Robbie Fowler is going to be given a stern test in his first competitive game in charge of Brisbane Roar after his club was drawn against Hyundai A-League champions Sydney FC in the FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 draw on Wednesday night.
In one of the feature ties of the Round of 32, Fowler – who will officially start pre-season training in Brisbane next week – will bring his new-look Roar squad to Sydney to face the Sky Blues.
It’s an almighty challenge for the rookie boss, up against a Sydney FC side that has featured in each of the last three FFA Cup finals.
CONFIRMED!
Here are all 16 ties for the #FFACup Round of 32. #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/lt1dm7Gh7R
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) June 26, 2019
Fowler is embarking on a new era in Brisbane and has already made six signings this week as he looks to beef-up his Roar squad.
Steve Corica’s Sydney FC will have the perfect warm-up for the clash with Brisbane after it was confirmed they will meet French champions PSG in a friendly in China on July 30.
In other big FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 clashes for Hyundai A-League clubs, defending champions Adelaide United will start their Cup defence against Victorian NPL giants Melbourne Knights.
EXPLAINER: How does the transfer window work?
SIGNING NEWS: All of the Hyundai A-League Ins & Outs
The Reds – under new boss Gertjan Verbeek – will head to Melbourne in a potentially trick Round of 32 clash against a Knights side that have produced some scintillating football during the FFA Cup 2019 Preliminary Rounds.
And in striker Hamish Watson – formerly of Wellington Phoenix – they have a player with Hyundai A-League experience and in excellent goalscoring form.
The Reds became the first team to win the competition twice after beating Sydney FC 2-1 in last year’s FFA Cup Final.
In an all Hyundai A-League tie, premiers Perth Glory – two-time FFA Cup finalists – host Western Sydney Wanderers.
The clash pits Glory boss Tony Popovic, who guided the Wanderers to the 2014 AFC Champions League title and three Hyundai A-League Grand Finals, up against his former employers.
As well as Adelaide’s clash with the Knights, there were three other Member Federation v Hyundai A-League match-ups which throw up possible giant-killing opportunities.
Tiny Northern NSW NPL side Maitland FC did superbly just to reach the national stage and now get a crack at Alen Stajcic’s Central Coast Mariners.
FOOTBALL’S FUTURE: Working towards a National Second Division for 2021
BEST EVER: 2018/19 saw records tumble across the Hyundai A-League
It’s a clash that is sure to have extra-special meaning for Maitland’s veteran midfielder Matt Thompson, who as a former Newcastle Jets star would love to knock-off their F3 Derby rivals.
Australian NPL Champions and current South Australian NPL league-leaders Campbelltown City host Melbourne City, while Brisbane Strikers go up against Wellington Phoenix.
All the FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 fixtures
- Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
- Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers
- Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
- Tigers FC v Hume City
- South Hobart v Marconi Stallions
- Adelaide Olympic v Floreat Athena
- Magpies Crusaders v Coomera Colts
- Olympic FC v Bayswater City
- St George v Sydney United 58
- Darwin Olympic v Edgeworth Eagles
- FC Bulleen Lions v Moreland Zebras
- Mount Druitt Town Rangers v Manly United
- Maitland FC v Central Coast Mariners
- Melbourne Knights v Adelaide United
- Campbelltown City v Melbourne City
- Brisbane Strikers v Wellington Phoenix
NOTE: Teams mentioned first will play at home
