Eastern suburbs amateurs prepare to take on the big guns as lowest ranked side in the FFA Cup

MACCABI Hakoah Football Club are taking it “week-by-week” ahead of the biggest game of many of their lives when they take the field for the Westfield FFA Cup.

Terry dal Broi, Neil Jablonski, Daan Ranshuijsen and Mark McAlpine are members of the Hakoah state league team that have made the FFA Cup.

MACCABI Hakoah Football Club are taking it “week-by-week” ahead of the biggest game of many of their lives when they take the field for the Westfield FFA Cup.

The state league side earned its way in to the competition, which will decide the best team in Australia, beating sides ranked in two leagues above them in the premier league to book a spot.

Hakoah Coach, Mark Robertson said they are just going through the paces and playing in the Waratah Cup and trying not to get ahead of themselves in anticipation for the June 27 competition draw announcement.

The side’s core has been together for four years, has “100 per cent” helped the team overcome adversity, beating Northern Tigers (a premier league division two side) 5-1 to seal a spot.

Senior players such as Lloyd Owusu have international experience, with the Maccabi striker representing Ghana at five world cups. But their rise to the FFA Cup is giving younger players with a point to prove the opportunity.

Terry dal Broi, Neil Jablonski, Daan Ranshuijsen and Mark McAlpine are members of the Hakoah state league team that have made the FFA Cup.

“It was no surprise to me that they turned over the Northern Tigers and made the FFA Cup

“This is a massive opportunity. There’s guys in our squad that have palyed at very good levels and cups around the wprld. Some of the younger guys are trying to establish themselves and show people they are very capable of palying at a higher level.”

The side is the lowest ranked team in the 32-side cup and could find themselves up against an A-League side in round one.

Hakoah could find themselves up against the likes of the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Hakoah would get home ground advantage if it were to play against a professional side.

he said the prospect of seeing the Western Sydney Wanderers trudge on to hensley Athletic Field is something he never anticipates, but would be a “funny and exciting” situation.

“We could probably turn that energy into positive energy so the payers could use that to perform at the best of their ability.

“I would say to them, you watched this side play on the TV. Show them you are up to it. Show your fans family you are capable, show them you are capable of playing at their level.”