Five of the six Victorian representatives won their FFA Cup Round of 32 fixtures, essentially highlighting the state’s strength in the competition. Only South Melbourne bowed out, albeit controlling long periods of their contest. With Round of 16 action starting tonight, we’ve had a look at the opposition the Victorian teams will be facing.
Heidelberg United vs Sydney United
Wed 26 Aug 2015, 07:30PM – Olympic Village
Formed as Sydney Croatia in 1958, the three-time NSL Grand Finalist is the former home of Socceroos Tony Popovic and Zeljko Kalac. Most recently crowned the 2013 NPL champions in NSW under the guidance of Mark Rudan, they’re having a more difficult season in 2015, currently in 7th place.
United just snuck past South Hobart in the Round of 32, coming from behind to draw 3-3 before triumphing on penalties. They also reached the Round of 16 last year, losing 3-1 to Sydney FC in a pulsating contest.
Despite their stuttering form in the league, Heidelberg are coming off a 5-2 win in the final round against Dandenong Thunder, and did notch up a comfortable 3-1 away victory over Broadmeadow Magic in the Cup. With plenty of Croatian support expected at Olympic Village to spur the opposition on, the contest should be a blockbuster.
Melbourne City vs Wellington Phoenix
Wed 26 Aug 2015, 07:30PM – AAMI Park
Both teams are coming off narrow Round of 32 victories, as Melbourne City needed two sensational free kicks by Aaron Mooy to overcome Edgeworth 2-1. Wellington brushed past Central Coast 1-0 after a horror mistake at the back to Paul Izzo allowed Appiah-Kubi to score.
With Nathan Burns overseas and new signing Jeffrey Sarpong unlikely to feature, Wellington will still have plenty of firepower through the likes of Mike McGlinchey, Roly Bonevacia – who helped bring Sarpong over – and Alex Rodriguez.
City don’t have a strong record in the competition’s short history, losing to Sydney last season at their first bite.
Hume City FC vs Sydney Olympic
Tue 01 Sep 2015, 07:30PM – ABD Stadium
Founded as the Pan-Hellenic Football Club in 1957 by Greek immigrants, the club changed its name to Sydney Olympic in 1977 and won two NSL Grand finals. Olympic launched the career of Brett Emerton, and was also home to a host of other Socceroos.
Hume’s opponents beat Gungahlin United 1-0 in the Round of 32 and are in their second consecutive stint on the national stage, defeated in the same round last year by Bentleigh Greens. City, meanwhile, will be confident of a result, having come from behind a number of times to triumph over Brisbane Strikers 4-3, in a game for the ages.
MetroStars vs Oakleigh Cannons
Tue 01 Sep 2015, 07:30PM – Elite Systems Football Centre
The club initially known as the Metro Knights was formed in 1994, before a name change to the North Eastern MetroStars in 1998. The current National NPL champions are a heavyweight of South Australian state league football, winning a number of titles. They were once even home to Shane Smeltz.
Oakleigh will have to contend with former A-League player and one-time Socceroo Fabian Barbiero, though like the Cannons, MetroStars’ form has been patchy in the league, sitting in 7th spot. They beat Blacktown City 2-1 to get to this stage, whereas Oakleigh survived a thrilling penalty shootout against Far North Queensland Heat.
Rockdale City Suns vs Melbourne Victory
Tue 01 Sep 2015, 07:30PM – Jubilee Oval
The Rockdale “Ilinden” Soccer Club was formed in 1969 by Macedonian immigrants, and has been a mainstay of NSW state league football since. It’s been a promising few years for the club, as after promotion to the NSW Premier League, Branko Culina took over in 2013 and made the grand final that year, eventually losing to Bonyrigg White Eagles.
The Suns are coming off a 3-1 win over Perth SC in the Round of 32, but Victory are also in ominous form following their 6-0 victory over Balmain, and a recent 4-0 win over Port Melbourne in a friendly.