Cup Showdown Looms For Sharks
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images
Palm Beach SC will seek a second straight Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 appearance this Saturday night when they host Noosa Lions at Mallawa Complex.
The winner of the clash between the defending PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Premiers-Champions and the third-tier Sunshine Coast community club will advance to the national round of the knock-out competition, which includes the possibility of being drawn against Hyundai A-League opposition.
Sharks were the last Queensland club standing in the competition’s inaugural year in 2014 - reaching the Quarter Finals before being eliminated by Hyundai A-League club Central Coast Mariners.
However, the Gold Coast based side has only just squeeked through to Saturday’s qualifying decider following two penalty shoot-out wins in previous rounds against Broadbeach United and SWQ Thunder.
Sharks are currently on a four match unbeaten run in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland and sit fifth in the table.
Lions’ path to the Round 7 clash has been non-traditional after being reinstated to the competition following fellow Sunshine Coast club Kawana’s expulsion for fielding a player without an international transfer certificate in Round 5.
Lions then proceeded to deliver an upset win over Sunshine Coast FC, before accounting for Wide Bay qualifiers United Warriors on the weekend.
They currently sit third in Sunshine Coast Football’s McDonald’s Premier League competition.
The winner of the Sharks-Lions clash will join PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs FNQ Heat and Brisbane Strikers and Trophy Superstore Premier League club Lions FC in the Round of 32.
As a Hyundai A-League club, Brisbane Roar receive automatic entry into the competition’s national stage.
Westfield FFA Cup Southern Zone Qualifying Round 7
Palm Beach SC v Noosa Lions FC
Saturday, June 27
Mallawa Complex, Gold Coast
Kick-off - 7:30PM
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