Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

FNQ Heat coach Martin Docherty concedes the weather may be a factor against Oakleigh Cannons in their Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 tie.

The Cairns-based Heat will play an away match against southern opposition for the second straight year after being pitted against the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria club in yesterday’s Round of 32 draw.

In 2014, Heat struggled to come to terms with Sydney United 58 on a wet and cold night in Sydney and were ultimately eliminated 4-1 by the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2013 Champions.

Docherty said playing in unfamiliar conditions is just another part of the much touted ‘magic of the cup’.

“It’s going to be a real tough test for us. It will be a Tuesday night in Melbourne and it will be about two degrees, so I’m sure my boys from North Queensland will enjoy that,” he said.

He good naturedly conceded that there is little Heat can do to prepare for the notoriously fickle Melbourne weather ahead of the match.

“If FFA could give us a budget of a couple of hundred thousand we could go down there and acclimatise, it would be brilliant,” he joked.

“But the thing that blew us away last year was most of my players had never been on a synthetic surface and never played in those temperatures.”

Asked what he knew about Cannons, Docherty displayed an immediate knowledge of a mid-season revival that has seen the club turn around a five match losing streak at the start of the year to recently defeat powerhouse clubs South Melbourne and Melbourne Knights.

He added that he was also aware that Cannons had added former Queensland based Hyundai A-League players Steve Pantaledis and Kofi Danning to their squad.

However, Docherty said he determined to leave no stone unturned in his search for further intelligence on their opposition - including tapping the knowledge base of Heat star and former Cannons player Alex Smith.

“Alex will be able to give us a fair bit of background on them but I have two or three people down there that I know so I will be able to get some more recent information,” Docherty explained.

“Alex will be able to help us with the surroundings and the geography and the type of atmosphere we will play in but as for the playing structure I will get a detailed report on how they play.”

“We will utilise as much information as we can,” he concluded.

The venue, date and kick-off time for Heat’s match against Cannons will be confirmed this Friday.

Who are Oakleigh Cannons FC?

Founded: 1972

Current Division: PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Victoria

Honours:

• Victorian Premier League Premiers (2006)

Notable past players:

• Ivan Franjic (Socceroo)
• Craig Goodwin (Socceroo)
• Michael Boxell (New Zealand national team)
• Alex Smith (current FNQ Heat)

Trivia:

• Former Queensland Roar coach Miron Blieberg was first team coach but parted ways with the club midway through the current season
• The club’s facilities have benefitted from a recent $3 million upgrade