Marconi Stallions’ Road to the FFA Cup Final 2019 will begin in Tasmania with a Round of 32 clash against South Hobart on Wednesday night.
Four-time National Soccer League champions Marconi booked their spot in this year’s competition for the third time after eliminating Sydney Olympic in the final preliminary round in NSW.
They will now look to be this year’s FFA Cup giant-killers, following on from the likes of APIA Leichhardt and Avondale FC in 2018.
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The Stallions’ challenge is a clash with a club that has been winning trophies for over 100 years, having been champions of Tassie 19 times since 1919.
South Hobart – who have made the FFA Cup Round of 32 twice before (2014 and 2015) can boast some 80 trophies in their storied history.
They have lost at this stage of the competition on both occasions – and both via a penalty shootout.
Marconi are one of Australia’s grandest old clubs and have the ability to go deep in this year’s competition.
Peter Tsekenis’ side, which plays out of their Bossley Park home in Sydney’s west, have been Australian national league champions four times (1977, 1980, 1981, 1982).
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It is a collection of championships only rivalled by NPL NSW rivals Hakoah Sydney City East, NPL Victoria giants South Melbourne and Hyundai A-League duo Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.
If they can add the FFA Cup trophy to their illustrious list of honours, it would surely go down as one of the biggest achievements in this proud club’s history.
Road to the FFA Cup Final 2019: Which club will follow in the footsteps of APIA Leichhardt Tigers?
The big story of the 2018 FFA Cup was undoubtedly NSW NPL club APIA who played host to mighty Melbourne Victory in the Round of 16 in August and sent the Hyundai A-League champions back to Victoria with their tails between their legs after a 3-2 defeat.
APIA were unable to repeat their Victory giant-killing act at the quarter-final stage in 2018, losing 2-0 to eventual winners Adelaide United, while Victorian sides Avondale FC – who took holders Sydney FC to extra-time before losing 4-2 – and Heidelberg United also dropped out in the last eight.
Will Marconi be the club that generates national headlines by being the giant-killing story of this year’s competition?
Make sure you check in to the latest videos and news on www.theffacup.com.au as the competition progresses, to see the thrills and spills as we continue our own journey to the FFA Cup Final.
Round of 32 Match Details
South Hobart v Marconi Stallions
Date: Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Venue: Blundstone Arena
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Click here for ticket details
