FFA Cup preview: Heidelberg v Sydney United 58

Two clubs from the old national league face-off in what looms as an intriguing Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16 clash, both knowing a win will take them one step closer to national glory.

MATCH DETAILS

Heidelberg United v Sydney United 58 FC

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

Olympic Village, Heidelberg West (VIC)

Kick-off: 7:30pm local (7:30pm AEST)

Referee: Patrick Chaplin

Assistant Referee 1: Jordan English

Assistant Referee 2: Alessandro Arbizzani

Fourth Official: George Lakrindis

AAR 1: Lachlan Keevers

AAR 2: Chris Hope

Tickets: Click here for ticketing details

Online Broadcast: Streamed online at www.foxsports.com.au/football/ffa-cup/ffacupondemand and Apple TV via FOX SPORTS Now

Radio Broadcast: 3XY (1422 AM)

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #HFCvSUN

Heidelberg United squad: 1.Jason KOUTSODONTIS (gk), 2.James CUMMING, 3.Leslie DOUMBALIS, 4.John LAZARIDIS, 5.Daniel VASILEVSKI, 7.Reuben WAY, 9.Kostas KANAKARIS, 10.Jack PETRIE, 11.Mark McGOUGH, 12.Ken ATHIU, 13.Luke BYLES, 14.Daniel HEFFERNAN, 15.Milos ILIC, 16.Angel TARAVILLO, 17.Steven PACE, 18.Andrija ROKSANDIC, 19.Dean JANCEVSKI, 20.Nejc KOLMAN, 21.Andreas GOVAS, 22.Kaine SHEPPARD, 23.Griffin McMASTER (gk), 24.Andrew CARTANOS, 25.Evan MARKAGIANNAKIS (gk), 27.Jovan DURKIC, 33.Anthony PRESLJAK

Sydney United 58 FC squad: 1.Justin PASFIELD (gk), 2.Guiseppe CAMERA, 4.Nathan SHERLOCK, 5.Anthony TOMELIC, 8.Tariq MAIA, 9.Robert MILESKI, 10.Chris TRIANTIS, 11.Daniel DRAGICEVIC, 12.Koen BOSMA, 13.Lachlan ROBERTS, 15.Mark CINDRIC, 16.Stjepan PARIC, 17.Theo KOFINAS, 18.Peter TRIANTIS, 19.Matthew BILIC, 20.Ibrahim HAYDAR, 21.Chris ZUVELA, 22.Luke BABIC (gk), 23.Panagiotis NIKAS, 26.Kristopher VILSMAS

Sydney United players celebrate winning the penalty shootout against South Hobart.

BLUFFER’S GUIDE

Heidelberg were arguably the most impressive of the PS4 NPL clubs in the opening round, easily disposing of a disappointing Broadmeadow Magic on the road in the Hunter.

United blew Magic out of the water with three goals in the opening 45 minutes with a couple of sumptuous strikes and high-quality, attacking football.

With the likes of Central Coast Mariners trialist Dan Heffernan and the explosive Jack Petrie in their line-up, this ambitious side is exciting to watch and, like United, could be a huge danger to A-League opposition should they progress. 

For United, however, this competition seems to bring out their best. Their brilliant comeback win at home to South Hobart in the Round of 32 testament to that. Mark Rudan’s troops made it to this stage last season, too, only to be beaten by Sydney FC in one of the most memorable evenings of the 2014 Cup.

Despite having a disappointing end to their campaign in NSW, they have the creative flair to trouble Heidelberg, especially on the counter attack. And there’s a huge desire to do well on the national stage.

With the PS4 NPL NSW ending over a week ago, the western Sydney outfit should also be fresh and fully fit for the trip south.

WHAT THEY SAY

Dan Heffernan (Heidelberg United striker)

“It’ll be a tough game but it’s definitely a winnable one for us. I’m sure they’ll be thinking the same. I’m sure those behind the scenes at Heidelberg wanted an A-League club but from what I can gather, Sydney United have quite a big history.”

Jerry Bilokapic  (Sydney United Assistant Coach) “It’s a test of character now going away from home. We haven’t done this in a while since the NPL final in Hobart. It’s a great challenge for the boys, a trip away from Sydney and hopefully we can get the job done.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

HEIDELBERG UNITED

League: PS4 NPL Victoria

Current ladder position: 3rd in PS4 NPL Victoria

Latest result: Defeated Dandy Thunder 5-2

Who to watch out for: Dan Heffernan

Official site: www.hufc.com.au

SYDNEY UNITED 58

League: PS4 NPL NSW

Current ladder position: Finished 7th in PS4 NPL NSW

Latest result: 1-0 loss to Sydney Olympic

Who to watch out for: Panny Nikas

Official site: www.sydneyunited58fc.com

** For any goal scored by an amateur or semi-professional club against a Hyundai A-League team during the Westfield FFA Cup, NAB will kick-back $2,500 to the goal-scorer's club.