The traditional three-day Maso Cup gets underway on Friday for Australian teams with a Macedonian background. Bankstown City Lions will try to defend the title this year.

This year the tournament is co-hosted by last year’s finalists Rockdale City Suns and Bankstown City Lions. The two hosts are favourites to meet in the final again, but they must watch out on Altona Magic who decided to return to the tournament after quitting last year. Of course, Preston Lions also would have been a favourite, but they won’t participate for second year in a row. Last year, Bankstown City Lions defeated Rockdale City Suns with 2:1 in the final and claimed the trophy.

Rockdale City Suns got an easy group with Yagoona Lions being their only rival for the first place only if they will be capable to handle Queanbeyan City and Cringila Lions. Holders Bankstown City Lions got a bit tougher group with Newcastle Suns, Wollongong United and Arncliffe Scots, while Altona Magic shouldn’t have problems to deal with Broadmeadow Magic, Coniston Lions and the under 20 team of Bankstown City Lions.

The opening game will be Bankstown City Lions against Arncliffe Scots at Ilinden Sports Centre, the home of Rockdale City Suns. Right after the game involving the holders, the other hosts will show up to face Yagoonа Lions. These two games will be the only that will be played on Friday.

The rules for this football tournament are different than usual. All teams will play 3 matches; 50 minutes per game with 25 minutes each half; 5 minutes for half time with players to remain on field; teams to receive 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw; teams on equal points are to be separated by goal difference; in the event the teams share the same goal difference a penalty shoot out will be held to decide the team to advance to the finals; unlimited substitutions; time not to stop for substitutions except for finals; no injury time except for finals; penalty shoot out will be held in all matches including finals in the event of a draw.

Here is the full schedule (all times are local):

Friday, 25 January 2013 – Ilinden Sports Centre
07.00pm Bankstown City Lions v Arncliffe Scots
08.00pm Rockdale City Suns v Yagoona Lions

Saturday, 26 January 2013 – Jensen Park
11.00am Coniston Lions v Bankstown City Lions U20
12.00pm Queanbeyan City v Cringila Lions
01.00pm Wollongong United v Newcastle Suns
02.00pm Broadmeadow Magic v Altona Magic
03.00pm Rockdale City Suns v Queanbeyan City
04.00pm Bankstown City Lions v Newcastle Suns
05.00pm Altona Magic v Bankstown City Lions U20
06.00pm Yagoona Lions v Cringila Lions
07.00pm Arncliffe Scots v Wollongong United
08.00pm Coniston Lions v Broadmeadow Magic

Sunday, 27 January 2013 – Ilinden Sports Centre
08.00am Breakfast for all players & officials
09.30am Yagoona Lions v Queanbeyan City
10.30am Rockdale City Suns v Cringila Lions
11.30am Bankstown City Lions v Wollongong United
12.30pm Newcastle Suns v Arncliffe Scots
01.30pm Broadmeadow Magic v Bankstown City Lions U20
02.30pm Coniston Lions v Altona Magic
03.30pm Semi Final 1: Winner of Group 1 v Winner of Group 3
04.30pm Semi Final 2: Winner of Group 2 v Best Group Runner Up
05.30pm Grand Final: Winner of Semi Final 1 v Winner of Semi Final 2
07.00pm Presentation Ceremony