Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Three PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland clubs will discover their Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 destiny this Wednesday via a live draw on Fox Sports News.

Brisbane Strikers, FNQ Heat and Palm Beach SC will fly the flag for PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland for the second straight season, joining fellow qualifiers Lions FC (Trophy Superstore Premier League) and seeded Hyundai A-League club Brisbane Roar in the Round of 32 draw.

The draw offers a myriad of possibilities for the three clubs including potential match-ups against interstate PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues clubs and Hyundai A-League powerhouses.

Also in the mix for the first time is the Northern Territory, who will be represented by Darwin Olympic from the NorZone Premier League.

Heat star Jamie Gosling expressed the sentiment shared by many Queensland football supporters by hoping for a high profile home game against Hyundai A-League opposition.

“The best draw for us would be an A-League club at home and to test ourselves - that’s the ideal scenario,” Gosling said.

“To have a big occasion and to have that buzz around Cairns and get a big crowd, it would be great for the younger boys to experience that.”

Brisbane Strikers captain Michael Angus also said he was hoping for a home game after his side was twice drawn away in last year’s competition - travelling to Newcastle and Adelaide.

However, he said he wasn’t particularly concerned whether it was a Hyundai A-League opponent or one of several clubs that have long histories against Strikers from the former National Soccer League.

“It will be a massive game and whether it’s an A-League team or someone like Sydney United or South Melbourne it’s going to be a good game and it will be a decent crowd,” he said.

He added that it was a testament to Strikers’ off-season work that their Perry Park home ground is likely to meet the requirements to host a Hyundai A-League side in the competition, subject to requirements of broadcast partner Fox Sports.

“Full credit to the club to be able to get to a situation where we are able to host. From a players perspective it’s the ideal scenario.”

In 2014, Queensland clubs Palm Beach SC and Olympic FC were forced to move home designated matches from their suburban home grounds to Cbus Super Stadium and QSAC, respectively, to comply with competition venue requirements.

Sharks coach Grae Piddick said while a home draw appealed from a tactical and psychological standpoint that some of the magic of the cup was lost by being unable to host it at Mallawa Complex.

“To draw a home game would be handy but obviously we would have to look at another venue. It takes a bit of the ‘love factor’ out of it by having local sides that qualify and as soon as they do qualify they can’t play at home - it’s a bit disappointing,” he said.

Bucking the trend of his fellow clubs, he added he hopes to avoid a Hyundai A-League opponent after only one PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues club delivered an upset in 2014 - Adelaide City eliminating Western Sydney Wanderers.

“It’s always nice to try and win a game in this competition so if we get a draw where it’s a game that gives us a chance to win then I will be happy,” he concluded.

Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 Draw
Broadcast live on Fox Sports News (Channel 500)
Streamed online at www.foxsports.com.au & www.theffacup.com.au
Wednesday, July 1
Coverage commences at 4:00PM