Pig'N'Whistle Canale Cup Quarter Final Preview
The games are coming thick and fast now as we reach the quarter finals of the Pig ’N’ Whistle Canale Cup. We’ve already had one result with Albany Creek progressing to the semi-finals courtesy of a 4-2 success over fellow Flight Centre Premier League side Eastern Suburbs last week. The remaining three ties pitch Flight Centre Premier League sides against Capital League 1 opponents, so let’s take a look at those games coming up this week.
Peninsula Power (FCPL) v Southside Eagles (CL1) 7.15pm - Tue 8 Aug at AJ Kelly Park. Peninsula Power have been in the limelight over the last week with their first foray into national stages of the Westfield FFA Cup last Tuesday when hosting Hyundai A-League side Melbourne City in front of a record crowd in Queensland for the cup. They then backed up that game with a friendly against Brisbane Roar on Saturday in front of another healthy crowd. However, it’s now back to local competition priorities and most likely in front of a more paltry audience on Tuesday night when Southside Eagles head to AJ Kelly Park. Based on their recent form, plus their brush with the big boys, Power should comfortably progress to the semi-finals, but don’t discount Eagles who’ll be out to prove a point with their inclusion in next year's FQPL competition where they’ll be competing against Power. Fatigue may become a factor for the hosts having endured a pretty hectic week and they’ll also have primary focus on the Flight Centre Premier League title which is set to go down to the wire. It’s feasible Coach Aaron Philp will rest a couple of his troops for this one but as Eagles proved, they’re fully capable of competing against higher level opposition with a penchant for lifting for the big games which has brought them to this stage of the cup. Prediction: Power to control things and head into the semis with a 3-1 victory. Holland Park Hawks (FCPL) v Brisbane Knights (CL1) 7.30pm - Tue 8 Aug at Whites Hill Reserve. This tie is set to be a blockbuster. Flight Centre Premier League side Holland Park Hawks will not be relishing the visit of ‘giant killers’ Brisbane Knights who’ve proved to be true slayers of premier league opposition in 2017 with wins over Lions FC and Mitchelton in the Westfield FFA Cup and Souths United in the last round of this competition, and they’ve achieved all three successes away from home. Hawks are also without suspended players Mikhail Hastings and Yusuke Ikeda for this encounter, as well as key marksman Marek Madle who was sent off in last week’s RD5 win over Toowong. Knights battled back to draw 2-2 with Bayside United in the league at the weekend but ought to have claimed victory. They will be primed for this clash and expect it to be a tight encounter. Prediction: Plumping for another Knights giant killing with a 2-1 win in extra time. Taringa Rovers (CL1) v Rochedale Rovers (FCPL) 7.30pm - Wed 9 Aug at Jack Speare Park. The final tie of the quarter finals pits the two ‘Rovers’ against each other with both topping their respective league tables and Taringa Rovers having already claimed the premiership. Taringa were defeated by The Gap at the weekend in a game that held no significance for them, which is perhaps why some key personnel were rested with this tie in mind, whilst Rochedale have had time to rest and will definitely be eyeing off the league and cup double; so this clash has the hallmarks of an epic encounter. Taringa can give this their all, having already secured the Capital League 1 title. Home advantage could well suit them too so it will not be a stroll in the park for the current Flight Centre Premier League leaders who’ll have the premiership in the back of the minds as a priority. Prediction: Perhaps the toughest one to predict but Rochedale will want to avoid extra time. Rochedale to edge it 2-1.
