One of the biggest NPL sides in the country is hoping to become the first non-Hyundai A-League club to make the Westfield FFA Cup final. But it won't be easy.
Standing in their way are Graham Arnold's all-conquering Sydney FC.
Here's all you need to know about this mouth-watering semi-final clash.
WHEN AND WHERE
Wednesday October 11
Lakeside Stadium, South Melbourne
Kick-off: 7.30pm
HOW THEY GOT THERE
South Melbourne's preliminary campaign began with a 2-0 win over Eastern Lions SC before victories against Monbulk Rangers SC (4-0) and Box Hill United SC (2-1).
They then produced a stunning comeback to reach the round of 32, scoring four goals in 13 minutes to beat Dandenong 5-4.
Once there, the famous Victorian club beat Edgeworth Eagles 1-0 courtesy of an added time goal from Milos Lujic and made the last eight with a comfortable 4-1 win over Sorrento FC.
But South Melbourne saved their most impressive performance for the quarter-finals, breezing past Gold Coast City 6-0 with Lujic and Matthew Millar both nabbing braces.
The Sky Blues opened their campaign with an 8-0 thrashing of Darwin Rovers with Bobo scoring four times.
The Brazilian striker was again on the scoresheet in the round-of-16 as Sydney FC eased past Bankstown Berries 3-0.
In the quarter-finals, the Sky Blues were again impressive, downing fellow Hyundai A-League side Melbourne City 2-0.
A Jordy Buijs free-kick thunderbolt and a clever finish from skipper Alex Brosque were enough to see Sydney FC through to the final four.
RECENT FORM
South Melbourne's NPL season finished over a month ago and their last competitive hit-out was the quarter-final win over Gold Coast City.
To compensate, extra players have been brought in to allow for full intra-squad matches in the lead-up to this massive encounter.
Sydney FC started the defence of their Hyundai A-League title on Saturday night with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory in a grand final rematch.
WHAT THEY SAID
Nick Maikousis, South Melbourne football director
“This is a major chance for us to show what we are about.
“In footballing terms everyone knows that it will be difficult for us to go up against the champions who are all full-timers.
“But we can use the game to show that we have the supporter base, the infrastructure and the whole underpinnings of a club that could make the step up.”
Graham Arnold, Sydney FC coach
“It's a great occasion for us.
“There'll be a big crowd at Lakeside and we'll be treating them like we treated Melbourne Victory - with total professionalism.
“And we expect to win the game.
“I haven't even looked at South Melbourne to be honest - I'll do that tonight and tomorrow.
“We'll look at the footage of them and we've had a few people give us reports about them.”
