A proud club with a rich history in domestic Australian football, Sydney Olympic are set for their biggest night in years when they welcome A-League Men's heavyweights Sydney FC to Belmore Sports Ground on Wednesday night.
While the odds will be stacked against the NPL NSW outfit, they'll be out to give their passionate set of supporters something to cheer about as they look to amount the first Cupset of 2021.
Coached by former Socceroo Ante Juric - who also oversees Sydney FC's A-League Women's side - Olympic are set for their first FFA Cup Round of 32 contest since 2016.
They come up against a club that lifted the Cup in 2017 and will enter this knockout contest just a few days after kicking off their domestic campaign with a 0-0 draw against cross-town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.
Despite Sydney FC and Olympic having never met in a competitive fixture at senior level, there is a strong derby vibe to the contest - with a handful of stars having pulled on both shirts in the past.
Most notably, one of Sydney FC's headline off-season signings, Max Burgess, will be returning to his old stomping ground where he could come face-to-face with his brother Darcy.
With a star-studded squad posing the likes of Milos Ninkovic, Bobo and Adam Le Fondre in attack, the Sky Blues will take some stopping - but Olympic have also assembled a competitive roster, led by a prolific marksman of their own.
Former Central Coast Mariners, Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets striker Roy O'Donovan has joined the former NSL giants ahead of the 2022 season, and is set to make his debut for the club against a familiar foe.
Juric also has the likes of Fabio Ferreira, Adam Parkhouse and Michael Glassock at his disposal - all players with A-Leagues experience - as well as new signings Matthew Cordier, Sam McIllhatton and Niko Ujdur, who all have spent time developing within A-League academies.
The off-season signing spree means the home side will look a little bit different to the one that sat in fifth place of the NPL NSW when the season was curtailed back in June, shortly after steamrolling their way to the FFA Round of 32.
Olympic were rampant on their way to the Final Rounds, scoring 27 goals and conceding once in four games -including a 13-0 win over Western Rage.
After recommencing pre-season training just a few weeks ago, Juric's men are no doubt set for their greatest challenge yet, against a club that have consistently challenged at the summit of Australian football in recent years.
But while Steve Corica's side will no doubt enter this one as favourites, Olympic will no doubt give their all to create another memorable chapter of their long history - in front of a buzzing crowd in Belmore.
Sydney Olympic v Sydney FC
Date: Wednesday, 24 November 2021
Time: 7:30pm AEDT
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Broadcast: Live and free via 10 Play
Tickets: Buy Now
International viewers can stream the game via our official YouTube channel.
