We have had it all in the Round of 32. So, get set for more edge-of-your-seat drama on Wednesday night as the last teams for the Round of 16 are confirmed.
Wollongong Wolves v Sydney FC
Wednesday 10 August 2016
Win Stadium, Wollongong (NSW)
Kick-off: 7:30pm local (7:30pm AEST)
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referee 1: James Tresoriero
Assistant Referee 2: Andrej Giev
Fourth Official: Katie Patterson
Tickets: Click here for ticketing details
TV Broadcast: 7.00pm (AEST) Live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 4 (Channel 505)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tags #WOLvSYD #FFACup
Wollongong Wolves squad: 1.Justin Pasfield (gk), 2.Kota Kawase, 3.Darcy Madden, 4.Josh Orchard, 5.James Baldacchino, 6.Zachary Mackenzie, 7.Chris Price, 8.Brendan Griffin,9.Stefan Dimoski, 10.David Stojic, 11.Jake Trew, 12.Daniel Collison (gk), 13.Boden Allport, 14.Luke Foster, 15.Danny Lazarevski, 16.Ben Zucco, 17.Ricky Zucco, 18.Nicolas Bernal,19.Josh MacDonald, 20.Steven Hristovski, 21.Justin Ivanovic, 22.Blake McGinn, 23.Samuel Matthews, 24.Jack Lombo, 25.Ethan Kambisios
Sydney FC squad: 1.Vedran Janjetovic (gk), 2.Sebastian Ryall, 4.Alex Wilkinson, 5.Matthew Jurman, 6.Josh Brillante, 7.Michael Zullo, 8.Milos Dimitrijevic, 10.Milos Ninkovic, 11.Bernie Ibini, 12.Aaron Calver, 13.Brandon O’Neill, 17.David Carney, 18.Matt Simon, 19.George Blackwood, 20.Danny Vukovic (gk), 21.Filip Holosko, 23.Rhyan Grant, 24.Charles Lokoli Ngoy, 25.George Timotheou, 26.William Mutch, 27.Chris Zuvela, 28.Nicola Kulevski, 29.Bai Antoniou, 30.Mitch Evans (gk)
Bluffer's guide
Could we witness another stunning FFA Cup shock?
The Wolves will be hoping to join the giant-killers Green Gully and Redlands United as member federation clubs to eliminate Hyundai A-League opposition in the Round of 32.
For the Fox Sports feature game, a bumper crowd is tipped (10,000 plus at least, perhaps more) for what will be an extra special occasion for Wollongong boss Jacob Timpano, who was a part of Sydney FC's title-winning squad in the inaugural A-League season.
You get the sense he'll need to pull off a coaching masterstroke in this one, especially given the Wolves' form in the PS4 NSW NPL.
The South Coast club’s wins have been few and far between as they flounder around the bottom of the ladder (though they won 1-0 on the weekend, a timely boost you'd have to say).
Gloveman Justin Pasfield gives the Wolves some A-League experience while the likes of Nicholas Bernal and Josh Macdonald (who scored on the weekend) will be among their danger men.
But the Sky Blues will be wary.
After an arduous ACL campaign that ended in May, Graham Arnold's squad is still starting out in their pre-season with only a couple of friendly matches under their belt. Will that make them vulnerable to the battle-hardened Wolves?
The A-League boys still have plenty of quality and experience in their ranks though and the likes of Seb Ryall, Matt Jurman, Filip Holosko, Milos Ninkovic and Matt Simon should ensure Sydney won't be caught on the hop.
The Sky Blues have yet to make a real mark in this competition so could this be the year they go on a Cup run?
The Wolves also have the chance to add some money to their coffers with the NAB Golden Goals initiative, which will see the Westfield FFA Cup partner give any Member Federation club $2,500 for each goal they score against a Hyundai A-League opponent.
See how both teams fared leading into Wednesday
Brisbane Roar FC v Perth Glory
Wednesday 10 August 2016
Ballymore Stadium, Herston (QLD)
Kick-off: 7:30pm local (7:30pm AEST)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: David Walsh
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay
Fourth Official: Rebecca Durcau
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
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tags #BRIvPER #FFACup
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Michael Theo (gk), 4.Daniel Bowles, 5.Corey Brown, 7.Thomas Kristensen, 8.Jacob Pepper, 9.Jamie Maclaren, 11.Tommy Oar, 13.Jade North, 17.Matt McKay, 19.Jack Hingert, 21.Jamie Young (gk), 22.Thomas Broich, 23.Dimitri Petratos, 24.Connor O’Toole, 25.Kye Rowles, 26.Nicholas D’Agostino, 28.Brandon Borrello, 30.Nathan Konstandopoulos, 33.Joey Katebian, 35.Cameron Crestani, 37.Mark Rodic, 40.Joey Champness, 42.Jayden Prasad
Perth Glory squad: 2.Alex Grant, 3.Marc Warren, 4.Shane Lowry, 5.Rhys Williams, 6.Dino Djulbic, 8.Rostyn Griffiths, 9.Andy Keogh, 10.Nebojsa Marinkovic, 11.Richard Garcia, 14.Chris Harold, 15.Brandon Wilson, 16.Joseph Mills, 17.Diego Castro, 18.Mitch Oxborrow, 19.Josh Risdon, 20.Aryn Williams, 21.Jamal Reiners, 22.Adam Taggart, 23.Kosta Petratos, 28.Joseph Knowles, 29.Ross Millard, 30.Jordan Thurtell (gk), 33.Liam Reddy (gk), 40.Nick Feely (gk)
Bluffer's Guide
A week after the city of Brisbane witnessed the biggest upset in FFA Cup history, the Queensland capital hosts two Hyundai A-League sides at Ballymore.
And the visitors know plenty a lot about this competition having reached the last two finals. You sense this year they will threaten again in this the club's 20th anniversary year.
These top six teams from last season have had contrasting off-seasons.
For Perth, this clash will be an early gauge on just how strong this squad is after excellent recruitment (Rhys Williams, Adam Taggart, Rostyn Griffiths, Liam Reddy and others).
Kenny Lowe's men have had good preparation, too.
A three game tour of the Philippines in July began with a goalless draw against Global FC, followed by a 2-1 victory over the UFL All-Stars and a 2-0 win over the Philippines national team.
And though star man Diego Castro won't arrive back in Perth till the end of the month, Andy Keogh, Taggart and Chris Harold pose a potent frontline, while former ECU Joondalup youngster Joe Knowles has looked good in pre-season.
Glory coach Kenny Lowe has put his faith in local talent with more than half his squad now hailing from the state of Western Australia.
It's a powerful statement of faith as the club looks to end their Hyundai A-League trophy drought.
Brisbane have lost Corona, Devante Clut and Javier Hervas, but new Danish signing Thomas Kristensen has a strong pedigree as a box-to-box midfielder and adds to their depleted stocks in the centre of the park.
Roar were defeated by Wanderers 2-1 on the Gold Coast in their first pre-season hit-out on July 29 but retain a strong nucleus including current Socceroos Matt McKay and Jamie Maclaren.
And a win would be ideal in putting the focus back on the football after a tough week for this big club.
See how both teams fared in their latest games
Melbourne Knights v Cockburn City
Wednesday 10 August 2016
Knights Stadium, Sunshine (VIC)
Kick-off: 7:30pm local (7:30pm AEST)
Referee: Jack Morgan
Assistant Referee 1 : George Lakrindis
Assistant Referee 2 : Stephen Toth
Fourth Official: Lachlan Keevers
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
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tags #KNIvCBN #FFACup
Melbourne Knights squad: 1.Michael O’Farrell (gk), 2.Luke Jurcic, 3.Ivan Grgic, 4.Ben Surey, 5.Milan Batur, 6.Damien Miskulin, 7.Christopher Talajic, 8.James McGarry, 9.Jacob Colosimo, 10.Marijan Cvitkovic, 11.Nikola Jurkovic, 12.Anthony Dezic, 13.Anthony Katiforis, 14.Caleb Mikulic, 15.Julius Davies, 16.Jason Hicks,17.Robert Zadworny, 18.Josh Brekalo, 19.Nicholas Glavan, 20.Fraser Chalmers (gk), 21.Stipo Andrijasevic, 22.Daniel D’Sousa, 23.Timmy Purcell, 24.Marcelo De La Plaza, 30.Harry Cakarun (gk)
Cockburn City squad: 1.Luke Radonich (gk), 2.Nathan De Abreu, 3.Joshua Kuser, 4.Euen Grant, 5.Brandon De Abreu, 6.Reuben Tristao, 7.Ali Gholami, 8.Cameron Edwards, 9.Angel Andres, 10.David Araya, 11.Harry O’Brien, 12.Kenel Mouithys, 13.Blake Adams, 14.Liam Murray, 16.Daniel Dols, 17.Jesse Lazzaro, 18.Aden Da Luz, 23.Ryan Barker (gk), Daniel Santich, Andrew Emsavana
Bluffer's Guide
This all NPL clash is tinged with an NSL history.
Cockburn are coached by former Glory player Scott Miller, who was involved in a couple of legendary NSL battles with Melbourne Knights.
No doubt he'll be telling his players how difficult it is on a cold winter's night at Somers St.
Cockburn (formerly known as Spearwood Dalmatinac) may not have a huge profile nationally, but it's a club with some top-drawer players and excellent youth development.
Key players are captain Euen Grant, who played for Airdrie in a Cup clash against Kilmarnock in 2010. He is a solid centre half.
Angel Andres, originally from Malaga and a 2015 All Flags State League Division One Golden Boot, has been very good up front this year, as has Liam Murray.
Former Glory midfielder Cameron Edwards - Ali Edwards' son - has been a key contributor in the middle of the park, while Harry O'Brien (former Glory youth) is a creative option.
Goalkeeper Luke Radonich was on Victory and Glory's books and has represented the Joeys. And he's receiving the best tuition: the club's goalkeeper coach is former Socceroos and Glory keeper Jason Petkovic.
On a night when Perth Glory face Roar in Brisbane, City will hope to seal a WA double in the FFA Cup.
But standing in their way is Andrew Marth's Knights.
This is a young, attacking squad, coached by a Knights legend who, like the club, is pleased to be back on the national stage at a venue where the club have invested their resources to make it one of the best.
The Knights defence is relatively youthful but with former defender Marth - who's been coaching for 20 or so years - they'll be well organised.
Marth has visited WA to scout City and Knights played Melbourne City in a friendly in late July. So, they'll be ready in what is the biggest night of the season.
And in captain Stipo Andrijasevic, Knights have a player on the A-League radar, we’re told. Watch out for him. Nick Glavan, a former Victory youth player, is another teen to keep an eye on.
See how both teams fared in their latest games
Devonport Strikers v Lambton Jaffas
Wednesday 10 August 2016
Valley Road, Devonport (TAS)
Kick-off: 7.30pm local (7:30pm AEST)
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: Luke Brennan
Assistant Referee 2: Wilson Brown
Fourth Official: James Hortle
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
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tags #DEVvJAF #FFACup
Devonport Strikers squad: 1.Nikolas Giantsopoulos (gk), 3.Dominic Smith, 4.Beau Blizzard, 5.Joseph Zupo, 6.Jesse Dance, 7.Brody Denehey, 8.Kieran Mulraney, 9.Brayden Mann, 10.Joel Stone, 11.Adam Gorrie, 12.Chris McKenna, 14.Miles Barnard, 15.Mitchell Blake, 16.Todd Hingston, 18.Michael Dahya, 19.Jack Dance, 21.Thomas Pearce (gk), 22.Harrison Wicks, 23.Nathan Gratton
Lambton Jaffas squad: 1.Bradley Swancott (gk), 2.Luke Willard, 3.Matthew Browne, 4.Kevin Davison, 5.Riley McNaughton, 6.Jobe Wheelhouse, 7.Bailey Jensen, 8.Joel Wood, 9.Rhys Tippett, 10.John Majurovski, 11.Luke Remington, 12.Alex Johnson-Young, 13.Michael Williams, 14.Benjamin Hay, 19.Michael Sessions, 20.Andrew Goldman (gk), Brendan Frost, Joel Grenell, Peter McPherson, Aiden Palozzi, Carter Smith, James Byrnes, Josh Carroll
Bluffer's Guide
The Jaffas' Twitter feed announces proudly to its followers: 'With John Majurovski now leading the line, can we do the unthinkable?'
Well, the unthinkable has already happened in the Round of 32, so why can't the cutely named Jaffas taste some sweet FFA Cup success?
And like Redlands, there is some history behind the area.
Lambton Park has a plaque that commemorates the beginning of football in Newcastle in 1885, when teams from South and North Lambton met.
The club itself was formed in 1957 and the "Jaffas" nickname came in 1978 to help differentiate between the club's two senior sides.
The Jaffas are in the bottom half of the NNSW NPL but like many, will hope the Cup is a circuit breaker.
Majurovski has five goals as has Joel Wood and the side is ably lead by former A-League midfielder Jobe Wheelhouse as their captain - the former Jet is only 31 and still fit as a fiddle.
Luke Reminton and Ben Hay were also recent selections in the NNSW side to face the Jets so there's a bit of quality.
And wisely perhaps, it was an under-strength Jaffas who lost 3-0 to Jets Youth on Saturday.
Coach Jim Pascoe rested Wheelhouse, Hay, Kevin Davison, Bailey Jensen and Joel Wood, who all sat out the clash as they were sitting on four yellows.
But there's quality at Devonport Strikers. In short, this is one helluva machine that's smashed the league this year.
Strikers have enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2016, improving from seventh in the 2015 PS4 NPL TAS to now be sitting clear on top of the table with a league trophy tantalizingly close.
It appears they are on their way to a Cup/League double, having also won the Statewide Lakoseljac Cup to qualify for the FFA Cup.
The Strikers have an impressive 16 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss record in the league in 2016 going into last weekend's round.
At the heart of this defensive unit is a pair of Canadian imports. Goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos is widely regarded as one of the finest keepers to have played at this level in Tasmania.
In front of him there is his towering compatriot, Joe Zupo, a centre back who routinely shuts down the best attackers.
His partnership with former Tasmanian state representative Nathan Gratton gives them a rock solid spine in defence.
The fullbacks Mulraney and Smith don't push on much and are also on the tall side, making for a physically imposing back four that dominates in the air.
The improvement comes from the top with Peter Savill, a former Leeds United player before moving to Tasmania in the 70s to play, taking the top job and immediately stamping his style on the group.
He has them playing a defence first, counter-attacking game with forwards and midfielders required to work hard both ways - player fitness has been a massive focus.
His system requires total commitment and rigid discipline - there is no doubt he has the players buying in and the results speak for themselves.
It is not pretty, but it is very effective.
Another notable addition is Brayden Mann, who returned home after two years at South Hobart: 21 goals in 18 league games this season says it all.
And Mann's willingness to press along with wingers Adam Gorrie and Brody Denehey makes them a mobile front three.
So, the Round of 16 await these two clubs.
New league champions Edgeworth FC have already represented the Hunter in fabulous fashion with a road win in tropical Cairns.
Can the Jaffas jag some more Cup glory for the Hunter in wintry Tasmania, or will the sensational Strikers keep Tassie flag flying high in the next stage of the Cup.
Whatever happens, it'll be an entertaining match with commentary from our favourite Tassie commentators, "Gilly and Corndog".
