Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Pine Creek Pictures

The final two places for Queensland clubs in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 will be determined this weekend – with FNQ Heat and Sunshine Coast FC both in the hunt.

Surfers Paradise Apollo SC v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, June 11 | 5:00PM
Lex Bell Oval, Gold Coast

The Fire are one win away from securing their first ever appearance on the national stage when they travel to the glitter strip to face third-tier BLK Premier League outfit Apollo.

Fire have proved enigmatic this season in the league - two wins and three losses in their past five outings - however are enjoying their best ever campaign in the national knock-out tournament following two years of fruitless returns.

Working against Fire in their biggest fixture of the season to date is the absence of a number of key mid-season recruits that are cup-tied for the fixture – including the impactful Paul Brownlie, Alexander Warrilow, Jordan Loy and Blake Huston.

There are no such concerns for Apollo, who welcome back centre back Jean-Philippe Lasm, winger Brandon Gomez and central midfielder Davide Landoni from suspension.

Apollo current sit second in their league and have eliminated two second tier opponents – SWQ Thunder and Gold Coast City.

They will be eager to add a third high profile scalp to that list to culminate their Cinderella story.

FNQ FC Heat v Frenchville SC
Saturday, June 11 | 6:30PM
Barlow Park, Cairns

A rematch of last year’s Preliminary Round 7 clash sees Heat and Frenchville once again duke it out for the right to represent the Northern Regional Qualifying Zone on the national stage.

Heat proved far too strong for their third-tier Central Queensland Premier League opponents in 2015 and dismantled the Rockhampton-based club on their home patch 7-1.

Denying Heat a third consecutive Round of 32 appearance will again be a tough task for Frenchville, with Heat enjoying their best ever season in PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues – leading the competition, which included a club record seven match unbeaten run to start the year.

However, Frenchville boast league form of their own.

Undefeated so far this season, they average more than six goals a game against local opponents – with Michael Cay leading their returns with a stunning 18 goals in seven appearances this year.

They have also proved prolific in four Preliminary Round ties leading up to the clash against Heat, however their return of just a single clean sheet on that path is a cause for concern against a Heat side held scoreless just twice in 2016 and boasting current PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Golden Boot leader Jamie Carroll.