The second edition of Australia’s very own Cup competition is ready to go after Wednesday’s FFA Cup round of 32 draw.
The draw revealed a host of intriguing fixtures, rife with opportunities for smaller clubs and fresh challenges for the A-League heavy-hitters in the first truly national Cup competition.
Which fixtures, amongst others, stand out?
Darwin Olympic vs Adelaide United
Holders United will open their defence of the Cup in Darwin in a match which promises to be something of an unknown, both for Josep Gombau and his team, and the Australian football public.
The Northern Territory does not have an A-League club, did not have a participant in the Cup’s inaugural version and is not traditionally a haven for football development in Australia.
Simultaneously, the clash presents itself perfectly as a rare opportunity for Olympic and the Northern Territory to showcase the talent it has to offer, coincidently against the A-League club which is sponsored by the government of the Northern Territory.
Win or lose, this is a match that can only be beneficial in just about every sense for football in the Northern Territory.
Balmain Tigers vs Melbourne Victory
This is a fixture which promises to emphasise all that is special about a Cup competition. Balmain, based in Sydney’s West, is the lowest ranked team left in the draw plying its trade in the New South Wales Division 1.
Drawn against the Tigers is reigning A-League premier and champion Melbourne Victory. This is a true David versus Goliath battle, but we know Cups around the world do not always favour Goliath.
The sheer might of Kevin Muscat’s team will obviously be a challenge for the smaller club, but in recent memory, we have seen the underdog claim unlikely victories in Cups the world over.
In England, Bradford City toppled the might of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Middlesbrough defeated mega-rich Manchester City on the road. Closer to home, Adelaide City eliminated the Western Sydney Wanderers at this stage of the competition in edition one.
All the pressure will be on the Victory – anything could happen.
Palm Beach SC vs South Melbourne
A giant of the old NSL and NPL Victoria, South Melbourne will be desperate to make its presence known in the national Cup showpiece.
The Lakeside club enjoyed a terrific run toward the round of 32, defeating bitter rivals Melbourne Knights along the way (HIGHLIGHTS below).
Hellas are the current NPL Victoria champions and boast a dash of former A-League talent, including highly-rated ex-Gold Coast United and Adelaide United youngster Jake Barker-Daish.
Palm Beach, meanwhile, is no stranger to the FFA Cup after enjoying an impressive run in the competition in 2014, culminating in a last-eight defeat at the hands of Central Coast Mariners.
That venture will give the Gold Coast club plenty of confidence and promises an exciting battle between the member federation clubs.
Blacktown City vs MetroStars
This fixture pits the current NPL champions against a club that has developed a reputation as a breeding ground for top Australian footballing talent.
Blacktown City has seen an incredible pedigree of footballers go through its ranks over the years, including ex-Socceroo Robbie Slater as well as current Socceroos Mathew Ryan, Bernie Ibini and Scott Jamieson.
This will be the Demons’ second attempt in the competition after being eliminated by Sydney Olympic 3-0 last time out in the round of 32.
South Australian club MetroStars will be full of confidence heading into the next round, crowned champion after defeating Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the NPL grand final. Former Adelaide United midfielder Fabian Barbiero scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win.
As champion in the country’s second footballing tier, their performance will interest plenty of fans.
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