Terry Butcher once said, “The beauty of cup football is that Jack always has a chance of beating Goliath.”
Who was Jack? Only Butcher can tell us that, but 22 teams from around the country will try to become Jack as the FFA Cup kicks off next week.
Last year saw the inaugural FFA Cup take place – Australia’s first true national knockout football tournament since the Australia Cup in 1967. Adelaide United lifted the trophy by defeating Perth Glory 1-0 in front of a sold out Hindmarsh Stadium.
The city of churches also played home to a miracle as NPL South Australia side Adelaide City became goliath by defeating Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 thanks a Thomas Love strike. Western Sydney Wanderers, of cours,e would go on to win the Asian Champions League – and finish bottom of the A-League the same season. Cup football can be a funny thing sometimes.
Four teams will get the chance to repeat Adelaide City’s giant killing moment in the first round. Balmain Tigers, the lowest ranked side left in the competition, will host reigning A-League Champions Melbourne Victory. Darwin Olympic will become the Northern Territory’s first FFA Cup entrant when they host Adelaide United. Meanwhile, Sorrento FC host Sydney FC and Melbourne City travel to Edgeworth FC.
The David vs Goliath theme continues on the match day poster! #ffacup #pursuitofthecup #BALvMVC #footballnsw pic.twitter.com/Lrat2fkQB2
— Balmain Tigers FC (@balmaintigersfc) July 15, 2015
The squad’s reaction to finding out our opponents yesterday: https://t.co/bQgeJZTfCS #MagicOfTheCup #FFACup #FFACupDraw #footballnsw
— Balmain Tigers FC (@balmaintigersfc) July 1, 2015
But before we see all of that action, Wednesday evening sees the return of former great – Oceania’s Club of the 20th Century, South Melbourne FC. Palm Beach will host their return to the national stage after making the quarter-finals last season, exiting to a 5-0 drubbing by Central Coast Mariners.
Palm Beach coach Grae Piddock said his side was in for a “tough game” but was excited for the challenge his young squad is up against.
“South Melbourne has a rich history, not only have they been NSL Champions and provided a number of Australian internationals, they are one of the strongest outside of the A-League in the Country,” Piddock said.
On the same night, Hume City Football Club will host former NSL champions Brisbane Strikers at the newly built ABD Stadium in Broadmeadows, Victoria. Unlike its counterparts, it will be Hume’s first taste of the national spotlight as fans. Heidelberg United’s visit to Broadmeadow Magic and Blacktown City hosting North Eastern MetroStars rounds off the first night of action.
Here at Outside90 we also like to give you the lighter side of football. With community football supplying some of the best food at sporting events across the country, we tip Hume City’s Kebab to be this year’s Bentleigh Greens souvlaki.
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