Minnows set to square off and top-flight powers ready to clash in FFA Cup SA round-of-16 draw
A clash between an amateur league battler and a third-tier minnow, as well as three all top flight encounters, will headline the FFA Cup SA round-of-16.
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A clash between an amateur league battler and a third-tier minnow, as well as three all top flight encounters, will headline the FFA Cup SA round-of-16.
The third round draw of the knockout competition on Wednesday paired Sunday amateurs Elizabeth Downs with State League Two surpirse-packet Vipers.
National Premier Leagues SA leader Adelaide Blue Eagles were handed a tricky trip to fellow powerhouse Raiders, having scraped past collegiate side Rostrevor Old Collegians.
Cup holder Adelaide Comets host South Adelaide and five-time winner MetroStars travel to play Para Hills in the other meetings of top-flight rivals.
Vipers pulled off the shock of the second round, trouncing second-tier Noarlunga United 4-1 on the weekend.
Coach Peter Stefanopoulos was looking forward to taking on reigning amateur champion Elizabeth Downs, just 13 years on from the Woodville-based club’s formation.
“It’s obviously exciting to keep going in the FFA Cup and get to the next stage,” said Stefanopoulos, during The Advertiser’s live stream of the draw.
“It doesn’t really matter what opponent you get, you’ve got to come out and play.
“Getting an amateur side, we’ll just assess it as the next hurdle to get over and see what happens.
“It’s the first time we’ve gotten this far (in the cup), so to beat Noarlunga the way we did was a big coup for the club.
“The way we did it showed how far we’ve come in our short history.”
The other remaining Sunday amateur side Elizabeth Vale faces an uphill task, after drawing three-time National Soccer League champion Adelaide City at Oakden.
White City, second in State League One, and Adelaide Victory, 11th, will square off in an all division-two duel.
Fellow second-tier clubs Playford City and Cumerland United meet top fight opponents in Croydon Kings (away) and Adelaide Olympic (home).
Ties will be played on the weekend of May 3-5. Fixture details will be confirmed in the coming days.
The winner of the FFA Cup SA will join A-League side Adelaide United and NPL champion Campbelltown City in the knockout competition’s national round-of-32.
FFA CUP SA - ROUND-OF-16
Croydon Kings v Playford City
Para Hills v MetroStars
Elizabeth Downs v Vipers
Raiders v Adelaide Blue Eagles
Adelaide Comets v South Adelaide
Adelaide City v Elizabeth Vale
Cumberland United v Adelaide Olympic
White City v Adelaide Victory
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