It’s crunch time for eight Queensland teams in the FFA Cup as the road to the Round of 32 reaches its climax this weekend.
The final preliminary round in the state will run from Friday, 18 June to Sunday, 20 June, with the four Round 7 winners booking a one-way ticket to the national stage of the knockout tournament.
Every match will be available to view live on the FQ Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Brisbane City vs Lions FC
Round 7 kicks off with a Brisbane Classico showdown between FQPL 1 side Brisbane City FC and NPL Queensland’s Lions FC. One of the oldest rivalries in Queensland football, supporters of each team will hold fond memories of some of the fiercest matches in the state between the two sides.
Brisbane City will see this as a daring opportunity to take out their highly fancied opponents, but Lions will no doubt be on the hunt for an appearance on the national stage.
Brisbane City sealed their place in Round 7 with a tight 3-2 extra time win over league opponents SWQ Thunder, while Lions recorded a dominant 5-0 victory over fellow NPL Queensland side Logan Lightning last round.
Brisbane City vs Lion FC
Friday 18 June, 7:30pm
CTM Stadium
Peninsula Power vs Olympic FC
A thrilling clash between two sides at the top of the NPL table is set for Saturday as Olympic FC take on ladder leaders Peninsula Power for a spot in the Round of 32. You won’t want to miss this heavyweight battle as two of the most in-form sides face off, with FFA Cup glory the ultimate motivation.
Paving the way for Olympic is winger Daniel Leck who has already netted four goals so far in the competition including one against Southside Eagles in last round’s win over Southside Eagles, and will certainly look to bag more this weekend.
However, it’s going to be a tough assignment as Peninsula Power boast one of the best defensive records so far in the preliminary rounds, conceding zero goals in three matches and fresh off a 3-0 win over Ipswich Knights in Round 6.
Peninsula Power vs Olympic FC
Saturday 19 June, 6:00pm
AJ Kelly Park
Magpies Crusaders vs Edge Hill United
Meanwhile up North, a titanic regional battle will be held in Mackay as NPL Queensland team Magpies Crusaders welcome FNQ Premier League side Edge Hill United.
The only community side from Queensland remaining in the knockout tournament, Edge Hill United have the opportunity to become the first community club north of Brisbane to qualify for the Round of 32 if they can pinch a win from the hosts.
They come into the clash following an impressive 4-2 win over Brothers Townsville last round, while Magpies Crusaders secured their spot in Round 7 with a 1-0 win over CQ Premier League’s Frenchville FC.
Magpies Crusaders United vs Edge Hill United
Saturday 19 June, 7:00pm
Sologinkin Oval
Gold Coast Knights vs Sunshine Wanderers
A coast derby between Gold Coast Knights and Sunshine Coast Wanderers will wrap up the final preliminary round this Sunday. Both sides will be extremely familiar with their opposition, having played each other just last week in a six-goal NPL Queensland match in which Knights celebrated a 4-2 win.
It will be the second straight FFA Cup clash against a Gold Coast side for Wanderers, having booked their spot in Round 7 with a victory over Surfers Paradise Apollo.
Knights meanwhile put five goals past Holland Park Hawks to comfortably progress to this round, and will look to make it two in a row against Wanderers to secure their place in the Round of 32.
Gold Coast Knights vs Sunshine Wanderers
Sunday 20 June, 5:00pm
Croatian Sports Centre
Image: Patrick Leigh Perspectives
