Haydar ready for FFA Cup challenge
Sydney United 58 enter the Westfield FFA Cup for the second consecutive year and after hosting Hyundai A-League outfit Sydney FC last season, they’ll be eager to show the rest of the country that they mean business.
United 58’s captain Ibrahim Haydar is excited by the prospect of competing in the Cup in back to back seasons after the amazing promotion it accumulated in its inaugural year.
“It’s a big tournament and it will only get bigger with years to come, so it’s an honour for our club to be playing on the national stage again.”
Last season, at this stage of the competition, United 58 welcomed Far North Queensland Fury and comfortably took care of them to book a date with the 2015 Hyundai A-League finalists.
“Just like last year we really want to perform and win so that we can get that A-League team in the next round.”
Sydney United Sports Centre is a famous stadium in Australian football folklore and their passionate fans are well known across the country.
The match against Sydney FC brought United 58 fans back to their spiritual home as they displayed what the club meant to them.
“They’re the sort of games you remember toward the end of your career, playing in front of 8,500 at a stadium like Sydney United 58’s you can hear the fans throughout the game.
“It’s something we can repeat as the boys would like to feel that sort of atmosphere again.
“Sydney United 58 means the world to the fans and they’re at every home and away game.
“Two years ago in the NPL Final they even travelled to South Hobart to be there for us and they’ve been a part of this club since they were kids so it’s something we can give back to them.”
The Edensor Park based team will this time host their rivals from South Hobart FC, a team they defeated in the NPL Final in 2013.
South Hobart has been a dominant force in Tasmanian football, taking out the Premiership in the last several seasons and wining six Grand Finals in that time.
This season, they’re right in the mix for another Premiership and coach, former Manchester United youth graduate, Ken Morton wants revenge for his team from the 2013 loss.
Ibrahim Haydar will need to be on his toes as one of Tasmania’s most lethal marksman in Brayden Mann will be leading the Hobart attack.
United 58’s centre back is confident his side can progress despite the quality the opposition may have.
“We’re going to take each game as it comes and there is some really tough competition out there.
“We’re very confident to go as far as possible.”
Match Information
Sydney United 58 FC v South Hobart FC (NPL Tasmania)
Tuesday August 4, 7.30 pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
-By Nikola Pozder
