FFA Cup Brisbane Zone RD5 Preview
It's Round 5 of the FFA Cup in our zone this week with the last 16 set to battle it out to be two steps away from reaching the national Round of 32. Just three Football Brisbane sides remain including one from the lowest tier of competition, in Viva Capital League 3's The Lakes who become the first team from the lowest division to reach the preliminary last 16 round of the FFA Cup in the Brisbane Zone. Centenary from the Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League and Viva Capital League 1's Ipswich City the other two sides to feature in RD5. So let's take a look at the ties coming up and see if we can work out who'll be likely to reach the last 8.... Tue 1 May, 7.30pm KO: Brisbane City (NPL) v Western Pride (NPL) @ Corporate Management Stadium. The only all National Premier Leagues tie of the round gets the round underway with Brisbane City hosting league leaders Western Pride. As is often the case with cup ties, these two will meet again in the next round of the NPL when league action returns after this weekend's catch-up weekend. City have only earned one point from the sides above them in the league, with Pride the last of those they are yet to face. The Briggs Road side have only lost once thus far and that came against title rivals Olympic FC, whilst they've won all of their other league games. City would need to put their best foot forward in this clash if they are to reach RD6 for just the second time since the FFA Cup came into being; whilst for Pride, it will be their best opportunity to reach the final eight in the zone for the first time. Prediction: Pride will enter this one full of confidence but will also fully respect their opponents knowing that cup football can produce anything on its day. Pride though, to reach RD6 for the first time ever with a 3-1 success.
Wed 2 May, 7.30pm KO: Lions FC (NPL) v Eastern Suburbs (FQPL) @ Lions Stadium. One of only two NPL v FQPL ties in the round. Traditionally Easts have been a thorn in Lions side with the Tigers having a good record against them. This season though sees both sides competing in different competitions and Lions are a tough prospect with a good FFA Cup pedigree having reached the Round of 16 in 2015 and having twice been thwarted by Brisbane Strikers in the final preliminary round to reach the Round of 32. They will also be putting last season's fleeting appearance well and truly behind them when dumped out in the opening stage by Brisbane Knights. Lions have lost just twice this season with both defeats by a single goal to the top two of Western Pride and Olympic FC. This will be a stiff test for Easts, especially at Lions Stadium, as the visitors look to reach the last eight in the zone for the first time. Prediction: Lions to prove too strong and head into RD6 with a 4-1 victory.
Fri 4 May, 7.30pm KO: Moreton Bay Utd (NPL) v Souths Utd (FQPL) @ Wolter Park. The other NPL v FQPL tie sees Moreton Bay Utd welcome Souths Utd to Wolter Park. Souths season started brightly in the new FQPL competition but has since suffered from inconsistent form which sees them situated mid-table. Moreton Bay Utd enjoyed their first ever appearance in the national rounds of the FFA Cup last year where they made it to the Round of 16 where they lost to fellow NPL side Gold Coast City in a narrow 1-0 defeat. The Jets league form this season would suggest that Souths will be in for a tough day at the office, with Jets in 5th spot on the NPL ladder and having only lost three times, all of which coming against the sides above them in the league. Prediction: Jets to comfortably account for Souths with a 3-0 success.
Fri 4 May, 8.30pm KO: Logan Lightning (FQPL) v Mitchelton (FQPL) @ Cornubia Park. An all FQPL tie which again, sees these two sides meet in a knockout competition just prior to meeting again in the league next round. Logan will enter this game as favourites and under Player/Coach and leading goal scorer Royce Brownlie's guidance, are undefeated in their last six games which included a very creditable draw at runaway leaders Peninsula Power. Mitchelton meanwhile are undefeated in their last four outings but two of those were against teams in the bottom three. Prediction: It should be an entertaining cup tie but one that looks a touch beyond the visitors. Logan to progress to RD6 with a 4-1 success.
Sat 5 May, 6.00pm KO: The Lakes (VCL3) v Brisbane Strikers (NPL) @ Kinsella Park. Undoubtedly the David and Goliath tie of the round with a side from the lowest division reaching this stage of the preliminary rounds for the first time, up against a seasoned FFA Cup outfit who've reached the national stage of the competition on all but one occasion. The speculation will surround the side David Large puts out, perhaps giving a number of his younger charges an opportunity to prove themselves whilst keeping some of the more experienced heads on the bench. The Lakes may reside in Viva Capital League 3 but they possess personnel with Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League experience and are yet to be defeated in the league, having conceded just three times in five outings. They are not to be taken lightly. Ultimately, a full strength Strikers side should easily account for the 7th tier club but should Lakes get a start, they could make life uncomfortable for the former NPL champions. Prediction: Home ground advantage will give The Lakes some hope and also present a challenge to the visitors. What a fairytale it would be if they could cause an upset but it's unlikely though with Strikers to sprint away with a 5-1 triumph.
Sat 5 May, 6.30pm KO: Olympic FC (NPL) v Centenary Stormers (FCBPL) @ Goodwin Park. ***LIVE STREAM*** The only remaining Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League side in the competition, Centenary Stormers, face a mountain to overcome in NPL title chasers Olympic FC in what will be a live streamed game via the Football Brisbane Facebook page. Olympic reached the national stages of the FFA Cup in its inaugural year but have failed to make the Round of 32 since, being edged out last year by Moreton Bay Utd in RD7.
This season sees the Goodwin Park side looking stronger than ever and they have suffered just one defeat in the league this season. 2018 could well be the year they make a return to the national stage of the competition and they should see off the challenge from Centenary. Olympic wont take their opponents lightly though with the likes of Shoheel Khan capable of causing problems should he start. Prediction: Olympic will be looking to reach the Round of 32 this season and shuldn't be too troubled by Stormers. 4-0 Olympic.
Sat 5 May, 6.00pm KO: Rochedale Rovers (FQPL) v Wolves FC (FQPL) @ Underwood Park. Last season's Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League champions were looking on track for their first appearance in the Round of 32 before a shock defeat to Grange Thistle curtailed their plans last year. A shaky start to the season in the FQPL has now been ironed out with Scott MacNicol's side sitting in 2nd spot on the ladder. Wolves had an even more shaky start to life in the FQPL losing their first five games, but they've turned things around and have now won their last five games when they were looking like relegation candidates early on. Both sides have met already this season with Rovers edging that contest with a 2-1 win. This tie may well be closer still and out of all eight games this round, this one looks the most possible to require extra time. Prediction: The toughest one to predict with both sides in good form. Home advantage will help Rovers but there's a feeling Wolves may just nick this one. 3-2 Wolves after extra time.
Tue 8 May, 7.00pm KO: Ipswich City (VCL1) v Peninsula Power (FQPL) @ Sutton Park. The last of the three Football Brisbane sides face an monumental task against runaway undefeated FQPL league leaders Peninsula Power. The one benefit City have is the long road trip on a Tuesday evening for Power to contend with and should the visitors need a little time to get into the game, the Bulls could pounce. The hosts did however suffer a heavy defeat last weekend in the league to Caboolture and the prospect of facing last year's Round of 32 finalists is a daunting one. Power are yet to be defeated and only the most fool hardy of pundits would predict them to suffer their first defeat in 2018 in this encounter. It's perhaps more fitting to predict by how many they'll put past the Sutton Park side. Prediction: Power to make the long return trip back to Kippa-Ring with a 7-0 victory.
