Words: Matt Dorman, Football Queensland

Anticipation for the Westfield FFA Cup will reach a crescendo at Goodwin Park tonight when Olympic FC host Melbourne Knights in the Round of 32.

After being drawn together in June, the two teams finally come face to face when former NSL winners Knights line-up at the home of the reigning NPL Queensland champions.

Olympic FC Head Coach Jim Bellas believes the match has come at the right time for his side, which is on a run of four straight wins.

"We're starting to play really well," Bellas said, "The team has a good spirit at the moment and we've got the right balance in the side."

Olympic are currently second in the league standings and will enter the match as favourites in the eyes of some despite the stature of Knights - currently eighth in the NPL Victoria.

Bellas was pleased to get a greater understanding of his opponents in an analysis session on Monday.

"We saw what we wanted to see," he said. "Obviously we have all been watching clips of them for the last couple of weeks.

"They've got two or three dangerous players but the guys down there are all pretty good players. They don't play in the NPL Victoria for no reason."

Olympic captain Danny Byrne, who has been at the club since 2007, has as much reason as any to be excited when he leads his team on to the pitch.

The scorer of a hat-trick against Moreton Bay in the NPL Queensland on Friday night says the entire club is delighted to be on the national stage.

"Everyone here at Olympic FC is very proud and honoured to be involved," Byrne said.

"As a club we have grown tremendously in performance and stature since I arrived, most notably with winning the double in 2013."

Byrne, who also coaches juniors at the club, expects the Westfield FFA Cup to not only provide another exciting challenge for his teammates but also a carrot for future stars.

"We feel we're one of the leading clubs in Queensland and we want to be involved in all competitions," the skipper said.

"Competing in these high profile competitions also gives our large junior base something to aspire to."

Olympic will need to get past Andrew Marth's Knights to keep their Cup dream alive into the Round of 16, but practicing penalties has not been a key concern for coach Bellas.

Bellas, himself a former Olympic player, says the true test of the knockout match will be to overcome nerves, which are to be expected.

"It's the person on the night with the guts to go and take it," Bellas said. "You can practice all you want but if those nerves hit you, you won't want to take one.

"I would think they will have some nerves but once they get in to the game those will be gone."

Kick off at Goodwin Park in Yeronga is at 7.30pm, with gates to open at 6.30pm.

Tickets to the match will be available for purchase on arrival.

Highlights and live crosses to Goodwin Park will be made during Fox Sports' LIVE broadcast of Broadmeadow Magic v Brisbane Strikers at 7.30pm on Fox Sports 3.