FFA Cup Preview: Sydney United vs FNQ FC Heat
FFA CUP – ROUND OF 32
12th AUGUST 7:30 KO
SYDNEY UNITED SPORTS CENTRE
#SUvFNQ #FFACUP
Matchday 3 of the Round of 32 sees NSWNPL1 side Sydney United host FNQ FC Heat from Far North Queensland who currently play in the top division of Queensland football. This game provides one of the newest state league clubs to challenge a team with plenty of history.
The current and probably only National Premier League champions Sydney United come into the game with their season coming toward an end. Mark Rudans side sit a disappointing eighth on the NSW premier league table and have been largely inconsistent only managing to win six of the 21 games played so far. However they come into the game off a confidence building few weeks holding Blacktown City to a scoreless draw which saw their resolute defence return after thumping Apia Leichhardt Tigers the week before.
The visitors from Cairns will be coming into this game with a fresh pair of legs after they had the bye on the weekend. Having being formed only recently, the heat currently lie in 5th place on the ladder and have largely impressed in their league plight. They come into the game in an impressive run of form beating Sunshine Coast Fire and fellow round of 32 team Brisbane strikers by 2 goals in as many weeks. They will no doubt be keen to impress on the national stage. They are currently coached by interim Martin Docherty.
Team Profiles:
Sydney United:
Founded: 1957. Current Competition: NSW Premier League (NPL1). NSWNPL1 Premiers (2013), NPL Champions (2013). NSL Premiers (1996–97, 1998–99)
FNQ Heat:
Founded: 2012. Current Competition: NPL Queensland
Road to the cup:
Sydney United:
Win vs Spirit Fc (4-0)
Win vs Fraser Park (8-1)
Loss vs Sydney Olympic (2-4)
Win vs Paramatta Fc (1-0)
FNQ Heat:
Win vs Mareeba United Fc (5-3)
Win vs Northern Fury (4-1)
Win vs Magpies Fc (6-1)
Key Players:
Naturally given Rudans past experience, Sydney United are well drilled defensively. So therefore their key to victory lies in the attacking half and two young players with A-league experience. Joel Chianese and Alex Urosevski will need to step up and use their pace if United are to get the victory.
This clash definitely isn’t short of players with previous A-league experience. For the Heat, it comes through their experienced midfielder and captain Alex Smith. He will be looking to impress on the national stage as he looks to win an A-league contract after stints with Wellington and Gold Coast.
SQUADS:
Sydney United 58 FC squad: 1.Anthony COSTA (GK), 2.Anthony TOMELIC, 3.Christopher ZUVELA, 4.Nathan SHERLOCK, 5.Ibrahim HAYDAR, 6.Mitchell STAMATELLIS, 7.Mirjan PAVLOVIC, 8.Ante TOMIC, 9.Robert MILESKI, 10.Chris TRIANTIS, 11.Luka GLAVAS, 12.Ivan PAVLAK, 13.Richard DARKO, 14.Joel CHIANESE, 15.Mark CINDRIC, 16.Stjepan PARIC, 17.Theo KOFINAS, 18.Alec UROSEVSKI, 19.Matthew BILIC, 20.Jayden DIACONO (GK), 22.Jacob ESPOSITO, 23.Domenico TRIPODI, 30.Luke BABIC (GK)
FNQ Heat squad: 1.Kevin WARD (GK), 2.Jash JENNISON, 3.Calum WOOD, 4.Tamas MAFFEY-STUMPE, 5.Cameron MORRISON, 6.Jake KESLAKE, 7.Josh PIN, 8.Alex SMITH, 9.Ethan DOCHERTY, 10.Crios O’HARE, 11.Zenon CARAVELLA, 12.Cameron NUCIFORA, 13.Thane BEALE, 14.Simon FERNANDEZ, 15.Tom MURPHY, 16.Josh De NITTIS, 17.Jamie CARROL, 18.Matthew MURPHY, 19.Mqondisi NKIWANE, 20.Daniel VALCICAK (GK), 22.David DiLUCCIO, 23.Jamie GOSLING, 24.Mitchell BEVAN
Coverage details: Visit footballnsw.com.au for a LIVE stream of the match
Prediction: 2-2 draw.
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