The Westfield FFA Cup is back on the national stage and the 2017 edition promises to be the competition’s best yet.
Kicking off in February, more than 730 teams entered this year’s tournament which has now been whittled down to the final 32 teams.
And with the Round of 32 set to kick off on July 26, we look ahead and pick out four matches which loom as must-see clashes!
SOUTH MELBOURNE V EDGEWORTH EAGLES
Wed July 26, 8pm, Lakeside Stadium, VIC
#SOMvEDG
Victorian PS4 NPL heavyweights South Melbourne host high-flying Newcastle-based Edgeworth Eagles in the televised fixture on the opening night of the Round of 32.
FFA CUP HISTORY
*South Melbourne’s only previous match in the Westfield FFA Cup Final Rounds ended in heartbreak when they were bundled out by Palm Beach SC (now Gold Coast City) 8-7 on penalties in the Round of 32 in 2015.
*Edgeworth went close to knocking off Melbourne City FC in the Round of 32 in 2015 where only two cracking Aaron Mooy free kicks rescued the A-League side from an embarrassing defeat.
Then last year, they headed north to Cairns and put three goals past FNQ Heat before succumbing to Western Sydney Wanderers FC in the Round of 16.
PENINSULA POWER v MELBOURNE CITY
Tues August 1, 7.30pm, Dolphin Stadium, QLD
#PENvMCY
In a David v Goliath battle, Brisbane Premier League side Peninsula Power play host to reigning Champions Melbourne City on matchday two.
FFA CUP HISTORY
*Peninsula Power are making their debut in the Round of 32 and are just the second side from outside of the QLD PS4 NPL (Lions FC were the other) to reach this stage of the competition.
*Melbourne City won the title in 2016 against Sydney FC. They were knocked out by Glory in the 2015 Semi-Finals and failed to progress from the Round of 32 in 2014.
BLACKTOWN CITY v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
Wed August 2, 7.30pm, Lily’s Football Centre, NSW
#BLCvCCM
PS4 NPL NSW outfit Blacktown City – led by ex-Mariner Matt Lewis – will fancy their chances of an upset against Paul Okon’s Mariners side on home soil.
FFA CUP HISTORY
*Blacktown City made an impressive run to the QFs last year before being knocked out by Sydney FC. Qualified for both the 2014 and 2015 editions but failed to progress past the Round of 32.
*Central Coast Mariners suffered a shock loss to NPL outfit Green Gully in 2016 in the Round of 32. Knocked out in the Round of 32 by Wellington in 2015. Progressed to the semi-finals of the 2014 edition before losing to eventual champions Adelaide Untied.
HUME CITY V BENTLEIGH GREENS
Wed August 9, 7.30pm, ABD Stadium, VIC
#HCIvBGR
Two hugely successful sides from Victoria’s PS4 NPL meet in a winner takes all clash at ABD Stadium on matchday four.
FFA CUP HISTORY
*Hume City reached the Semi-Finals in 2015 where they fell to eventual winners Melbourne Victory. Hume made the last 16 in 2016 where they were also knocked out by Victory.
*Bentleigh Greens were the first non A-League team to reach the FFA Cup Semis in 2014 where they beaten by Perth Glory. They progressed to the Quarter Finals in 2016 where they were defeated by Melbourne Victory.
