Adelaide United set to defend FFA Cup crown under new coach Gertjan Verbeek as one of three SA clubs in round-of-32 draw

Adelaide United is bidding to retain its crown, while building momentum in competitive matches under a new coach, as it prepares to learn its FFA Cup round-of-32 opponent.

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Retaining its crown, while building momentum in competitive matches, are Adelaide United’s targets as it prepares for an FFA Cup defence under its new coach.

The Reds would join National Premier Leagues SA sides Campbelltown City and Adelaide Olympic as the state’s representatives in the knockout competition’s round-of-32 draw.

United would learn its first opponent on Wednesday night, just hours after unveiling incoming Dutch boss Gertjan Verbeek at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Director of football Bruce Djite said the Reds hoped to lay down an early marker in the cup, seven months on from winning it for a record second time.

“It’s a prestigious trophy and we’re the holders of that trophy, so it’s very important that we defend it,” said Djite, a player in Adelaide’s 2014 FFA Cup triumph.

“How good would it be to go back-to-back FFA Cup winners?

Incoming Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek is set to learn his new club’s FFA Cup round-of-32 opponent. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images

“You’ve got to balance that with the bigger picture, which of course is the A-League.

“But it shouldn’t be a second-rate competition. It’s a big deal and a massive trophy to win.

“It’s important as defending titleholders that we do our upmost to keep that trophy at Coopers Stadium.”

United won five straight games under former manager Marco Kurz, including a stunning 2-1 final success over Sydney FC last October, to become the only side to claim the cup twice.

It came a year after the Reds lost the decider, also to the Sky Blues, and recorded just their third defeat in 19 matches during the tournament’s five-year existence.

Djite said another extended cup run would give Verbeek the opportunity to gauge the talent at his disposal and blood potential recruits in the heat of battle.

Adelaide Olympic will make its FFA Cup round-of-32 debut after downing Adelaide City in the SA knockout final. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

“The longer you can stay in the FFA Cup, you’re training for something,” said Djite, ahead of Adelaide starting its three-and-a-half month pre-season next week.

“You’re playing competitive games and that’s a definite motivating factor for the boys.”

United would join nine A-League clubs and 22 state league outfits from across the country in the national phase of the competition, which kicks off on July 23.

Start-up franchise Western United would not feature in the cup.

Ferryden Park-based Olympic earned its maiden passage to the round-of-32 when it downed Adelaide City 2-1 in the FFA Cup SA final at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday.

SA top flight champion Campbelltown qualified by winning the National Premier Leagues playoff last year.

The FFA Cup draw will be broadcast on Fox Sports 500 and streamed live on theffacup.com.au at 7pm on Wednesday.