Jablonski buzzing for Westfield FFA Cup
Hakoah Sydney City East FC have come a long way since their last appearance in the national rounds of the Westfield FFA Cup.
Fresh off a Waratah Cup title, the former National Soccer League heavyweights will look to continue their rapid rise up the Australian football ladder when they return to the national stage of the competition to take on Hills United.
Hakoah were among the first crop of state clubs to appear in the national Round of 32 stages during the inaugural FFA Cup campaign in 2014.
That year, Hakoah were knocked out by Football Queensland’s Palm Beach in a thrilling encounter.
Fast forward three years and the Hakoah that will take on fellow New South Wales club Hills Brumbies United looks a completely different outfit.
Since, Hakoah has reclaimed its spot in the NSW elite, winning consecutive promotions into the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues New South Wales Men’s division as well as winning the Waratah Cup just last month meaning, for once, they will be the favourites when they take on the Hills.
For Hakoah mainstay Neil Jablonski the role of favourite is not one he has become accustomed to, and as the architect of many underdog victories themselves, he says Hakoah cannot afford to underestimate their Round of 32 opponents.
“Not many clubs have done what we’ve done over the last few years,” Jablonski said.
“We’ve always been the underdog, but we’ve always found a way to win. We’ve had three promotions in five years and I think we can be proud of what we’ve done, but that’s what makes this cup tie hard for us.
“This is really the first time we’ve been the favourites, so it’s a completely different mentality for us, so we have to be very aware and we have to be very strong because we know how hard it can be for the favourites.”
Jablonski recognises that the tie may not be the one that sparks the greatest media interest, but implored his side to stay focused on the task at hand.
“I think whenever you get to this stage of the competition and you’re watching the draw, you’re hoping to get an A-League club. If you can’t get that, you want to get a game where you have a good chance of winning,” Jablonski said.
“I’m sure even the Hills would have liked a bigger team than us! I know we have a great history, but we’re not the biggest name in the game today either.
“But we’re still in the division above them and they’re going to want to show that they can play at our level, so it’s going to be a real banana skin game for us.”
If there is one big difference between this iteration of Hakoah and the one from 2014, it is its ability to impose itself on the opposition.
“I think last time we were in this stage of the cup, we were a real mix of young boys and a couple of experienced guys,” Jablonski surmised.
“Now that we’ve gone up through the ranks, we’re a much more balanced side with a lot more experience. We’re playing a better brand, we’re fitter and I think now we are a team that can take the game to the opposition instead of just waiting for our chances on the break and scrapping wins.
“There might not be the biggest hype around the tie itself, so it will be up to us to make sure we bring the aggression and right mentality to the game to make sure we progress to the Round of 16 for the first time.”
Match Details
Hills United v Hakoah Sydney City East
Wednesday 26th July – 8pm
Lily’s Football Centre, Seven Hills
*Official hashtag #HILvHAK
-By Matt Galea
