South Melbourne Hellas are set for a long-awaited return to the
national spotlight when the second edition of the FFA Cup kicks off on
Wednesday.
The four-time Australian champions take on the Gold Coast's
Palm Beach Sharks at cBus Super Stadium in one of four intriguing round of 32
games set down for Wednesday night - all involving former National Soccer
League teams.
The FFA Cup was a surprise hit in its inaugural run in 2014
as thousands of supporters flocked to suburban grounds across the country to
take in the competition's unique blend of old and new, grassroots and elite.
South Melbourne did not qualify last year but will be out to
prove their privately-held A-League aspirations are not misguided by staging a
strong FFA Cup run.
The Greek-backed club has former top-tier talent on its
books in the shape of ex-Adelaide United midfielder Jake Barker-Daish and
one-time Melbourne Heart goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic, while young winger Nick
Epifano has taken Victoria's National Premier Leagues competition by storm and
is being tracked by several A-League clubs.
Souths will go in as strong favourites to beat Palm Beach
but the Sharks went deep into last year's tournament, reaching the
quarter-finals, and are regarded as one of Queensland's strongest entrants.
Former A-League player Kristian Rees, 35, has been lured out
of retirement to steer Palm Beach's defence after playing a central role in
their march to the NPL Queensland title last year.
Elsewhere on Wednesday night, reigning NPL champions
Metrostars take on Blacktown City in Sydney, current NPL Queensland leaders
Brisbane Strikers battle Hume City in Melbourne, and Heidelberg United travel
north to face local Newcastle outfit Broadmeadow Magic.
The last time Heidelberg were in a national competition,
they were part of a controversial joint-venture with AFL club Collingwood that
lasted just one season in the NSL.
FFA Cup round of 32 - matchday one
Palm Beach Sharks (QLD) v South Melbourne (VIC) at cBus
Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Broadmeadow Magic (NSW) v Heidelberg United (VIC) at Magic
Park, Broadmeadow, Newcastle
Blacktown City (NSW) v MetroStars (SA) at Lilys Football
Centre, Seven Hills
Hume City (VIC) v Brisbane Strikers (QLD) at ABD Stadium,
Meadow Heights
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