Western Australia will have representation in the FFA Cup’s Round of 32 fixtures and the club that looks most likely to spring a surprise against A-League opposition is Floreat Athena.
Athena are celebrating 70 years as a club after being formed by Greek migrants in 1951.
They have quite the trophy cabinet, with four championships, eight State Cups and eight Night Series, as well as being runners up on several occasions in all three competitions.
Florena are also one of the only NPL clubs to go through a whole season undefeated on multiple occasions – they did this in 1990 as well as 2007.
The club has been at its current home ground, Litis Stadium, for nearly 35 years. It is a compact venue with grandstands – but the ground is best known for its change rooms entrance.
Litis Stadium holds a secret that is not well known outside of Western Australia – it was formerly a velodrome and the cycling tunnel is still used by players to get to the change rooms.
It is a highlight for many travellers and the Adelaide fans attending will definitely want to get a photo – especially as it’s named after former Florena player and fan-ordained South Australian football icon Stan Lazaridis.
In terms of their 2021 WA NPL season, Athena are in a form slump.
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
They have only picked up two draws and are on a three-game losing streak from their last five matches – this barren run of form has allowed others teams to close the gap and Athena have dropped to second spot, in a competition that have led for the majority of the season.
The current head coach is ex-Athena goalkeeper, Vas Vujacic.
Although Vujacic has only been in the job for a couple of seasons, he has introduced a lot of younger players into the team and is facing the first real test of his coaching abilities – trying to turn around the current wretched run of form Athena are going through.
Athena is a team that shares the goals around – the joint leading scorer is a talented 19-year-old midfielder who is starting to get the attention of A League clubs, Jawad Rezai.
Rezai’s football brain is constantly ticking as he looks to thread a pass, open up space or find himself in goal-scoring positions – for someone so young in a crucial position of the pitch, his football intelligence is that of a much older player.
The other player is classy defender Christopher Salderis. Salderis has been a consistent performer for many years in the NPL and some would say has been unlucky to have not played at a higher level – he will be a threat in both boxes.
Adelaide’s centre backs will also have their hands full dealing with the gangly youngster many are predicting a bright future for – Joshua Anasmo.
Anasmo leads the line and has so far contributed five goals this term; he has an uncanny ability to get his body into positions that have made local defenders’ lives difficult, especially with arms and legs flailing about.
Nick Ambrogio has spent several years in the NPL and has also chipped in with multiple goals, and up-and-coming 20-year-old forward Robert Harding has proved a revelation, netting four goals so far this season.
Even though Florena are in the midst of a form slump, there is no better time to face FFA Cup serial winners Adelaide United.
United only started pre-season training last week and have struggled so far to replace the several players that have departed this off-season. The defence at time of writing looks to be a real area of concern.
Florena will no doubt be the underdogs against a much stronger opposition, but they have just as much chance of causing an upset against an A-League club that is having a torrid off-season in terms of signing players.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
do you still get out to the games these days?
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
I had the pleasure of playing at the Velodrome many times as a junior and amateur player. I remember the old tunnel used to flood in winter. Also, before they removed the cycle track and its lower wooden border, it was so close to the corners that you'd risk losing your footing trying to take a corner in the rain.
Micko
Roar Rookie
I actually went there as a kid when the velodrome was still there. It was constructed for the Commonwealth Games.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
will be a very tough game for United, they will go into this match with as close as a full strength squad as possible (goodwin still won't be ready)
Bendtner52
Roar Pro
One of the most eagerly anticipated ties. If it ever happens! Good to see Floreat return to winning ways yesterday
Gashead
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately not, the tunnel is in the South-East corner of the ground but inside the ground fence. The tunnel itself has wired gates which are locked, so no idea what the conditions are like if you go down there. At least with the new changes rooms you can hear the winning team sing their song after a match and you walk past them to get to the car park.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
its a ground i havent had the chance to get to yet. the tunnel is still accessible? it hasn't been sealed off yet has it?
Gashead
Roar Rookie
Good to see these articles on the FFA Cup and NSL teams but Floreat haven't been using the cycling tunnel for years (at least since I've attended a few games). They have change rooms on top of the hill opposite the Grandstand. That said, its a nice stadium to watch football from and you can still feel the presence of the velodrome.