With six games remaining in the FFA Cup round of 32, there is yet to be a ‘cupset’ but fans have been treated to some heart-stopping games and a couple of wonder goals.
Perhaps the pick of the litter of the games so far saw Lions FC win their Queensland derby against Olympic FC 3-2, thanks to an 87th minute winner.
The Lions let a two goal lead slip in the second half of the game but managed to snatch the tie at the death thanks to substitute Carter Glockner, despite calls for offside.
While we are yet to see an A League side fall to lower ranked opposition, Rockdale City Suns did give Sydney FC a scare after they went 1-0 in the first half of their tie thanks to an audacious chip from Harris Gaitatzis.
However, it wasn’t to be for the Suns as Sydney FC dominated the rest of the game and ran out 4-2 winners.
In the first all A League clash, last season’s runners-up Adelaide United romped home 3-0 against Central Coast Mariners.
Of the 10 teams making their bow at this stage of the FFA Cup, both Adelaide Comets and Avondale FC made it through to the last 16. The Comets dismantled fellow newcomers Gwelup Croatia 4-0 while Avondale pulled off the shock of the round so far with a 4-1 drubbing of Marconi Stallions.
Avondale were plying their trade in suburban leagues before five promotions in six years has taken them to the top division in Victoria. A win against one of Australia’s most successful clubs in Marconi only cements their rise.
Newcomers Port Melbourne Sharks lost their fixture to APIA Leichardt 1-0 while fellow first-timers Canberra FC lost 4-1 to Broadmeadow Magic and Charlestown City Blues crashed out 2-1 against Heidelberg United.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles bagged the goal of the round as a wonder strike from the edge of the box by Asmir Kadic saw them grab a 2-1 win against Hakoah Sydney City East.
Cairns FC, formerly known as Far North Queensland Heat, were able to end their cursed run at the round of 32 level as they progressed to the round of 16 at the 5th time of asking.
The renamed side took apart Perth-based Armadale 4-0 to progress.
The remaining fixtures will be played on 7 August:
Northcote City FC v Devonport Strikers
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City
Gold Coast Knights FC v Newcastle Jets
Bentleigh Greens SC v Wellington Phoenix