Salin Ready For Blockbuster
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images
Brisbane Strikers defender David Salin says Wednesday night’s Westfield FFA Cup tie against Moreton Bay United is the most important game of the season so far.
Second-placed Strikers host PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland league-leaders Jets in the Brisbane Zone Qualifying Round 6 tie at Perry Park on Wednesday night.
The two in-form sides have met once previously this season at the same venue, playing out a titanic 1-1 arm wrestle in April.
The 28-year-old centre half, who originally hails from the French city of Cannes, said he is eager to replicate, and perhaps exceed, Strikers’ run to the national Round of 16 last year.
“This is the most important game of the season for the moment definitely. I played last year in the FFA Cup and it was a good challenge,” he explained.
“When we played last year at every game there were a lot of people around the stadium and the atmosphere was just amazing.”
“So are trying to win like last year. This game is what we waited for and we know what we want (from it).”
Doubts remain about the make-up of Strikers’ team for the clash with club sources yet to confirm if recent Hyundai A-League Grand Final winner Michael Turnbull will return to the side following his brief stint with Melbourne Victory.
However, Salin said he and his team-mates have full confidence in understudy Michael Weier who has impressed whilst covering for Turnbull in recent matches.
“It is a little bit different because he is young and he is a little bit stressed at the beginning of the game, but after that when the game starts everyone forgets he is young and we play like normally.”
“Michael Turnbull or Michael Weier for us it is exactly the same - we believe in him.”
Salin added that the egalitarian nature of the Westfield FFA Cup, that sees the majority of the final 32 clubs steam from semi-professional competitions, was markedly different from its French equivalent - the Coupe de France.
“It isn’t the same. It’s really hard in France and we have a lot of teams (trying to qualify) and it is very hard to be one of the final teams,” he said.
“But it’s not disappointing or nothing like that. I know how it is now and I am happy and enjoying (it here),” he concluded.
Fixture details:
Westfield FFA Cup Brisbane Zone Qualifying Round 6
Brisbane Strikers FC v Moreton Bay United FC
Perry Park
Wednesday, May 20
Kick-off - 7:00PM
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