The era of Premier League great Robbie Fowler at Brisbane Roar begins with an FFA Cup Round of 32 trip to Sydney FC - one of the standout fixtures made in Wednesday's national round draw.
That all-Hyundai A-League clash is one of four we've pencilled in as fixtures you must not miss when the Round of 32 fixture details are released.
What are the others? Read on to find out.
DRAW: Round of 32 revealed
FLASHBACK: Five incredible FFA Cup giant-killings
SCHEDULE: Everything you need to know about the Final Rounds
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Liverpool legend Fowler has been given challenging circumstances in which to begin his reign at Brisbane Roar and start his career in full-time coaching: an away trip to Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney.
The former Premier League marksman may only have had three weeks on the pitch with his Brisbane side – who have recruited six new players and will unveil two more signings on Thursday – by the time Roar face Steve Corica’s Sky Blues.
But with fans in Australia and around the world watching Fowler’s debut, Brisbane will want to make a big impression. And what better way for the Queenslanders to flag their lofty ambitions than by sending the three-time finalists and 2017 champions packing?
Maitland FC v Central Coast Mariners
Their presence alone in the Round of 32 draw is evidence enough of Maitland FC’s trajectory, which has only gone up since the club ended a 12-year stint outside the top flight by winning promotion to the Northern NSW NPL in 2014.
But if the NNSW middleweights were to claim the scalp of Alen Stajcic’s Central Coast Mariners, the Magpies – the former club of inaugural World Cup Caltex Socceroos Col Curren and Ray Baartz - would well and truly put themselves back on the map.
READ: Back from the wilderness, Maitland are gunning for FFA Cup glory
They’ll more than fancy their chances of a giant-killing in the coalfields. The Mariners have been knocked out twice in the Round of 32 by state league opposition, beaten 2-1 by Green Gully in 2016 and losing 3-2 to Blacktown City in the 2017 edition.
Another shock exit would be the worst possible way for Stajcic to start his first full season at the helm, and a situation the Gosford club will be absolutely desperate to avoid, meaning this fixture should be packed with intensity.
South Hobart v Marconi Stallions
They wanted to draw a Hyundai A-League club, but a Round of 32 date with ex-National Soccer League powerhouse Marconi Stallions will do just nicely for South Hobart.
South – back in the tournament for a third time and the first since 2015 – are aiming to banish heartbreaking memories of penalty shootout defeats to Tuggeranong (2014) and Sydney United 58 (2015).
Long-serving coach Ken Morton was at the helm for both of those defeats, and hopes it will be third time lucky in 2019, against a Stallions side boasting one of the NPL NSW’s most talented rosters but currently languishing in a disappointing ninth position.
“I think at home it's winnable, we have a chance, but let’s not jump the gun, they’re a good side coming out of a strong competition,” Morton told The Mercury.
“The NPL in Sydney is strong, so we’ll have to do our homework and we’ll have to be at our best. It’s a super, super draw for us.”
Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers
Hyundai A-League Premiers Perth Glory have a taste for silverware now, and the two-time FFA Cup finalists will be looking to go all the way in 2019.
That would be some signal of intent from Tony Popovic's side - the Hyundai A-League benchmark in 2018/19 - but standing in the way are the Glory taskmaster’s former employers, Western Sydney Wanderers.
Pre-season is building nicely for the Wanderers, who have added some exciting international talent to their roster and can look forward to playing at their Parramatta home again.
Markus Babbel's side will have warmed up for their trip to WA with what is sure to be a fiery clash against Championship club Leeds United on July 20. Are the Wanderers the real deal this season? Beating Perth would hint that they just might be.
FFA CUP 2019 | ROUND OF 32 FIXTURE SCHEDULE
Date |
Home Team |
Away Team |
Venue |
Kick-off time (local) |
Kick-off time (AEST) |
|
Wednesday 24 July 2019* |
Olympic FC (QLD) |
v |
Bayswater City FC (WA) |
Perry Park, Bowen Hills, QLD |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 24 July 2019 |
FC Bulleen Lions (VIC) |
v |
Moreland Zebras FC (VIC) |
David Barro Stadium, Bulleen, VIC |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 24 July 2019 |
Mount Druitt Town Rangers FC (NSW) |
v |
Manly United FC (NSW) |
Popondetta Park, Emerton, NSW |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 24 July 2019 |
Magpie Crusaders FC (QLD) |
v |
Coomera Colts SC (QLD) |
Sologinkin Oval, Glenella, QLD |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 24 July 2019 |
Adelaide Olympic FC (SA) |
v |
Floreat Athena FC (WA) |
VALO Football Centre, Angle Park, SA |
7:00pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 24 July 2019 |
Darwin Olympic SC (NT) |
v |
Edgeworth FC (NNSW) |
Darwin Football Stadium, Marrara, NT |
7:00pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 31 July 2019* |
Campbelltown City SC (SA) |
v |
Melbourne City FC |
Steve Woodcock Sports Centre, Newtown, SA |
7:00pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 31 July 2019 |
Maitland FC (NNSW) |
v |
Central Coast Mariners |
Maitland No.1 Sportsground, Maitland, NSW |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 31 July 2019 |
Tigers FC (ACT) |
v |
Hume City FC (VIC) |
Deakin Stadium, Deakin, ACT |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 31 July 2019 |
South Hobart FC (TAS) |
v |
Marconi Stallions FC (NSW) |
Blundstone Arena, Bellerive, TAS |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 31 July 2019 |
St George FC (NSW) |
v |
Sydney United 58 FC (NSW) |
Illinden Sports Centre, Rockdale, NSW |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 7 August 2019* |
Melbourne Knights FC (VIC) |
v |
Adelaide United |
Knights Stadium, Sunshine North, VIC |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 7 August 2019 |
Sydney FC |
v |
Brisbane Roar FC |
Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield, NSW |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 7 August 2019 |
Perth Glory |
v |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
Dorrien Gardens, West Perth, WA |
6:30pm |
8:30pm |
Wednesday 7 August 2019 |
Melbourne Victory |
v |
Newcastle Jets |
AAMI Park, Melbourne, VIC |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Wednesday 7 August 2019 |
Brisbane Strikers (QLD) |
v |
Wellington Phoenix |
Perry Park, Bowen Hills, QLD |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
Note: Details are subject to change
* Match Broadcast LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS