Westfield FFA Cup Semi-Final spots up for grabs

Three clubs will attempt to enter unchartered territory when the Westfield FFA Cup 2016 Quarter Finals begin on Wednesday 21 September 2016 with two enticing match ups.

Of the four clubs competing in tomorrow night’s opening Quarter Finals, Blacktown City, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC have never reached the Semi Finals of the Westfield FFA Cup, with only Melbourne City FC to have previously made it to the last four.

Blacktown City, the current PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Champions, get their chance to beat their big brother when they take on Sydney FC at the Sydney United Sports Centre.

The match, which will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS (Channel 505), pits a Blacktown team containing a number of former Sydney FC players against a Sky Blues squad all trying to stake their claims for a spot in the starting line-up for the opening round of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Season.

Blacktown City trio Joey Gibbs, Mitchell Mallia and Zach Cairncross all had stints at Sydney FC, and together with the likes of the 2016 Westfield FFA Cup’s top goal scorer Patrick Antelmi and talented midfielder Danny Choi, the club from Sydney’s west will be confident they can become the third Member Federation club to take down a Hyundai A-League opponent this year.

If Blacktown City find the back of the net against Sydney FC, they will also earn $2,500 for each goal they score courtesy of the NAB Golden Goals initiative.

Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold has indicated that his star signing Bobo would start up front as the Sky Blues prepare to play on the synthetic surface at Edensor Park for the second time having defeated Sydney United 58 FC at the venue in 2014 in the Round of 16.

The night’s other Quarter Final showdown features two Hyundai A-League clubs with lofty ambitions looking to make a statement as Melbourne City FC host Western Sydney Wanderers FC at AAMI Park.

The match is set to be the home debut for Melbourne City FC marquee signing and Caltex Socceroo Tim Cahill, while fellow new signing, Danish defender Michael Jakobsen, is also in contention to make his first appearance.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC will be bolstered by the addition of striker Kerem Bulut, giving Tony Popovic’s side further strike power after they scored a total of eight goals in their opening two matches.

FOX SPORTS (Channel 505) will have a full broadcast of the match between Blacktown City and Sydney FC as well as LIVE updates and crosses to the Cup tie from AAMI Park. Melbourne City FC’s clash with Western Sydney Wanderers FC will also be streamed online at www.foxsports.com.au/football/ffa-cup/ffacupondemand on the FOX SPORTS mobile app for iPhone & Android, and on Apple TV & Telstra TV via the FOX SPORTS NOW app.

For a more detailed preview as well as further information about the Westfield FFA Cup, visit www.theffacup.com.au

Westfield FFA Cup 2016 Quarter Finals – Match Day 1 Fixtures

Blacktown City v Sydney FC

Wednesday 21 September 2016

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Kick-off: 7:30pm local (7:30pm AEST)

Referee: Peter Green

Assistant Referee 1: Scott Edeling

Assistant Referee 2: Lance Greenshields

Fourth Official: Stephen Lucas

Tickets: Click here for ticketing details

TV Broadcast: 7.00pm (AEST) Live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 4 (Channel 505)

Radio Broadcast: Alive 90.5 (90.5FM) and online

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tags #BLCvSYD #FFACup

Blacktown City squad: 1.Nenad Vekic (gk), 3.Giorgio Speranza, 4.Roberto Speranza, 6.Matthew Lewis, 7.Travis Major, 8.Sasa Macura, 9.Joseph Gibbs, 10.Connor Evans, 11.Danny Seung-Joo Choi, 12.Jonothan Grozdanovski, 14.Mitchell Mallia, 15.Shayne D’Cunha, 16.Patrick Antelmi, 17.Lewis Beumie, 19.Zachary Cairncross, 21.Riku Sasaki, 40.Tristan Prendergast (gk)

Sydney FC squad: 1.Vedran Janjetovic (gk), 2.Sebastian Ryall, 4.Alex Wilkinson, 5.Matthew Jurman, 6.Josh Brillante, 7.Michael Zullo, 8.Milos Dimitrijevic, 9.Bobo, 10.Milos Ninkovic, 12.Aaron Calver, 13.Brandon O’Neill, 14.Alex Brosque, 17.David Carney, 18.Matt Simon, 20.Danny Vukovic (gk), 21.Filip Holosko, 23.Rhyan Grant, 24.Charles Lokoli Ngoy, 29.Bai Antoniou