Victoria have four new representatives on the national stage as Hume City, Oakleigh Cannons, South Melbourne and Heidelberg United had their fate determined in the 2015 FFA Cup Round of 32 draw, which took place this afternoon.
All four Victorian clubs avoided A-League opposition in the opening round of the competition, with three fixtures lined up against Queensland sides. Here’s how the teams were drawn:
Hume City were drawn early in the piece, and get a home game to start. They host NPLQLD side Brisbane Strikers who enjoyed success in last years competition, making it into the Round of 16.
In a mirror image draw to their counterparts Hume, Oakleigh Cannons also get the chance to host an NPLQLD side as Jack Edwards Reserve looks set to play home to Far North Queensland FC Heat. The battle of the debutants looks set to draw in a bumper Victorian crowd.
South Melbourne make the trip to Palm Beach SC, the same away fixture that South Springvale Aris made in the competition last year. Their opponents are well versed in what it takes to succeed in the FFA Cup, having made it to the quarter-finals in last years event.
Players and staff at the Beachcomber Cafe awaiting the FFA Cup draw #FFACup pic.twitter.com/NuGO5VdQRN
— South Melbourne FC (@smfc) July 1, 2015
Coach Chris Taylor was left mildly disappointed to have drawn an away fixture first up, but is rightly excited about the prospect of showcasing their ability on the national stage once again. “We’re obviously a very proud club and we’re probably the biggest club in Australia. Everyone is excited to be back on the national stage again,” he told Fox Sports News 500. “The fact that we’re drawn away may disappoint some of our fans, as we would’ve gotten a big crowd in at home, but there’s no better place to go than the Gold Coast. So we’re delighted with the draw.” Despite adding new lighting fixtures to Olympic Village in preparation for the competition, Heidelberg United travel first up to Newcastle based Broadmeadows Magic who last year were knocked out at the first hurdle.
So we’ve been drawn Broadmeadow Magic away at Newcastle.
Posted by Heidelberg United FC on Tuesday, 30 June 2015
The two Melbourne based A-League clubs – having made the semi-finals of the post season – were both drew away fixtures to State League clubs.
Melbourne City face Northern New South Wales based Edgeworth FC, who are making their debut in the competition. City will be determined to make it through the banana skin fixture, and put themselves into the Round of 16 for the first time.
Fellow debutants – and competition minnows – Balmain Tigers host the Melbourne Victory in another NSW vs. Victoria clash. The Victory fell to Perth Glory in the quarter-finals last year and will be desperate to reach new heights in 2015. But for the fourth Tier Tigers, this’ll be the biggest game in their clubs history.