Matchday 1 was epic. In the last week, news articles have flooded social media feeds talking of the APIA Leichhardt Tigers’ miraculous win against Melbourne Victory and the thought in my mind is, “how can anything top that?”
It just can. That’s the magic of the cup, it produces miracles, and makes dreams come true. Matchday 2 has four more mouthwatering fixtures to look ahead to. Maybe we could see another huge ‘Cupset,’ or will we see the professionals’ reign supreme?
The last round of 16 matchday features an all A-League clash, which happens to be a rematch of last year’s semi-finals, and if this game is anything like how that turned out, we’re in for a treat.
Melbourne’s previous round: Brisbane Roar 0-1 Melbourne City
One of the three all A-League clashes last round, eyes were firmly planted on this game to answer questions held by both sets of fans. Brisbane fans curious of how their team is gelling after a tumultuous transfer period and City fans wondering if their side were the real deal after dishing and receiving 6-0 drubbings in India.
This game was marred by an unintentional boot to the head of Luke Brattan, and the subsequent delay in moving him from the field with a suspected spinal injury. over 45 minutes of added time were played in the first half. The second half was rapid in comparison and the game was still scoreless after 90 minutes.
Extra time was played in the flow of the game, back and forth with neither team really demonstrating intent. Both City and Brisbane fans watching on were mentally preparing for a shootout when a moment of brilliance occurred.
Orchestrated by Bruno Fornaroli, City pressed with less than 20 seconds to go in the 120 minutes. the ball fell to Fornaroli who, after a crisp touch, struck the ball on the half volley and into Jamie Young’s net.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Newcastle’s previous round: Gold Coast Knights 0-1 Newcastle Jets
Want to hear something strange? This is Newcastle’s first time in the round of 16. Before their win against Gold Coast, they had never won a round of 32 game.
Newcastle capitalized on defensive confusion as the Gold Coast attempted to clear a corner. The ball was headed around before falling to the feet of Nikolai Topor-Stanley who put it into the back of the net.
It was a somewhat unremarkable victory, but was all Newcastle needed in order to secure their debut place in the round of 16.
Prediction
Newcastle is undermanned with Roy O’Donovan and Joey Champness out, banned and injured respectively. Melbourne City haven’t brought in or lost any players since Matchday 1 and could line up similarly.
This game will be a war of attrition and the home side should get their revenge for the semi-final loss.
Melbourne City 3-1 Newcastle Jets
NPL powerhouse Heidelberg United travel to Adelaide with the goal of replicating their fellow statesmen Bentleigh Greens and making the quarter-finals. The Comets will be hoping to cause the upset though in what is set to be a sound all-NPL contest between the current best Victorian squad and one of the stronger South Australian teams.
Adelaide’s previous round: Gwelup Croatia SC 0-4 Adelaide Comets
The Comets were one of the most impressive performers in the Round of 32, cruising past Gwelup Croatia 4-0 in Perth.
In a game many tipped to be close, the Comets proved those tippers wrong and smashed Gwelup, with chances for the home team few and far between, Adelaide dominated and silenced the host crowd after 44 minutes and effectively suppressed every attack from Gwelup to run out comfortable winners.
Heidelberg’s previous round: Heidelberg United 2-1 Charlestown City Blues
Heidelberg began their FFA Cup in a competent fashion, grinding out a win in a gutsy fashion against Charlestown in order to keep their incredible run of progression intact.
If you were running late to this game, you would have missed most of the action. With Heidelberg scoring in both the 1st and 13th minutes via an own goal and an unmarked header from a corner, Charlestown managed to make the hosts sweat with a tidy finish in the 82nd minute. But unfortunately for them, it wasn’t enough to bring the tie back to level terms and Heidelberg progressed to this match.
Prediction
While the ‘Bergers suffered a surprise 4-1 loss to Kingston City in the Victorian NPL over the weekend, they had already wrapped up the premiership with two games to spare.
Some of their key players were rested from that clash with one eye on the trip to South Australia, and have their sights firmly planted on another trip to the quarter-finals of this competition.
Adelaide have also had ample preparation for this match, After making the finals in the South Australian NPL, finishing the regular season fourth, they bowed out in the opening week of the finals after a 3-1 loss to Adelaide United.
That clash came back on August 11 meaning they have had more than a fortnight to analyse Heidelberg and focus on their preparation for arguably the biggest match in the club’s history.
Heidelberg’s class and ability to outlast opponents in tight matches will prove valuable.
Adelaide Comets 0-1 Heidelberg United.
There are games that are career defining, and for every Lions player out there, this is just that. This being the TV broadcast match-up against last year’s runner’s up, all eyes will be on the comparatively tiny team up against the A-League giants. APIA and Bentleigh have already upset A-League teams and the Lions must be thinking to themselves “why can’t we?”
For Adelaide, with more A-League teams than usual already knocked out of the cup, this is a ripe opportunity to win the whole thing. After this round, barring any upsets, only 4 A-League teams will remain and Adelaide will fancy their chances.
Lions’ previous round: Lions FC 3-2 Olympic FC
In one of the most entertaining games of the round, Lions and Olympic engaged in a tense and high scoring affair which was won late by the home side.
After taking a 2-0 lead after 16 minutes, Olympic fought back to make the game all square in the 81st minute, and just as extra time seemed a certainty, the Lions broke a discombobulated defensive line and broke free into a 2-on-one against Olympic keeper Nick Mooney, passing across the face of goal and leaving Olympic hearts broken.
Adelaide’s previous round: Adelaide United 3-0 Central Coast Mariners
While the Lions played out one of the most entertaining games of the matchday, Adelaide played in arguably one of the least, unless you’re an Adelaide fan that is.
We got to see the first of two sides who had quite contrasting off seasons. The Mariners attempting to recover from a horrific wooden spoon winning season in 17/18, and United trying to once again go far into the FFA Cup and after a middle of the table season last year.
Adelaide came out strong and quickly outmuscled the undermanned Mariners out of the match. They made it 2-0 after 19 minutes, before a 53rd-minute Adelaide goal signed off the victory with a Craig Goodwin wonderstrike off of a set piece play, sending the Mariners packing and making a statement to the remainder of teams in the league.
Prediction
Confidence won’t be an issue for Lions FC, having surged to the premiership in the Queensland NPL this season, and with a stubborn defence only conceding 11 goals in 26 games in the NPL, they’ll fancy themselves a real chance here.
Despite this belief, Adelaide United are not the best team to test that theory with. Possessing a solid defence and a very consistent goalkeeper, goals won’t come easy for the Brisbane side.
Adelaide don’t have happy memories of playing at Perry Park in this competition, losing to another Queensland NPL side in Redlands United 2-1 after extra-time in 2016.
Their bad history at the ground won’t matter here.
Lions FC 0-2 Adelaide United
(Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
A local derby between a member federation club and an A-League team, these are the games football fans live for. Truly encapsulating the feeling of a big brother against little brother, this should be a cracker.
Bonnyrigg’s previous round: Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2-1 Hakoah Sydney City East FC
Bonnyrigg revived an otherwise horror 2018 with a gutsy win against Hakoah in the round of 32. After a poor season in NPL New South Wales, Bonnyrigg desperately needed a win.
Although Hakoah played a strong game, they didn’t capitalise on their chances. Bonnyrigg struck after 19 minutes and, in a smart move by manager Milan Susak, didn’t try to defend the lead, but instead maintained their pressure and subsequently caused the Hakoah defence all kinds of headaches.
Hakoah’s task was made a lot harder after a wonder strike by Asmir Kadric made the score 2-0 with 10 minutes to play. And although a penalty brought Hakoah back to within one, it was too little too late and Bonnyrigg claimed the victory.
Western Sydney’s previous round: Hellenic AC 3-4 Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney needed a stoppage-time winner to get out of jail 4-3 against Hellenic AC in the previous round and coach Markus Babbel won’t tolerate a repeat performance.
Both sides traded goals throughout this clash in Northern territory and Hellenic lost no fans in this gallant performance which nearly shell-shocked the Wanderers.
Prediction:
After the Hellenic scare, Wanderers’ head coach Marcus Babbel won’t allow mediocrity or complacency here.
The new coach may hand starts to new German recruits – defender Patrick Ziegler and midfielder Alex Baumjohann – in this one. Spanish striker Oriol Riera, who scored a brace against Hellenic, will be the Wanderers’ dangerman with an excellent record in this competition.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-3 Western Sydney Wanderers.
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