THE FFA Cup continues on Wednesday night as four epic Round of 32 encounters are played.
With the additions of the ten A-League teams into the mix, we once again get to watch in anticipation to see if lower league underdogs can rival the efforts of Heidelberg United last year, or Green Gully the year prior, to pull off the ultimate David vs Goliath story and defeat an A-League team.
Will we see it on Wednesday? Probably not.
With the four matches each having quite unique storylines behind them, let’s run through them.
Here we go, the first of the hopefuls. In this instance, hopeful is generous for Rockdale. They face a Sydney FC side which has been gutted in the transfer window. Is this enough to give Rockdale City a fighting chance?
Previous matches
Rockdale: 12-0 vs Glebe Wanderers, 3-0 vs Bankstown United, 2-1 vs Sydney United, 3-2 vs Blacktown City.
Sydney: N/A
Featuring ex-Western Sydney Wanderers shot-stopper Ante Covic, Rockdale City seek to knock off last year’s cup winners in what should be a fiery encounter in the south of Sydney.
Despite the loss of both the 2017-18 Johnny Warren Medallist in Adrian Mierzejevski, and the Golden Boot winner (and record breaker) Bobo, Sydney FC’s coach Steve Corica maintains a steadfast attitude that his men can go back to back.
Although Sydney have lost a significant amount of quality in the off-season, they should still have the quality to put a few past Rockdale City and progress to the Round of 16.
Prediction: Sydney FC 4 – Rockdale City 1
(AAP Image/Hamish Blair)
Just as we finish discussing the potential for an NPL team to upset an A-League team, we move to the most recent team to do so. Last September we witnessed a gutsy victory from the underdog Heidelberg side in a 1-0 win over Perth Glory which put a little known Sudanese footballer’s name up in lights, and just like that ‘King’ Kenny Athiu was a hot prospect.
Truly underlining what the “magic of the cup” truly is, we see an ironic flip on that match. Heidelberg are now one of the highest rated clubs in the country and go up against an injury-riddled side who have never made the round of 32 in the FFA Cup.
Previous matches
Heidelberg: N/A
Charlestown: 10-0 vs Hamilton Azzurri, 3-1 vs Lake Maquarie, 6-0 vs Boambee, 0-0 (3-2) vs Lambton Jaffas.
With their inexperience and injuries to numerous players and loss of former Socceroo and A-League player Ljubo Milicevic who recently retired from football, Charlestown will be up against it as Heidelberg are in a hot run of form in NPL Victoria.
Can they cause an upset? No, Especially not on Heidelberg’s home turf.
Prediction: Heidelberg United 3 – Charlestown City Blues 0
In the first all A-League clash of the 2018 FFA Cup, Adelaide United take on the Central Coast Mariners in Adelaide.
In the 2017 Final, Adelaide fell agonizingly short of the silverware as they lost to Sydney FC in extra time. They will be fueled by that loss and be seeking to bounce back with a point to prove.
All eyes will be on the Mariners however, as they look to improve after their shock Round of 32 exit to Blacktown City last season, and an A-League season to forget as they finished in last.
Fans will get an up-close first glance at a new-look Mariners side following their raft of off-season departures.
This encounter will be an interesting one, with both sides looking to impress in their first competitive outings of 2018.
Will this new look Mariners be able to get one over this competent Adelaide side? I think so.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Prediction: Adelaide United 1 – Central Coast Mariners 2
5,300 kilometres separates these two clubs in what should be an interesting clash which has the potential to produce the next big name out of the FFA cup.
Previous matches
Cairns: 4-3 vs Southside Comets, 3-0 vs North QLD United, 5-3 vs Magpies
Armadale: 3-2 vs Balcatta, 5-2 vs Dianella White Eagles, 3-2 vs ECU Joondalup.
Although both sides are sat in seventh on their respective league ladders, their form in the Cup shows they have the capability of scoring goals.
Armadale’s Chris Jackson and Cairns FC’s Joshua Taylor both have the ability to put away goals in their locker and will look to lead their sides from the front. Both teams will be pushing for a positive run in the FFA Cup in order to make up for their somewhat underwhelming NPL seasons so far.
I predict this will be the closest game of the Round of 32 so far and it could go either way.
Prediction: Cairns FC 2 – Armadale SC 2. Cairns win on Penalties.
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