So many subplots surround the FFA Cup Semi Finals 2019 but one storyline in particular could play out as an iconic moment in the nation's football history.
We have the most successful team in competition history, the only multi-time winners, Adelaide United seeking to further cement their FFA Cup dominance.
There is Central Coast Mariners, a fallen Hyundai A-League giant hungry to end a seven-year drought and complete their collection with the only trophy they have never won.
Then we have Melbourne City. A team striving to relive their greatest achievement of lifting the FFA Cup in 2016 and build the momentum to spark a new era of success.
That makes three Hyundai A-League clubs all with newly-appointed head coaches, each desperate to begin sculpting a legacy by lifting silverware so early in their reigns.
But the one outcome which would create the most ground-shaking moment is the ultimate giant-killing: NPL Queensland side, Brisbane Strikers, marching all the way through to the FFA Cup Final.
Can the unthinkable finally happen? We look at next week's Semi Finals below.
FFA Cup 2019 | Semi Final match schedule
|
Date |
Home |
Away |
Venue |
Local |
AEST |
|
|
Tue 1 Oct* |
Brisbane Strikers (QLD) |
v |
Melbourne City FC |
Perry Park, Bowen Hills, QLD |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
|
Wed 2 Oct* |
Central Coast Mariners |
v |
Adelaide United |
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, NSW |
7:30pm |
7:30pm |
* Broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports
Now or never for Brisbane Strikers?
Who knows if 1997 Australian champions will ever be in this position again. If they are, it will almost certainly be with a different group of players.
Tuesday will be the day of reckoning for the Brisbane Strikers. If each player can step up and deliver the performance of their lives against Erick Mombaerts' Melbourne City, Owen Baker's men will create a moment that will be remembered forever.
The Strikers have already created history before they even run out at Perry Park as the first ever Queensland team to reach an FFA Cup Semi Final.
The best result a Member Federation team has ever posted in a final four contest is a two-goal defeat, Bentleigh Greens going down 2-0 against Adelaide in 2018.
To rewrite the record books, Strikers will need to produce the mother of all upsets against a City side led by the impressive Jamie Maclaren and Craig Noone in this year's cup run so far.
‘BRING THEM ON’: Strikers pip Roar to make FFA Cup history
LETHAL PARTNERSHIP: Noone and Maclaren's FFA Cup show rolls on for City
Can the fallen giants stop the cup specialists?
In the seven-season spell between 2007 and 2014, the Central Coast Mariners only finished outside of the Hyundai A-League's top four once, while lifting two Premiers Plates and a Championship.
The end of their golden period coincided with the launch of the FFA Cup and the Mariners fell at the final hurdle of the 2014 competition, in a 3-2 Semi Final defeat against Adelaide.
Before this season's competition, the Yellow and Navy had gone four years without winning a single FFA Cup match, a stark contrast to the FFA Cup resume put together in the City of Churches.
The Reds have reached three of out five finals, and have been crowned champions twice under Josep Gombau in 2014 and Marco Kurz in 2018.
It's a winning habit that new head coach Gertjan Verbeek will be determined to emulate on Wednesday but it will not be easy. The arrival of Alen Stajcic has brought an all-new hope to Gosford.
WARY REDS: Success-starved Mariners provide dangerous opponent says Strain
CONFIRMED: FFA Cup 2019 Semi Finals draw in full
