 2,120
Referee: Richard Lorenc
24 January 1988 St George-Budapest1–2 (a.e.t.) Sydney Olympic Sydney
19:00 AEDT
  • Pottier 13'
 Report
Stadium: St George Stadium
Attendance: 3,070
Referee: Terry Seacy

Second round

17 February 1988 APIA Leichhardt 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)		Sydney OlympicSydney
18:30 AEDT Report Stadium: Parramatta Stadium
Attendance: 3,994
Referee: Chris Bambridge
Penalties
17 February 1988 Brunswick Juventus 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(7–6 p)		Footscray JUSTMelbourne
19:30 AEDT
Report
Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 1,300
Referee: Jim Rossis
Penalties
17 February 1988 Sydney Croatia 3–0Brisbane LionsSydney
20:15 AEDT
Report Stadium: Parramatta Stadium
Attendance: 3,994
Referee: Rob Davies
2 March 1988 South Melbourne 5–2Adelaide CityMelbourne
19:30 AEDT
Report
Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 1,921
Referee: Chris Bambridge

Semi-finals

6 April 1988 APIA Leichhardt 2–1 (a.e.t.)Sydney CroatiaSydney
19:30 AEST
  • Phillips 64'
  • Ward 91'
 Report
Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 3,866
Referee: Don Campbell
6 April 1988 Brunswick Juventus 1–0South MelbourneMelbourne
19:30 AEST
Report Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 4,151
Referee: Gary Power

Final

Main article: 1988 NSL Cup final
APIA Leichhardt0–0 (a.e.t.)Brunswick Juventus
Report
Penalties
 5–3
Marconi Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 2,200
Referee: Alan Kibbler

References

  1. ^ Coletta, Frank (13 April 1988). "CROATIA WARDED OFF". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 9, no. 332. p. 3.
  2. ^ Gauter, Lou (17 August 1988). "Apia wins Cup on a shootout". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 9, no. 350. p. 4.
  3. ^ Stock, Greg. "1988 National Soccer League Cup Results". OzFootball.
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