The fixture details for the 16 matches to be played in the Round of 32 of the 2018 FFA Cup have been confirmed with three blockbuster nights of games to look forward to in Australia’s premier knockout competition.
The second match night on Wednesday 1 August will see the first of three all-Hyundai A-League encounters take place, while Steve Corica will begin his new era at Sydney FC against Rockdale City Suns with the match to be broadcast Live and Exclusive on FOX SPORTS.
READ: Road to the 2018 FFA Cup Round of 32: NSW clubs
READ: The 4 big Round of 32 match-ups
We break down the key fixtures on the second night of Australia’s premier knockout competition.
MATCH OF THE NIGHT – Rockdale City Suns v Sydney FC – TBC, 7.30pm
It will be a local derby of sorts when NPL NSW outfit Rockdale City Suns take on reigning Hyundai A-League Premiers Sydney FC.
The contest will see Rockdale player-coach Paul Reid – a former Sky Blues player who now works in the club’s community department – up against new Sydney FC coach Steve Corica.
The clash with Rockdale will be Corica’s first competitive match in charge of the Sky Blues, and he’s sure to be met by a stern challenge from the City Suns.
Rockdale have ousted fellow NPL NSW outfits Sydney United 58 and Blacktown City on their way to the Round of 32, and while they have flashed hot and cold during the NSW NPL this season, Reid’s side have enough firepower to pull off an upset.
The likes of Alec Urosevski and Bai Antoniou both share former playing history at Sydney, while 43-year-old former Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic would love nothing more than pulling off a shock upset against the Sky Blues.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON – Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners - Marden Sports Complex, 7.30pm
The first of three Hyundai A-League match ups in the FFA Cup Round of 32 will see Mike Mulvey’s Central Coast Mariners travel to last year’s Grand Finalists Adelaide United.
The Mariners have been dumped out of the competition by state-league opposition in the last two editions of the FFA Cup, following defeats to Blacktown City in 2017 and Green Gully in 2016.
After such heartbreak in recent years, new boss Mulvey will be intent on starting a new era for the Gosford club in the best fashion possible against their fellow top-tier rivals.
Mariners fans will get their first glimpse of former Derby County defender Kalifa Cissé, who put pen to paper with the club late last week.
Mulvey could also be set to hand Mariners' debuts for Mario Shabow and Corey Gameiro, who will both be eager to impress the new boss.
The other week two fixtures:
- Heidelberg United FC (VIC) v Charlestown City Blues FC (NNSW) – Olympic Village, 7.30pm
- Cairns FC (QLD) v Armadale SC (WA) – Barlow Park, Parramatta Park, 7.30pm
As well as broadcasting one match Live and Exclusive in full on each match night, FOX SPORTS will also LIVE stream and provide updates and crosses to all other matches in the FFA Cup 2018 Round of 32 (see www.foxsports.com.au for all broadcast and streaming details).
READ: The 4 big Round of 32 match-ups
READ: 2018 FFA Cup Round of 32 draw revealed
Ticketing information for each of the FFA Cup 2018 Round of 32 matches will be released in due course by each home club. Please visit www.theffacup.com.au for further details.
