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Having got through their first match in the FFA Cup against South Hobart FC courtesy of penalties, Tuggeranong United face a much greater obstacle in the Round of 16 when they come up against A-League side Melbourne Victory. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
It will be a case of David versus Goliath in the ACT tonight when Tuggeranong United and Melbourne Victory do battle.
On the one side will be a squad filled with amateur players who only started getting paid fuel payments for the first time this season.
Their opponents, the Victory have travelled with a squad boasting players who have international experience, A-league championships, and apply their trade in a competition where the salary cap is over 2 million dollars.
Uneven playing field?
On paper, absolutely. But the beauty of sport is that fans can dare to dream.
After all it is games such as these that provide memories for thousands of fans of smaller teams in cup competitions across the world.
And while this is the first incarnation of the FFA Cup, over time it is hoped that there will be many of these moments when the little team that could gets one over big brother.
One of the great subplots of this match is Carl Valeri returning to play against the side he first turned out for many years ago.
Before moving overseas to Italy, and representing his country, Valeri played for Tuggeranong United for several seasons, and it is stories such as these that will help the FFA Cup grow over time.
With the Victory looking to shore up preparations ahead of the forthcoming A-League competition, which kicks off in just over a month, Kevin Muscat’s men will in all likelihood be too strong for their ACT opponents.
But the boys from Tuggeranong United have absolutely nothing to lose, and it is this that makes them dangerous opponents.
They have a squad who are part-time footballers, players who spend their days working in other jobs such as trades and the public service, but they also have youngsters who are still chasing an A-League dream.
A big performance from them could not only steal a famous victory for their club side, it could catapult them into the professional ranks.
Victory look set to win by at least a two-goal margin, but you never know stranger things have happened in football.
Fearless Predictions:
Victory to win 3-1
Besart Berisha to get on the score sheet
Archie Thompson to be ruled offside on at least one occasion
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