With the last four entrants qualifying this week, Football Federation Victoria have drawn the Round 7 FFA Cup fixtures, with the winners of these making it through to the national stage, where A-League clubs make their entrance.
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Bentleigh Greens vs Green Gully
Bentleigh Greens, the former quarter and semi-finallists have, along with Hume, arguably the richest history in the cup of all NPL sides. In 2017 they have not faced a top-tier side yet, with their toughest challenge coming in an extra-time 2-0 win over Dandenong Thunder. Since then they’ve put six each past NPL2 strugglers Richmond and SL1 side Morwell.
Last year was the first time Green Gully reached the national stage and they’ll be looking to repeat – or go one better – than their famous run to the quarters last year. Have proved themselves against a range of opposition, knocking out NPL2 outfit Springvale before shutting down ambitious SL1 side Altona Magic, and most recently denying Avondale’s first tilt at the national stage. Josh Brindell-South, Jonathan Bounas and Stephen Hatzikostas are all up against their former employers.
Northcote City vs Heidelberg United
Northcote City haven’t enjoyed a fruitful cup existence even when they were still in the top flight, with 2014 their equal best run – which ended in a Round 7 defeat to St Albans. Two first-up losses to Avondale and St Albans again then followed. The runaway NPL2 West leaders have the chance now to reach the national stage for the first time. Their run has been quite phenomenal so far with an extra-time win over North Geelong, then penalty scenes over Port Melbourne, and also a victory over Mooroolbark – as Griffin McMaster prepares to face off against his old club.
It’s hard to believe Heidelberg United’s clash against Melbourne City in a packed Olympic Village was two editions ago, with their run last year coming to a halt against Green Gully in Round 6. A solid run this year saw them ease past Moreland Zebras, smash SL3 giant killers Knox City, and most recently claim a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Kingston City, with a local derby now awaiting. Also awaiting for Chris Theodoridis and Phil Petreski is a clash against their old club.
South Melbourne vs Dandenong City
For all of South Melbourne’s national ambitions, a penalty shootout defeat to Palm Beach in 2015’s Round of 32 is the most they’ve got to show for the FFA Cup, surrounded by high-profile Round 7 defeats to Bentleigh Greens and Melbourne Knights at state level. Straightforward victories over Eastern Lions and Monbulk kickstarted their 2017 run before a laborious 2-1 victory over NPL2 East cellar-dwellers Box Hill.
This is Dandenong City’s deepest run ever and the NPL2 side have not just proven themselves in the cup, but also rubberstamped their top-flight ambitions with two wins over NPL opposition in Bulleen Lions and Melbourne Knights consecutively (plus a Round 4 win over Hoppers Crossing). Ljubo Milicevic, David Stirton, Steven Topalovic, Shaun Kelly and Luke Eyles will all face off against their old club.
Hume City vs Moreland City
Hume City’s last two cup runs have arguably taken advantage of some favourable draws until being knocked out by Melbourne Victory in the quarters and semis. This year they’ve not yet faced top-flight opposition – like Bentleigh and South – most recently seeing off North Sunshine 5-0 and also defeating NPL2 side Nunawading 3-0 and another SL1 club in Langwarrin 8-0, taking their record to 16-0 across three games so far.
Moreland City are the surprise packets so far, one of three NPL2 clubs but the lowest ranked of all (behind East and West leaders Dandenong City and Northcote). Their run was headlined by a fantastic 4-2 win over 2015 quarter-finalists Oakleigh Cannons, having also defeated another top-flight club in strugglers St Albans in Round 4, sandwiching a more straightforward outing against SL2 club Hume United.