Papas ‘satisfied’ with Cannons’ FFA Cup draw

Oakleigh Cannons coach Arthur Papas is confident his side can compete with MetroStars when the two sides face each other in the FFA Cup Round of 16 in Adelaide.

In the FFA Cup Round of 16 draw on Wednesday, the Cannons, fresh from defeating Far North Queensland on penalties on Tuesday ngiht, drew MetroStars in Adelaide. 

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It pits two sides who’ve enjoyed Cup success despite less than stellar league seasons in their respective NPLs.  

The Cannons celebrate winning in a penalty shoot out against FNQ Heat.

“It’s a draw we can be satisfied with,” Papas told www.theffacup.com.au

“It still will be a difficult game. They  haven’t had the best of seasons in the league but in the FFA Cup they’ve been very strong winning their last game away from home.

“But it gives us a chance, if we’re at our best, to possibly push into the last eight [of the FFA Cup].

“If we’re are at our best, like we were from the second half yesterday [against Heat], we should go there with confidence.”

Papas noted MetroStars' performance away from home against Blacktown in the Round of 32, an impressive come-from-behind 2-1 win.

MetroStars FC players celebrate their second goal against Blacktown City.

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“They changed their game in that game. In the first half they played a little within themselves.

“But they became a lot more aggressive in the second half and pressed a lot higher. And that’s where they got some joy from.

“They are well coached and with some pretty experienced players who’ve tasted the A-League level. Their league form is similar to ours but in saying that last year they won the national NPL finals series.

"Now we'll start looking at them more closely and get some feedback from a couple of people. And obviously I've got to wait to see which day we play them as we also have three league games to go in the next ten days. 

Dean Piemonte of the Cannons is congratulated by team mates after scoring against the FNQ Heat.

"We have a relatively small squad so we have to manage them as best we can but it'll be good for us to travel as a team. I can only see a positive for us in that regard."