Local derbies to light up opening night of FFA Cup Round of 32

There are six huge Member Federation match-ups on the opening night of the FFA Cup, including a couple of intriguing local derbies.

In NSW, NPL rivals Bonnyrigg White Eagles host Hakoah Sydney City East, while in Queensland there’s a blockbuster clash between Lions FC and Olympic FC.

We take a closer look at how these teams have fared against each other this season and see who might have the edge as these state rivalries are transferred to the national stage.

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WHO: Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Hakoah Sydney City East

WHERE: Bonnyrigg Sports Club

WHEN: Wednesday, July 25 – Kick off at 8.30pm (AEST)

STAR PLAYERS:

Bonnyrigg – Jewook Woo, Shervin Adeli, Sam Galloway

Hakoah – Anthony Frangie, Andre De Jong, Anthony Bouzanis

HOW THEY ARE TRAVELLING:

The White Eagles are currently sitting in seventh spot on the NSW NPL ladder, three points outside the finals places with four matches to go.

From 18 games they have won six, drawn 4 and lost eight.

It’s been a tough campaign for Hakoah, who are currently 11th in the 12-team league, three points behind Bonnyrigg.

Hakoah has won five of their 18 matches in the league, also with four draws and losing 9 times.

MEETINGS THIS SEASON:

The two sides have met twice this season and it’s been Hakoah who have enjoyed success in both of those match-ups.

The first came in the league back in May, with Hakoah running out 2-0 winners at home thanks to two goals in the space of three second-half minutes from Michael Kouta and Andre De Jong.

Their most recent meeting came in the semi-finals of the Waratah Cup just last month, with Hakoah winning a six-goal thriller 4-2 at Valentine Sports Park.

Interestingly, the two sides are set to meet in the league again just three days after they do battle in the FFA Cup.

Hakoah
Pic credit: Football NSW

WHO: Lions FC v Olympic FC

WHERE: Lions Stadium

WHEN: Wednesday, July 25 – Kick off at 7.30pm (AEST)

STAR PLAYERS:

Lions – Chris Maher, Shaun Carlos, Josh Brindell-South

Olympic – Jez Lofthouse, Shane Stefanutto, Kieran Sanders

Lions FC

HOW THEY ARE TRAVELLING:

This match-up could not be set-up any more perfectly. As it stands Lions FC and Olympic FC are currently the top two teams in the Queensland NPL.

It’s been a remarkable campaign so far for Lions FC. While they are just one point ahead at the top of the ladder, they have played two fewer games than Olympic FC.

In 19 matches, Lions have won 16 and lost just three to be on 48 points.

Olympic FC were the early pace-setters but have fallen behind Lions FC heading towards the business end of the season.

They are on 47 points after 21 matches, with 14 wins, five draws and just the two defeats.

MEETINGS THIS SEASON:

If the previous clahses between these two is anything to go by then this will be a tight affair.

The two sides have played twice in the league in 2018, both recording 1-0 wins at home.

Back in February, it was Olympic FC who prevailed by the solitary goal, a seventh-minute strike from youngster Jez Lofthouse.

But Lions FC turned the tables just last month, a second-half strike from Marek Madle proving the difference at Lions Stadium.