The knockout competition Australia loves is almost upon us with just 19 days to go until the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 kicks off around the country.
And the opening night - on Wednesday, July 26 – spans right across the country and throws up some intriguing match-ups to look forward too.
It’s time to get excited for the fourth edition of the Westfield FFA Cup!
MCBREEN’S EDGEWORTH HEAD SOUTH
The televised match on FOX SPORTS sees Victorian PS4 NPL powerhouse South Melbourne host Newcastle’s Edgeworth Eagles.
South Melbourne produced one of the great fightbacks in the prelim rounds just to qualify for the last 32 and have plenty of goals in them.
With a big and noisy fan base behind them at Lakeside, they’ll fancy their chances of making an early statement.
But the Eagles made the Round of 16 last year and with ageless Hyundai A-League championship winner Daniel McBreen – and crafty Japanese import Keigo Moriyasu - in their side, can’t be discounted.
CUP FEVER HITS SYDNEY’S WEST
Western Sydney will be heaving with the Magic of the Cup with both clubs from the PS4 NSW NPL2 enjoying home ties on the opening night.
In an all NSW affair, Hills United get a crack at PS4 NSW NPL 1 outfit Kakoah Sydney City East at Lily’s Football Centre, the scene of some unforgettable Cup moments in the last few years.
And just 30 minutes down the M4 at Jensen Park, Bankstown Berries will look to bring down South Australian FFA Cup regulars the MetroStars.
Will this be the first Cup upset of 2017?
BIG BATTLE IN THE WEST
The final clash of the night pits WA’s Sorrento FC against last year’s fairy-tale semi-finalists Canberra Olympic at Percy Doyle Reserve.
There won’t be much between these two sides so expect a tight battle which is sure to go down to the wire.
While home ground advantage is always important in Cup football, Olympic – led by their penalty-taking keeper Angelo Konstantinou – will be targeting another long Cup run.
There’s so much to look forward to. Only 19 days to go!
