Fresh from his team’s success in Sydney on Tuesday night, Palm Beach star Kristian Rees says drawing his former Hyundai A-League club Adelaide United in the round of 16 would be a dream.
Palm Beach Sharks booked their place in the Westfield FFA Cup round of 16 after holding off Hakoah Sydney City to win 2-1 at a chilly Hensley Athletic Field on Tuesday night.
And it was the ex Reds defender Rees who scored after 17 minutes to make it 2-0 following a clinical finish from Daniel Dragicevic in the opening minutes.
The hosts pulled one back in the 68th minute through former Adelaide United front man Lloyd Owusu.
But the NPL Queensland powerhouse held on and for Rees, he now must wait till this Friday for the round of 16 draw on Fox Sports.
“It was good to get off to a flying start early on. It was tough conditions, and we travelled on the day of the game, but I was lucky enough to get on the end of a ball for 2-0 up,” Rees told www.theffacup.com.au
“It was a battle in the end when they [Sydney City] came out firing. And Lloyd’s a big strong man. You know he’ll hold up balls and win headers and he did that for them.
“We had to hang on in the end but a good result,” a jubilant Rees said.
“Happy with that. Hopefully we can go a little further.”
Rees said the Gold Coast and Tweed areas were good catchment bases for talent, which went some way to explaining the Sharks’ strength as a club in the Queensland NPL.
As for Adelaide United drawing Rees' Sharks in the Westfield FFA Cup round of 16?
“I’d be happy to draw any A-League team,” the 34-year-old South Australian added with a smile.
“But playing Adelaide would be amazing. It’ll good to catch up with some familiar faces.
“This whole FFA Cup brings back some good memories.”
