Countdown to the Cup: 12 days to go

Less than two weeks to go, Cup fans! Here are three reasons to get excited about the Westfield FFA Cup's return when the Round of 32 kicks off on Wed July 26.

1: Top strikers face off: Lujic v McBreen

The Fox Sports TV game is from Lakeside at South Melbourne, where South have one of the most potent NPL strikers in recent history.

Milos Lujic (fun fact: his dad Zdravko was also a big name in Aussie club football in the 1980s) is set to start for South against Edgeworth Eagles.

Lujic is on top of the Victorian Golden Boot with 18 goals and has scored over 100 goals for his club over recent years. 

But the Eagles have their own legend up front in Daniel McBreen.

Daniel McBreen

The veteran Hyundai A-League Championship winner is still on fire as he approaches his 40th birthday. And he loves the Cup. 

In front of a big crowd, these two big-name strikers will surely have a big part to play in the destiny of their respective sides.

2: A huge Sydney Derby

It’s East v West in the Harbour City when Hills United host the high-flying Hakoah Sydney City East in a Sydney Derby.

Last time the Cup hosted a Sydney Derby at Lily’s Football Centre it was arguably the greatest ever Cup game we’ve seen when Blacktown defeated Sydney United 58 6-2 one year ago.

What will happen this time?

Hakoah players celebrate their Waratah Cup triumph against APIA Leichhardt on Sunday. Pic courtesy of Football NSW.

3: Cult figure Angelo is back!

Who didn’t love seeing veteran keeper and Cup character Angelo Konstantinou donning the gloves for Olympic FC last year?

And not just donning the gloves but scoring penalties and helping the ACT club make the semis!

Video: Get to know Canberra's FFA Cup cult hero

Last year, with stoppage time just about done and dusted, Konstantinou kept his cool from the spot in the 96th minute to seal his team’s place in the FFA Cup semi-finals.

What a story it was. And the big man with the big personality is back again.

And his side will need all his experience as they fly across Australia to face WA outfit Sorrento FC on opening night. 

At least they’ll have Angelo’s jokes to keep them amused on the flight over.

Angelo Konstantinou

Can his Olympic take us on another magical journey? 

Just 12 days to go...

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