Adelaide City’s rising star Thomas Love is confident his side can keep their incredible Westfield FFA Cup run going, declaring they are built for sudden-death football as they prepare for Wednesday night's quarter finals.
City travel to Victoria to play Bentleigh Greens with a spot in the semi-finals and the honour of being the last PS4 NPL club left in the inaugural competition on the line.
“The past two years we’ve performed a lot better in the Cup matches than we have in the league,” striker Love told www.theffacup.com.au.
“We won the Cup last year in South Australia and won it again this year. For some reason we just perform well in the cups.
“I think we just enjoy that type of football. We like to rise to the occasion and just like the big stage.”
Which is also a good way to describe this exciting teenage talent.
Love has risen to prominence in the competition, thanks to his stunning solo goal which sunk Asian Champions League finalists Western Sydney Wanderers FC in the round of 32.
His exploits have seen him attract interest from Hyundai A-League club Adelaide United, where he has been training with the Reds’ youth team for the last couple of months.
Not bad for a kid who is also juggling studying sport and recreation at university as well as part-time work with his football dream.
“I wasn’t really hoping for anything out of the (Westfield FFA) Cup personally but it is nice to have performed well and be out of the (City) youth team,” Love said.
“Hopefully we can keep our run going. It would be a dream come true to get to the final but all we can focus on is this game ahead of us and knowing they are a tough side.
“Everyone would be keen for (a potential semi-final against Adelaide United). We’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves but it would be nice if it could happen.”
Love says City are feeling fresh and doesn’t believe their match-fitness will be down despite not playing a competitive match since they beat Brisbane Strikers 1-0 in the round of 16 more than six weeks ago.
Young striker Anthony Costa got the winner on that occasion and Love believes he will be a key figure again at Kingston Heath.
“Costa’s pretty reliable in front of goal. He’s always good at finishing goals and he’s a presence up front because he’s a big boy,” Love said.
“He holds the ball up well so it is nice having him up there.
Westfield FFA Cup - Quarter final
Bentleigh Greens v Adelaide City
Wednesday October 29, 2014
Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Cheltenham
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local and AEDT)
TV: Live on Fox Sports 3 & 3HD
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