Bayswater City President Oriano Colli believes his players are primed to pull off the latest Hahn Australia Cup heist.
The reigning New Balance NPL WA champions meet Sydney FC in the Round of 32 at Frank Drago Reserve on Tuesday night.
There is no denying the size of the challenge as they look to take down the record five-time A-League grand final winners.
But with Sydney early in their pre-season preparations, and the hosts coming off a free weekend, the scene could be set for Bayswater to join Olympic Kingsway, APIA Leichhardt, Moreton City Excelsior and 2025 finalists Heidelberg United on the recent giant-killing roll of honour.
“This is our third time in the competition. We were in the inaugural one, 2014, when we played Melbourne Victory, and to host a big club like Sydney FC at Frank Drago … the excitement and buzz around the club is amazing,” Colli said.
“Kingsway did well against Melbourne Victory and other teams have done very well against A-League opposition; Heidelberg in particular have probably been the most impressive last year. What we can take out of it is on the night anything can happen, and so we’ll be putting our best foot forward.”
Bayswater go into the game on the back of a 10-day break after last Friday’s Round 18 New Balance NPL WA Men’s clash with Sorrento FC was postponed. While they have not played at this stage of the competition for seven years, they did compete in the national Australian Championships last year as NPL WA title winners.
Colli said: “The Aus Championships last year was a different kind of thing, we were the first ones to do it, and the home and away type season was fantastic. What we proved was we are very difficult to play against on our home ground, and I’m hoping the same outcome on Tuesday night, that we’ll put up a good performance and the boys will be at it.
“The mood around the players is super excited. We’re all excited for the occasion; we can’t wait for Tuesday night. We’re hoping for a big crowd; we’ve got DJs here, bouncy castles, half-time games, food, pig on a spit, the whole lot.
“Everyone has been working hard behind the scenes preparing for this game; the council has been amazing, and we just can’t wait for Tuesday night.
“Prediction … Bayswater 2-1!”
– Fremantle City, Football West’s other Round of 32 representatives, are in action on Wednesday night away to Northern NSW side Maitland FC.
Meanwhile, WA’s A-League side Perth Glory are at Queensland Lions FC on Tuesday.
DETAILS
Baywater City v Sydney FC
Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32
Tuesday 21 July
Frank Drago Reserve
Kick-off: 6.30pm WST
Live on Football Australia YouTube and 10 Streaming
TICKETS: bit.ly/4vX4uKC
