Croydon set for tomorrow’s FFA Cup round-of-32 draw
CROYDON is hunting an A-League giant as its name goes into the hat for tomorrow’s FFA Cup round-of-32 draw.
CROYDON is hunting an A-League giant as its name goes into the hat for tomorrow’s FFA Cup round-of-32 draw.
The Kings earned their place in the national knockout competition with a 2-0 win over Adelaide City in Sunday’s FFA Cup qualifying final at The Parks.
Victory secured the club its seventh SA cup and a dream tie with a national league or interstate side.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys,” coach Mark Brazzale said.
“The main thing for me was to win this trophy. What comes after that is excitement. There are no expectations and we have fun.
“Hopefully we can get an A-League team because you want to put your name in the spotlight.”
Croydon saw off the cup-holder in a tight decider, thanks to a second-half double by striker Andreas Wiens.
City dominated the first half and hit the woodwork twice in the space of three minutes.
Kings’ keeper Nick Munro also made brilliant saves either side of half-time to keep the score level.
A moment of magic by Croydon star Rocky Visconte created the breakthrough.
The winger’s pinpoint cross in the 57th minute was powerfully headed home by Wiens.
Croydon sealed its first cup since 2000 four minutes from time.
Another delightful delivery from man-of-the match Visconte again picked out Wiens, who volleyed home.
“Those two goals were top-shelf – I couldn’t ask for better as a coach,” Brazzale said.
“You dream about goals like that and my dream came true.
“Adelaide City, first half, were good and for us to beat them is a great feeling.
“We grew as the game went on and the work rate what was what I wanted.”
For Brazzale, the FFA Cup represents a return to soccer’s national stage.
The former midfielder made 145 appearances in the National Soccer League for Adelaide City and West Adelaide from 1989-98.
With seven ex-national league clubs in the draw, he welcomed a match-up with an old foe.
“To play a Sydney Olympic or South Melbourne would bring back a lot of good memories,” he said.
“Hopefully I can pass on some of the experiences that I went through.
“The world is at these boys’ feet in terms of what they can win at this club.
“There’s potential to keep winning trophies.”
Locally Croydon will be joined in the FFA Cup by last season’s winner Adelaide United and National Premier League champion MetroStars.
Rocky ready for big stage
ROCKY Visconte is the man for soccer’s big occasions.
The Croydon winger was the star in Sunday’s FFA Cup qualifying final win, providing two quality crosses for Andreas Wiens’ goals.
The man-of-the-match performance came nine months after Visconte (pictured) led the Kings to the SA Premier League championship.
“Personally I’m happy but it was a great team effort,” Visconte, last season’s top-flight player of the year, said.
“Last year we proved we can match it with the big clubs and this year we wanted to go on to bigger and better things.”
Visconte is no stranger to Australian football’s elite.
The speedster won A-League championships with Brisbane Roar in 2011 and 2012 and a Premier’s Plate with Western Sydney in 2013.
He said the FFA Cup was a chance to reignite his professional career.
“I’m excited but it’s massive for our younger boys who haven’t experienced travelling interstate to play before,” Visconte, 25, said.
“I know it’s a stage where (A-League) clubs will be watching but I always put the club first.
“Team success gives you individual success.”
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