Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold has conceded it took a little while for the Westfield FFA Cup to grow on him but he insists he is now converted.
Arnold will lead the Sky Blues at AAMI Park on Wednesday night in Sydney's maiden Westfield FFA Cup Final appearance, with Melbourne City standing between them and the trophy.
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Before this year, Sydney's previous best FFA Cup performance was reaching the quarter-finals in the competition's inaugural year of 2014.
But having watched Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory win the FFA Cup over the past two years and seeing how the Australian football community embraced the knockout competition, Arnold made the Cup a key part of his plans for 2016.
"As it goes on it becomes more and more meaningful," he said.
"I know, especially myself, in the first two years it wasn't one of our major goals but it is now to win that trophy and to win silverware.
"So it's becoming bigger and better as time goes on."
Sydney's captain Alex Brosque is also well aware of the importance of the FFA Cup Final, with the veteran attacking midfielder keen to pick up as many trophies as he can before his career comes to an end.
At 33, Brosque was happy to accept that he may not get many more opportunities to win titles.
Brosque won the Hyundai A-League double with Sydney in 2009-10 but that is the extent of his career success at club level.
"You probably appreciate it more as you get older," he said.
"I have played in finals before and they sort of come and you don't notice and they pass you but being a lot older now, I'm definitely the last few days enjoying everything that comes with it even this sort of stuff.
"I know it's not going to be around for too much longer, so definitely enjoying it a lot more."
Both Brosque and Arnold were involved when Sydney lost the Hyundai A-League 2010 Grand Final to Melbourne Victory in the Victorian capital.
Westfield FFA Cup Final 2016
Melbourne City FC v Sydney FC
Wednesday 30 November 2016
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:30pm AEDT
*The Westfield FFA Cup Final 2016 will be LIVE and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 4 (Channel 505) from 7pm AEDT.
Tickets for the Westfield FFA Cup Final 2016 are on sale now, starting at $25 for adults and $5 for kids. Click here for details and to purchase.
