Westfield FFA Cup preview
Palm Beach Sharks v South Springvale
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Robina
KO: 7.30pm
#PBSvSS
Referee: Alan Milliner
Coverage details: LIVE updates on FOX SPORTS 3 and 3HD
Fatigue could be an issue for Queensland’s NPL champions against the self-proclaimed “pub side” from Victoria.
Palm Beach have had a busy schedule over the past few weeks and Tuesday night’s clash will be their fourth game in just 12 days.
They are a fit bunch under coach Grae Piddock, though.
It started with their Queensland NPL grand final triumph back on September 12, followed by a 9-0 hammering against the Roar in a friendly a few days later.
Grae Piddick’s side then travelled to Weston Workers on the weekend for the PS4 NPL finals, coming from a goal down to win 2-1.
Star striker Chris Lucas grabbed the equalizer on Saturday and will again be the go-to man for the home side.
Jarrod Kyle, once on the books of Sydney FC, and defender Kristian Rees make the Sharks warm favourites in this one.
But you would never write off the battlers from South Springvale.
The bunch of part-timers from Victoria’s third-tier have been the fairytale story of the competition so far and why can’t it keep going on the Gold Coast?
Goal-keeper Rani Dowisha was the hero in the last round but in a blow for Bill Lambropoulos, Darragh Ryan and ex-NSL midfielder Billy Damianos were unable to get time off work and won’t play.
They still have some great talent, including Sotiros Dimitrakopoulos, Hameed Ali, Luke Burgess and Alexandru Florea, who are ones to keep an eye on.
Could there be another Cup shock on the cards?