Hakoah Sydney City striker Lloyd Owusu has warned Queensland giants Palm Beach Sharks not to underestimate his bunch of Bondi battlers in next week’s Westfield FFA Cup tie.
A professional for more than 15 years, Owusu is now playing a leading role for the NSW third-tier club as they chase national glory.
One of the lowest-ranked sides still left in the FFA Cup, Hakoah host the runaway Queensland NPL leaders Palm Beach at Hensley Athletic Park on Tuesday night.
On a bumper final night of round of 32 action, three Hyundai A-League clubs will also be in action.
Champions Brisbane Roar travel to WA to face Stirling Lions, Bayswater City host Melbourne Victory and South Coast Wolves take on Central Coast Mariners.
But it will be just as intriguing at Eastgardens and Owusu declared the hot-favourite Sharks would be foolish to write-off his giant-killing team-mates.
“No disrespect but I heard a couple of people when they first got the draw, a few were saying on Facebook it will be an easy task for them with us being a third-tier team,” the former Adelaide United and Sheffield Wednesday striker told www.theffacup.com.au.
“We don’t mind that, let them do what they want to do. We’re probably the lowest seeded team with South Springvale who already qualified.
“At the end of the day the team that we’ve got – no disrespect to our league – but our team is much better than the league we’re in.
“We’ve got some really good players, ex-pros and some good young players in there so it’s going to be a tough game for Palm Beach.”
Owusu, who knows all about Cup runs during his long career in England, has been in superb form this season netting 16 times in all competitions.
The former Ghana international has been in contact with the likes of Ian Ferguson and a few others in Queensland to find out all he can about the Sharks, who boast former Gold Coast defender Kristian Rees in their ranks.
Palm Beach also have a red-hot striker in Christopher Lucas, who has 31 goals in just 20 matches this season.
But Owusu believes his side are primed for their shot in the Cup after watching intently over the first three weeks of the competition.
“The boys are buzzing. A lot of them have never played in a Cup competition to this extent,” Owusu said.
“A lot of the boys are looking forward to it and everyone is making sure they are in the starting XI.
“A few of the young boys have asked me what it’s like in that atmosphere of the FFA Cup and playing against better opposition. Whenever I can give some of my experiences that I’ve had in the past, hopefully they can take it on from there.
“It’s felt like its dragged on for such a long time, watching all the first round games but next week it’s our turn and we’ll be ready for the big game.”
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Image Courtesy: Football NSW
