Gold Coast Knights set sights on Newcastle Jets in FFA Cup after Gold Coast Premier League victory

THEY’VE conquered the Coast. Now, the Gold Coast Knights are determined to make the most of their shot at national glory in Tuesday night’s do-or-die FFA Cup clash with the Newcastle Jets.

THEY’VE conquered the Coast.

Now, the Gold Coast Knights are determined to make the most of their shot at national glory in Tuesday night’s do-or-die FFA Cup clash with A-League heavyweights Newcastle Jets.

Buoyed by securing back-to-back Gold Coast Premier League championships on Tuesday, the Knights will put the finishing touches on preparations for arguably the biggest game in the club’s history with a training run at Robina’s Cbus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Riding a five-game FFA Cup winning streak into the Round of 32 battle, they will return to Cbus at 7.30pm on Tuesday to face a Jets outfit still smarting from their 1-0 grand final loss to Melbourne Victory in May.

CLUB FIELD LIKE BEING ‘IN SYRIA’

Knights coach Grae Piddick, whose troops secured the league title with a 2-0 win over Palm Beach, urged his players not to let slip their chance to star on the big stage.

“It’s super exciting. Obviously there’s boys that have been there before but there’s plenty of boys who haven’t so I’m really excited for them,” Piddick, who steered Palm Beach and Gold Coast City into the cup quarterfinals in 2014 and 2017 respectively, said.

Gold Coast Knights coach Grae Piddick.

BULLETIN’S WEEKLY FOOTBALL GOLD COAST REPORT CARD

“We’re representing the Gold Coast, we’ve got a very tough game and we still have to improve of course. We’ve got a week to work on things and improve, and I think that’s why this game (against Palm Beach) has really helped us, because the intensity of the game was good.

“That’s going to help us going into Newcastle and we’re going to try our best. Hopefully everyone gets down and gives us a bit of support, no matter what happens.”

Having booked their Round of 32 ticket with an extra-time win over Sunshine Coast in early June, the Knights this week became the first team to win back-to-back Premier League crowns since Burleigh in 2006-07.

BEATEN COACH SLAMS RIVAL AFTER LOSS

Second-placed Burleigh’s 2-2 draw with Surfers Paradise left them 10 points adrift of the Knights with three rounds to play.

The Knights, who have played an extra game, also have the chance to become the first undefeated champions since Murwillumbah in 2013 ahead of their move to the NPL next season.