FFA Cup: Wanderers hunt Sharks, Victory chase the Suns

Scott Jamieson Western Sydney Wanderers FFA Cup 2015

Palm Beach v Western Sydney Wanderers (Tues Sept 1, 7.30pm AEST)

Home side Palm Beach Sharks are back at Cbus Super Stadium for another major FFA Cup challenge, this time against 2014 AFC Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers.

The National Premier Leagues Queensland club survived a penalty shootout in the last round, knocking out the highly-fancied Victorian outfit South Melbourne in the process at the same venue.

As demonstrated in that clash, Sharks coach Grae Piddick has his side well organised and prepared. In some ways, he's similar to his opposite number in this one Tony Popovic.

Expect the home side to again be resolute at the back as they try to frustrate the Wanderers. And with a postponed game on the weekend, they could be just that bit fresher. And they'll need to be.

After avoiding another embarrassing opening-round Cup exit this year by beating Brisbane Roar, Tony Popovic’s side will now feel they can go deep into this year’s edition.

Their remodelled squad is building nicely and their imports are getting more acquainted to Popovic’s style, their new team-mates and Australian conditions.

It will take something special for the Sharks to get past the A-League powerhouse. You can be sure they will give it everything and more, but will it be enough?

Eoghan Murphy (Palm Beach Sharks player)

“We’re all buzzing. This is what the Cup is about, drawing a big team, playing in a stadium and causing an upset. It's what we do best. Every match is tough when it comes to the FFA Cup - it doesn't matter who you face.”

Tony Popovic (Western Sydney Wanderers coach)

“It’s a big game. To have this [the FFA Cup] helps, having a target during pre-season and we’re all really looking forward to the game. The preparation this week has shown that the message about not taking this game too lightly has been heeded. On paper we should win but football doesn't work that way and we need to be at our best to go through.”

 

Rockdale City v Melbourne Victory (Tues Sept 1, 7.30pm AEST)

One of the eye-catching winners from the round of 32, the Suns are now set for a David v Goliath battle against Kevin Muscat's A-League champions.

Victory have been slamming home the goals so far this pre-season and will look to exert their suffocating pressure on the home side. It’s time to find out how good the Suns really are.

But the slicker surface at WIN Jubilee Oval – as opposed to the Suns’ regular home at the bumpy Ilinden Sports Centre – should play into Victory’s hands.

The likes of Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Gui Finkler, Carl Valeri and Kosta Barbarouses should be able to fizz their passes around to execute their high-tempo, offensive game-plan.

But Reid – while still learning his trade with the clipboard – has a clever football brain and will have his troops well prepared for Victory’s attacking arsenal.

With their NSW NPL campaign done and dusted, Rockdale have been able to focus all their energies on one of the biggest nights in the club’s history.

This promises to be another swashbuckling NSW v Victoria contest. 

Kevin Muscat (Melbourne Victory coach)

"We're going to have a few players unavailable through international duty, so we looked at a few different things [against Port Melbourne] and I was pretty pleased. We're still a fair way off from where we want to be, it was a good step in the right direction for us.”

 

Hume City v Sydney Olympic (Tues Sept 1, 7.30pm AEST)

For Olympic, they've been battling glory on two fronts. But on the weekend, they lost their NPL NSW minor semi-final to Sydney Tigers 1-0.

Now, they must forget that reversal as they fly off to Melbourne, with the FFA Cup taking centre stage.

And with the experience of winning away on a freezing night in Canberra in the round of 32 still fresh in their memory, they’ll fancy their chances of ruining the party at the ABD Stadium. 

Needless to say, Hume are in a happy place right now. The FFA Cup is supercharging interest in the northern Melbourne club and they are very much revelling in the extra attention.

More importantly, on the pitch they are proving to be a tough unit, full of vigour and passion after an epic 4-3 win over Brisbane Strikers in the round of 32. 

And on Friday night, a stirring shootout win in the NPL finals series (which saw goalkeeper Chris Oldfield save a staggering four penalties) was the ideal boost going into such an important game. 

It’s hard to separate these two sides in a clash that could go beyond 90 minutes.

Shane Rexhepie (Hume City defender)

“The boys love it. We don’t get these opportunities every day. We just want to keep progressing and hopefully be the first NPL club to win the FFA Cup.”

Grant Lee (Sydney Olympic coach)

“If we get a decent bit of recovery, and the right opponent, we might go a little further [in the Cup]. I hope so … it’d be nice for the club. We’ve had a bit of a bad patch in the middle of the season, more mental than physical, and over the last six weeks we’ve got over it and built up very nicely.”

 

MetroStars v Oakleigh Cannons (Tues Sept 1, 7.30pm AEST)

MetroStars SC produced one of big round-of-32 shocks and, as such, should not be underestimated.

Michael Pirone’s side made the tricky trip to Sydney’s west to face all-conquering NSW NPL champions Blacktown City, and they came away with a gritty 2-1 comeback win.

It was by no fluke the MetroStars got that result, taking off the shackles after trailing 1-0 at the break and stunning the home side with their fast-moving, physical style.

They’ve got quality, no doubt.

Expect more of the same in front of their home fans as they aim to become the second South Australian NPL club in as many years to take the FFA Cup by storm.

As for Oakleigh, Papas – an astute up-and-coming mentor who’s had experience coaching alongside former Brazil international Zico in the Indian Premier League – will undoubtedly have his squad up for this one.

Don’t worry about their struggles in the NPL Victoria, the Cannons have a squad made for delivering on the big stage.

Former A-League players Steve Pantelidis, Mirjan Pavlovic and Kofi Danning to name a few demonstrates they have the talent and experience to get results on the big stage.

And Dean Piemonte will still be on a high after his Cup heroics against FNQ Heat, the super-sub getting on the score sheet with an outrageous set-piece goal.

Daniel Goldey (MetroStars goalkeeper)

“If we can get through this one it all comes down to the luck of the draw – you can be playing the best football in the world then draw Melbourne Victory.”

Arthur Papas (Oakleigh Cannons coach)

“It will be a difficult game. They [MetroStars] haven’t had the best of seasons in the league but in the FFA Cup they’ve been very strong winning their last game away from home. But it gives us a chance, if we’re at our best, to possibly push into the last eight.”

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