FFA Cup 2019 Preview: Round of 16 Match Day 1
A trio of potential giant-killers headline Round of 16 Match Day 1 as they attempt to write their name into FFA Cup history by claiming the prize scalp of a Hyundai A-League power.
Newcastle Jets, Melbourne City and, the defending champions, Adelaide United all put their reputations on the line as teams search to book a place among the final eight teams in the biggest knockout competition in Australian sport.
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Four games across three states will get the ball rolling on Match Day 1, which include a juicy local derby and one of Australia's grand old clubs against a modern-day powerhouse.
Read on to run through the ties, starting off with the only all-Member Federation clash over in Victoria.
Moreland Zebras v Magpies Crusaders
What an opportunity for one of these National Premier Leagues underdogs to punch their ticket to the FFA Cup 2019 Quarter Finals.
The home side have put together a NPL2 West promotion charge in their bid to rejoin the top flight in Victoria, so a trip to the FFA Cup's last eight would surely exceed all expectations.
The Queenslanders, who represent Mackay and the Whitsundays, have struggled towards the bottom half of NPL Queensland this season. They would have experienced little like this sort of occasion since their formation in 2007.
One of these teams will likely face one of the big guns of Australian football come the last eight, and it may be the greatest opportunity either team ever has to write their name in the bright lights.
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Marconi Stallions v Melbourne City
If you stack these two clubs' trophy cabinets against either other, one pales in comparison against the other. And it's not the Hyundai A-League heavyweight who hold all of the gold.
One of Australia's grand old clubs, NPL New South Wales representatives Marconi Stallions, are a four-time national champion, where as Melbourne City have only the 2016 FFA Cup to their name.
It will still take a mammoth upset for the Stallions to overcome Erick Mombaert's men, who impressed in their 3-1 triumph at Campbelltown City in the Round of 32.
Marconi have taken out the Waratah Cup this season, their first silverware since 2012, and following a strong season in NPL NSW, will be confident in sealing their first trip to the FFA Cup Quarter Finals.
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Olympic FC v Adelaide United
If there's one way to make a name for yourself in the FFA Cup, it's by taking out the reigning champions — but this is not Brisbane-based Olympic FC's first rodeo.
The NPL Queensland contenders reached this stage of the inaugural year of the competition in 2014, going down to 3-1 then Hyundai A-League frontrunner, the Central Coast Mariners.
To go one step further, Olympic will need to break Adelaide's run of six straight FFA Cup match wins as the Reds seek to become the first club to successfully defend the FFA Cup.
The only two-time FFA Cup winners put five goals past the Melbourne Knights in the Round of 32 but new coach Gertjan Verbeek could face a wait to get clearance for star striker Kristan Ospeth, according to the Advertiser.
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Edgeworth FC v Newcastle Jets
All eyes will be on ex-Newcastle frontman Daniel McBreen as the Hyundai A-League outfit cross the city to face their NPL Northern New South Wales neighbours.
The journeyman striker scored in the 2012/13 Hyundai A-League Grand Final to clinch the Central Coast Mariners' only Championship, and also took out the Golden Boot that same season.
The 42-year-old first turned out for Edgeworth in 1999 before moving to the then Newcastle United Jets in 2000 and venturing on to play in Romania, England, Scotland and China.
The Eagles are battling with Maitland at the top of NPL Northern New South Wales this season. Newcastle made the Round of 16 the hard way, coming back from two goals down to win at Melbourne Victory.
EDGEWORTH ULTIMATE GUIDE: Vintage connection still ready to fire for NNSW giants
HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE: Arroyo scores, Hoolahan debuts in Jets' pre-season friendly win
