FFA Cup 2021 Round of 16 action continues on Tuesday night with Avondale FC and Wellington Phoenix going head-to-head at ABD Stadium (7:30pm kick-off AEDT, 9:30pm NZDT).
A Quarter Final clash against Melbourne City is on the line, with Avondale looking to match their run from 2018, and Wellington looking to reach the last eight for the first time in their history.
The Avengers qualified for the last 16 after their Round of 32 opponents, Devonport City Strikers, were forced to withdraw as result of COVID-19 related border closures and associated restrictions.
Zoran Markovski’s side got their first taste of competitive action in several months when they defeated Hume City 1-0 in the Dockerty Cup Final on December 4 thanks to a late Stefan Valentini penalty.
How to watch: Avondale FC v Wellington Phoenix
Valentini was the NPL Victoria’s top scorer with 14 goals to his name with Avondale top of the table when the 2021 season was abandoned after 18 rounds of action.
Valentini looms as one the Avengers biggest goal threats heading into Tuesday’s match. However, in a blow for the Victorians, Valentini's strike partner Liam Boland will be forced to sit out after being sent off in the Dockerty Cup Final.
Boland is no stranger to a ‘Cupset’, with the 29-year-old scoring an iconic wonder goal from distance as Green Gully defeated Central Coast Mariners in the Round of 32 in 2016, so his experience will be sorely missed.
Meanwhile, Wellington booked their spot in the last 16 with a first-half Ben Waine header proving decisive in a 1-0 win over Western United.
Ufuk Talay blooded a number of youngsters as part of a rotated line up in Wellington’s Round of 32 win, with further changes likely for Tuesday’s clash which is bookended by a pair of A-League Men fixtures within a week.
Wellington come into Tuesday’s match off the back of a disappointing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle Jets on Friday at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Phoenix sit ninth after four rounds of A-League Men action with a win, a draw, and two losses to their name so far.
Australian viewers can catch all the action from Tuesday’s match live & free on 10 Play while for viewers from New Zealand, the match will be available to live stream via our official YouTube channel.
FFA Cup 2021 Round of 16
Avondale FC v Wellington Phoenix
Date: Tuesday, 14 December
Venue: ABD Stadium, Broadmeadows, VIC
Time: 7:30pm AEDT, 9:30pm NZDT
Broadcast: Live & free on 10 Play
Tickets: Buy here
