Marconi are relishing their chance to be back on the national stage in the FFA Cup and have declared they “won’t die wondering” in Wednesday night’s Round of 32 clash against Avondale.
The former National Soccer League giants face a tricky trip to Victoria to play the third-placed side in the NPL at ABD Stadium.
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It’s the first broadcast match of this year’s FFA Cup and will be shown live on Fox Sports from 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday 25 July.
For the Stallions, it’s a chance to make a mark in the national spotlight and they plan to make the most of it.
“I don’t want to die wondering, we’ll give it a good crack,” coach Peter Tsekenis told www.theffacup.com.au.
“We aren’t going to be sitting back, I can guarantee you that.
“If the other team is good enough to hold us off and get past us, then so be it.”
Tsekenis has overseen somewhat of a rebuild at Marconi, helping the club back into the NPL after a couple of years in the second tier in NSW.
They are currently sitting seventh in their first season back in the NSW top flight, five points outside the finals places with two games to go.
While the finals in NSW still remain a focus for the club heading towards the business end of the campaign, the Marconi boss is happy to be fighting for honours on two fronts.
“It’s [the FFA Cup] an opportunity for the member clubs to put themselves up against the best in the country,” Tsekenis said.
“The players look forward to these occasions. It’s good for the coaches, it’s good for the players, the clubs are excited about it.
“And it gives the fans an opportunity to see their club play on the national stage.”
The Stallions boast a squad with a good mix of youth and experience, including former Hyundai A-League players like Michael Beauchamp, Mateo Poljak, Marc Warren and Marko Jesic.
For Beauchamp, who has played for the Caltex Socceroos at a FIFA World Cup™ and won Premierships in the Hyundai A-League, he’s excited by the chance to play in a match which has such huge significance for his current club.
“It’s great for the boys to be on this stage. Across the board, the (NSW) NPL boys, the VPL [Victorian NPL] boys, it’s a chance for them to show what they can do,” the Marconi defender said.
“These chances of being on televised games are few and far between unless you are in the A-League. It’s a chance for these players to put themselves on the stage where one game can change their career.
“It gives them an opportunity to showcase themselves and hopefully a few boys can do that on the day.
Asked about the challenge of taking on Avondale, Beauchamp added: “To get to this stage of the FFA Cup they definitely have some talent there.
“I’ve had a quick look at them since we drew them, they are sitting third on the table, have scored a lot of goals and conceded not many. I’m sure it’s going to be a tough challenge.
“[But] on the day its one game, anything can happen. You have to prepare like any other game and hopefully we can come out on top.”
