Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 ties in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and, for the first time, Darwin are played on Wednesday night. So get revved up for the FFA Cup, it’s back for more midweek drama in match day 3.
COVERAGE INFO
FOX SPORTS will broadcast Sorrento’s clash with Sydney FC LIVE on Channel 505 and have updates and crosses to the other three matches, while the other three matches will also be streamed online at www.foxsports.com.au/football/ffa-cup/ffacupondemand and Apple TV via FOX SPORTS Now.
All four matches will kick off at 8.30pm AEST. For ticketing details on all four matches click here
As part of the coverage, FOX SPORTS will feature a half hour Westfield FFA Cup magazine show Fields to Dream that illustrates the history of the clubs.
Westfield FFA Cup 2015 Round of 32: Match Day 3 Fixtures
Darwin Olympic v Adelaide United
MATCH DETAILS
Darwin Olympic v Adelaide United
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin (NT)
Kick-off: 8:00pm local (8:30pm AEST)
Referee: Lucien Laverdure
Assistant Referee 1: Wilson Brown
Assistant Referee 2: Trent Sleeman
Fourth Official: Mark Finestone
Tickets: Click here for ticketing details
Online Broadcast: Streamed online at www.foxsports.com.au/football/ffa-cup/ffacupondemand and Apple TV via FOX SPORTS Now
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #DOLvADL
Darwin Olympic squad: 1.Kane McADAM (gk), 2.Alex TURNER, 3.Louis BUNTIN, 4.Igor ALVES, 5.Stephen AGYEI, 6.Jacob BRANDON, 7.Oldrich DUBSKY, 8.Josh HORVAT, 9.Foday MANSARAY, 10.Michael TSOUNIAS, 11.Kevin MENDA, 14.John DROHAN, 15.Matthew GOODWIN, 16.Michael REID, 17.Billy KATHOPOULIS, 20.Dean MOLOY, 21.Ross TSOUNIAS, 22.Yuki ENDO, 23.Ilias RODITIS, 24.Mitchell AMIDY, 26.James WALSH, 42.Georgios SKARTADOS (gk)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Michael MARRONE,3.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.Pablo SÁNCHEZ, 8.ISAIAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Bruce DJITE, 12.Mark OCHIENG, 13.Dylan SMITH, 14.George MELLS, 15.Ben WARLAND, 16.Craig GOODWIN, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 19.Eli BABALJ, 20.John HALL (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 24.Bruce KAMAU, 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
If Darwin’s part-timers beat the reigning Westfield FFA Cup holders, it’d be the upset of the decade. The fact that Olympic are the first and only Territory side in the FFA Cup Round of 32 adds romance to this – admittedly fanciful – scenario.
United are still digesting the shock news of coach Josep Gombau leaving the club. With new coach Guillermo Amor still adjusting to life in the hot seat, this may offer Olympic a window of FFA Cup opportunity in the Spaniard’s first competitive game in charge.
For Olympic, it’s a massive few days as they revel in their role as representatives of NT football on the FFA Cup national stage. And three days later, Olympic face Hellenic in a top two showdown that’s likely to decide who finishes top of their league.
Darwin Football Stadium is tipped to be full for the biggest game in Darwin for a long time as the FFA Cup spotlight shines on NT football.
After recent hit-outs against Liverpool and Manchester City, can the Reds from Adelaide cope with a completely different FFA Cup challenge against the Reds of Darwin in the Top End?
WHAT THEY SAY
Steve Lolias (Darwin Olympic coach)
"It’s not just about Darwin Olympic, it’s about Football NT, that’s the most important thing for us in terms of who we are representing, Hopefully we can get the crowd support behind us because the players in Olympic jumpers will be doing their absolute best out there.’’
Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United winger)
“It has been quite a luxurious pre-season for us playing Manchester City then Liverpool in front of 50,000 people. It is a bit different but we are professional and this is a competition we want to win. We will focus on our game, we are the favourites.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
DARWIN OLYMPIC
· League: NorZone Men’s Premier League
· Current ladder position: 2nd – won 10 / drawn 1 / lost 1
· Latest result: 4-0 win over Port Darwin
· Who to watch out for: Michael Tsounias
· Official site: www.darwinolympic.com
ADELAIDE UNITED
· League: Hyundai A-League
· Current ladder position: Last season, third in the Hyundai A-League
· Latest result: Friendly: 5-0 win over Adelaide Blue Eagles (28 July)
· Who to watch out for: Marcelo Carrusca
· Official site: www.adelaideunited.com.au
FFA Cup Preview: Rockdale City Suns v Perth SC
MATCH DETAILS
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale (NSW)
Kick-off: 8:30pm local (8:30pm AEST)
Referee: Katie Patterson
Assistant Referee 1: James Tesoriero
Assistant Referee 2: Andrej Giev
Fourth Official: Ben Abraham
Tickets: Click here for ticketing details
Online Broadcast: Streamed online at www.foxsports.com.au/football/ffa-cup/ffacupondemand and Apple TV via FOX SPORTS Now
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #RCSvPSC
Rockdale City Suns squad: 1.David BRADASEVIC (gk), 3.Steven HESKETH, 4.Hristijan TANOSKI, 5.Paul REID, 6.Takuya MURAYAMA, 7.Alec UROSEVSKI, 9.Dylan MACALLISTER, 10.Marko JESIC, 12.Idriss EL HAFIANE, 15.Nicholas PETRILLO, 17.Toufic ALAMEDDINE, 18.David DASCAL, 19.Patrick SAVOR, 20.Mitsuhiro IWAMOTO, 22.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 23.Askin OYGUR, 24.Nicholas SORRAS (gk), 29.Isaac SAVOR, 31.Michael LOUPIS, 32.Matteo PANDOLFO, 36.Stefan DUBOCANIN, 37.Seung WOO, 44.Marko BOSNAR
Perth SC squad: 1.Francis SAOLE, 2.Joshua WILKINS, 3.Aleksandar SUSNJAR, 5.Dean EVANS, 6.Clark KELTIE, 8.Aden DA LUZ, 9.Harley ORR, 11.Francesco FURFARO, 12.Marco SANTALUCIA, 13.Rocco PIZZATA, 14.Mark PRITCHARD, 15.Laurence GAUGHAN, 16.Nicholas AMBROGIO, 17.Reece VITTIGLIA, 18.Josh PEREIRA, 19.Andreas THEODOSIADES, 20.James MAROCCHI, 21.Matt MILENKOVIC, 22.Julian MADASCHI, 23.Alex DUNN
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
Two newcomers to the Round of 32 meet as Perth SC fly to Sydney for an intriguing clash between teams on either side of the country. The West Australians will bring a strike-force to Sydney that is confident and in form following a 2-0 win over fellow FFA Cup side Sorrento on the weekend.
Perth may also play new signing strapping defender Aleksandar Susnjar, a local junior who’s been in Europe for the past five years where he played for Lithuanian club Ekranas in Europa League qualifiers a year ago.
But the Suns have ex-A-League midfielder Paul Reid as player-coach who knows all about Cup matches from his time in England as a player, and he will have the red and black shirts primed for whatever Perth has in store for them at Illinden.
Perth’s fans will be watching the broadcast from Dorrien Gardens hoping their side can do them and WA proud. A club with a rich history (dating back to 1948) will be hoping this FFA Cup clash writes a new and exciting chapter in their rich story.
WHAT THEY SAY
Paul Reid (Rockdale City player/manager)
“We will have people watching them to see how they like to play and where we can hurt them. We want to go as far as we can in this competition because it’s a great opportunity for the club and of course the players to show what they’re made of. I’ve said to the younger players that this is a great chance for them to measure where they’re at with their own personal development but also to put themselves on the map and try to win a contract in the A-League.”
Taki Nicolaidis (Perth SC coach)
“For the playing group, to be able to be in the national spotlight has lifted them an extra gear since we qualified. I said to the boys that we have 20 or 21 players who could potentially be playing and everyone needs to be performing [to be selected]. One good thing about our group is they have that winning mentality.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ROCKDALE CITY SUNS
· League: PS4 NPL NSW
· Current ladder position: 6 th – won 8 / drawn 3 / lost 9
· Latest result: Lost 3-1 to South Coast Wolves
· Who to watch out for: Marko Jesic
· Official site: www.rockdalecitysunsfc.com.au
PERTH SC
· League: PS4 NPL WA
· Current ladder position: 3 rd - won 11 / drawn 2 / lost 4
· Latest result: Beat Sorrento FC 2-0
· Who to watch out for: Reece Vittiglia
· Official site: www.perthsc.com.au
FFA Cup Preview: Sorrento FC v Sydney FC
MATCH DETAILS
Sorrento FC v Sydney FC
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
nib Stadium, Perth (WA)
Kick-off: 6:30pm local (8:30pm AEST)
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant Referee 1: Tim Mihevc
Assistant Referee 2: Michal Jasinski
Fourth Official: David Bruce
Tickets: Click here for ticketing details
TV Broadcast: 8:00pm (AEST) Live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 505
Fields to Dream (Episode 3) 7.30pm AEST on FOX SPORTS 505
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #SORvSYD
Sorrento FC squad: 1.James MORGAN (gk), 2.Danny CAIN, 4.Shaun KILLKELLY, 6.Daryl PLATTEN, 7.James A MORGAN, 8.Ryan PEARSON, 9.Todd HARNWELL, 10.Jason MIRCO, 11.Thomas LEABOURN-BOSS, 12.Jack EADES, 13.Steven McDONALD, 14.Zack EDWARDS, 17.Ahadi ABANDELWA, 18.Sean CANHAM, 19.Jack SALTER, 20.Brad McDONALD, 21.Jordan DODD, 22.Lewis HALL, 24.Scott HOYLE, 34.Luke COLTMAN,49.Conor DOLAN, 60.Neil YOUNG (gk), 61.Jordan BLANK (gk)
Sydney FC squad: 2.Sebastian RYALL, 3.Alex GERSBACH, 4.Zac ANDERSON, 5.Matthew JURMAN, 6.Robert STAMBOLZIEV, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.Christopher NAUMOFF, 12.Anthony BOUZANIS (gk), 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 16.Riley WOODCOCK, 17.Terry ANTONIS, 19.Jacques FATY, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 23.Rhyan GRANT, 24.George BLACKWOOD, 25.Aaron CALVER, 26.Max BURGESS, 27.Mickael TAVARES
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
Sorrento boss Jamie Harnwell was a brilliant player in the A-League for Perth Glory, a defender who could surprise the opposition by also scoring many a goal. But this will be the biggest challenge of his coaching career as he aims to surprise Sky Blues boss Graham Arnold.
The fact that it’s to be played at nib Stadium will please the visitors but with a team still very much in pre-season, don’t rule out part-timers the Gulls pulling off an FFA Cup upset.
Last season’s A-League grand finalists may have new signing Matt Simon up front for at least part of this game. And the Sky Blues had assistant coach Steve Corica watching their opposition last weekend.
For Sorrento, it’s been a successful season so far (despite losing to Perth SC on the weekend). Can they take it to another level on Wednesday night?
WHAT THEY SAY
Jamie Harnwell (Sorrento FC coach)
“To have an A-League grand finalist coming over to Perth to play us here is the stuff dreams are made of and obviously depending on the game it will still be a dream or a bit of a nightmare. It’s a challenge for the players (and) it’s a challenge for me as a coach. Graham Arnold is one of the best tacticians in Australia without a shadow of a doubt and I get to test myself against him in a competitive game.”
Graham Arnold (Sydney FC coach)
"It was a good hit out [against Macarthur in a friendly last week] and I'm happy with the way the boys performed. We scored five goals and I'm happy with the direction we're heading at the moment.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
SORRENTO FC
· League: PS4 NPL Western Australia
· Current ladder position: 4 th - won 9 / drawn 3 / lost 5
· Latest result: Lost 2-0 Perth SC.
· Who to watch out for: Scott Bulloch
· Official site : www.sorrentofc.com.au
SYDNEY FC
· League: Hyundai A-League
· Current ladder position: Finished second in the A-League last season.
· Latest result: Beat Macarthur Rams 5-1 in a friendly
· Who to watch out for: Andrew Hoole
· Official site : www.sydneyfc.com.au
FFA Cup Preview: Croydon Kings v Lions FC
MATCH DETAILS
Croydon Kings v Lions FC
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
Elite Systems Football Centre, Angle Park (SA)
Kick-off: 8:00pm local (8:30pm AEST)
Referee: Daniel Elder
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Toth
Assistant Referee 2: Aaron Galanti
Fourth Official: Rick Schneider
Tickets: Click here for ticketing details
Online Broadcast: Streamed online at www.foxsports.com.au/football/ffa-cup/ffacupondemand and Apple TV via FOX SPORTS Now
Radio Broadcast: 5RTI (531AM)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #CRKvLFC
Croydon Kings squad: 1.Nicholas MUNRO (gk), 2.John PANAGARIS, 4.Michael DOYLE, 5.Luke KLIMEK, 6.Nathan FARRELL, 7.Shaun MCGREEVY, 8.Rocco VISCONTE, 9.Andreas WIENS, 10.Christopher PEPE, 11.Frank VIOLI, 12.Dion GAZETTAS, 13.Jordon FIGNERA, 14.Steven PEPPER, 15.Joseph PUNTURIERI, 16.Peter MERCURIO, 17.Allan WELSH, 18.Jarrod BRAZZALE, 25.Costa ZACHAROPOULOS (gk)
Lions FC squad: 2.Michael BUTTERS, 3.Jason TOBIN, 4.Matija SIMIC, 6.Warren MOON, 7.Andrew BUTLER, 8.Cody LOVELL, 9.Andre BONOTTO, 10.Kado AOCI, 11.Nathan REARDON, 12.Shaun CARLOS, 13.Danyon MOLLEE, 14.Alex JANOVSKY, 15.Alex SCHIAVO, 16.Josh BRINDELL-SOUTH, 18.Timothy MORGAN, 19.Shoheel KHAN, 20.Declan MURPHY (gk), 99.Phillip ZABAKS (gk)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
As MetroStars proved last week, South Australia is one state never to be under-estimated.
This week, PS4 NPL South Australian high-flyers Croydon Kings will hope to bring their superb domestic form to the big stage as in-form Brisbane Premier League outfit Lions FC head to Adelaide.
Two exciting clubs who know little about each other means this could be the most entertaining clash of all on Wednesday night.
The Lions surprised many to qualify out of Queensland on the back of their smashing league form where they sit atop of the Brisbane Premier League (scoring 52 times in 20 matches).
But the red and whites saw off last year’s giant-killers Adelaide City to get to this stage and have stars like Rocky Visconte and Andreas Wiens who can win a game on their own.
Will the home side’s class shine through or can Lions FC pull off a shock win?
WHAT THEY SAY
Andreas Wiens (Croydon Kings striker)
“The boys are looking forward to the FFA Cup because it will be the highest level most of us have played at.”
Graham Ross (Lions FC technical director):
“I don't think any club who has progressed to this stage is not a quality side and playing away will be a new experience for some of our players. We know the standard of football in Adelaide is of a very high quality so we will be expecting a good footballing side no doubt. We have avoided an A-League club so anything is now a possibility. We would have to be underdogs playing away to a club playing at a higher level than us but you can be assured we will go down there with no fear.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
CROYDON KINGS
· League: PS4 NPL SA
· Current ladder position: 3 rd – wins 13 / drawn 6 / lost 5
· Latest result: Drew 1-1 with South Adelaide
· Who to watch out for: Andreas Wiens
· Official site: www.croydonkings.com.au
LIONS FC
· League: Brisbane Premier League
· Current ladder position: 1 st – won 14 / drawn 5 / lost 1
· Latest result: Defeated Wolves FC 4-3.
· Who to watch out for: Kado Aoci
· Official site: www.qldlionsfc.com.au
** For any goal kicked by an amateur or semi-professional club against a Hyundai A-League team during the Westfield FFA Cup, NAB will kick-back $2,500 to the goal-scorer's club.
