Former CPL Forwards Help South Melbourne Make Australia Cup History

Sporting history was just made down under as South Melbourne became the first club outside of the country’s top flight to win the Australia Cup – and two former Canadian Premier League players helped pave the way.

Former Valour striker Jordi Swibel and ex-Pacific forward Bul Juach lifted the Australia Cup today after South Melbourne rallied back against Melbourne Victory to secure a 4-3 penalty shootout win at AAMI Park.

Juach started the final, while Swibel came in as an extra time substitute – though both players combined to produce the late equalizer which would tee up a penalty shootout to send South Melbourne right into the history books.

The NPL held its A-League opposition scoreless through regular time, though Melbourne Victory broke the deadlock through Denis Genreau in extra time.

Both former CPL players combined for South Melbourne’s extra time equalizer, with Swibel tearing down the right flank before sending the ball through the box for Juach at the back post. The former Trident found his shot blocked, but the ball fell to Max Mikkola, who finished the chance and sent AAMI Park into raptures:

With the match 1-1 at the end of extra time, the Australia Cup went to penalties. South Melbourne put themselves in the history books with a 4-3 win in front of a cup-record 29,911 fans, with Jordi Swibel converting his penalty along the way.

Bul Juach had been with Pacific up until the summer, scoring absolute beauty against Halifax before leaving after averaging just 14 minutes across nine appearances. His return to Australia quickly saw him return to scoring against pro sides, with the forward also scoring a hat-trick in the semi-final stage against the Queensland Lions.

×

Swibel had spent the 2024 CPL season in Winnipeg, racking up seven goals before returning to Australian football with the Marconi Stallions, later joining South Melbourne. He now has an Australia Cup winner’s medal to add to his journey since leaving Canada.

South Melbourne’s landmark win could soon have a Canadian parallel, with Forge seeking a cup breakthrough against MLS opposition.

The 2026 Canadian Championship Final will see five-time winners CF Montreal host Forge FC on October 21, with the visitors seeking to become the first CPL club to lift the Voyageurs Cup. Having previously knocked Montreal out of the tournament in past years, the Hammers will arrive knowing an upset could be on the cards.