Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Palm Beach SC coach Grae Piddick concedes drawing Victorian giants South Melbourne FC in the Westfield FFA Cup poses a daunting, but not impossible, challenge.

Sharks were drawn as hosts against the perennial powerhouse of Victorian football in yesterday’s Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 Draw.

South Melbourne, affectionately known as Hellas due to their traditionally Greek supporter base, are the most successful club in Australian football history and one of only four Australian clubs to ever win a continental club title.

In 2014, they added to their record four Grand Final triumphs in the former National Soccer League by being crowned PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Champions for the first time.

Piddick said that in many respects drawing South Melbourne was almost as big a challenge as lining up against a Hyundai A-League side.

“They’re a huge club obviously with a lot of history and were really successful in the old NSL and successful in the NPL last year and are right up there again (this year),” he said.

“They didn’t qualify (for the FFA Cup) last year so I’m sure they are really keen this year to have a good run.”

Last year Sharks played their two Westfield FFA Cup home ties against South Springvale and Central Coast Mariners at Cbus Super Stadium due to competition hosting requirements.

While a venue for the match is yet to be confirmed, Piddick speculated on where the game should be played.

“It would be nice to play them at Mallawa but it’s not really up to standard is it? So I think the game will be at Cbus,” he said.

“We had a good turnout last year for the games we had there, so we’re expecting another big crowd and hopefully again win the game and go into the next round.”

Sharks reached the Quarter Final last year and asked whether his side could improve on that performance in 2015, and even win the competition, Piddick conceded much would depend on the draw.

“It’s a big ask for any of the semi-pro teams to win (the competition) and it probably requires a bit of luck with the draw,” he explained.

“There is a non-professional team that makes it to the semis with the way the draw is structured, like last year it was Bentleigh, and if you cause an upset in the semi then all of a sudden you are in the final.”

“It’s super tough and it’s pipe-dream stuff but you got to go into the games still trying to win the game.”

Alluding to Adelaide City’s upset 1-0 win over Hyundai A-League powerhouse Western Sydney Wanderers last year, Piddick suggested that claiming the title was not impossible.

He said, “All you need is a bit of luck and you saw it with Adelaide City. If you can keep it tight and take a chance when you get it then there’s always a chance (of an upset).”

“That’s the beauty of this competition - there is always a chance a non-professional team could win it,” he concluded.

The venue, date and kick-off time for Palm Beach’s match against South Melbourne will be confirmed this Friday.

Who are South Melbourne FC?

Founded: 1959

Current division: PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Victoria

Honours:

• Oceania Football Confederation Club of the Century
• Oceania Football Confederation Club Champions (1999)
• National Soccer League Champions (1984, 1990/91, 1997/98, 1998/99)
• National Soccer League Premiers (1992/93, 1997/98, 2000/01)
• National Soccer League Cup (1989/90, 1995/96)
• PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Champions (2014)
• Victorian Premier League Champions (1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1974, 1976, 2006)

Notable past players:

• Ange Postecoglou (current Socceroos coach)
• Oscar Crino (Socceroos)
• Charlie Egan (Socceroos)
• Alan Davidson (Socceroos)
• Paul Wade (Socceroos)
• Mehmet Durakovic (Socceroos)
• Damian Mori (Socceroos)
• Kevin Muscat (Socceroos)
• Simon Colosimo (Socceroos)
• Mitch Langerak (Socceroos)

Trivia:

• Only Australian club to ever play against English powerhouse Manchester United in a competitive match - losing 2-0 at the FIFA Club World Cup 2000 in Brazil
• One of only two clubs that competed in every season of the former National Soccer League
• The club's official Facebook page boasts over 40,000 'likes' - demonstrating their high levels of support in Australia and internationally