Surfers Paradise ‘quietly confident’ of upsetting NPL heavyweights Olympic in FFA Cup Round 7

THEY have been handed the monumental task of shutting down Queensland’s most lethal strike force but Surfers Paradise are adamant their own attacking prowess could be their ticket to the FFA Cup’s Round of 32.

THEY have been handed the monumental task of shutting down Queensland’s most lethal strike force but Surfers Paradise are adamant their own attacking prowess could be their ticket to the FFA Cup’s Round of 32.

Impressive 3-1 victors over Moreton Bay United in Round 6 late last month, Surfers will get a second shot at an NPL heavyweight when they host Olympic at 4pm tomorrow.

The visitors’ offensive arsenal is headlined by Chris Lucas and Alex Smith, who have scored 19 and eight goals respectively this season to make them the NPL’s most prolific pair.

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But with Apollo boasting Gold Coast Premier League Golden Boot leader Teddy Watson, former Gold Coast United star Chris Broadfoot and an in-form Hayden Sumner, captain Bruno Rodriguez said the hosts were ready to fight fire with fire.

“We’ve got many players, and I’ve said it to the boys many times, who could be playing NPL. We’re always going to score goals, we’ve got quality players up front as well,” the 29-year-old midfielder said.

Olympic captain Steve Whyte with Surfers Paradise counterpart Bruno Rodriguez ahead of tomorrow’s Round 7 FFA Cup clash at Lex Bell Oval.

“I’d be lying if I was saying I wasn’t quietly confident we could go there and beat Olympic but it will be tough. Obviously they’re a quality NPL team but we feel like we’ve got no pressure on ourselves, just like (against) Moreton Bay.

“By getting to this stage we’ve already won. Nobody expected us to get this far so it’s a big achievement.

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“The main thing we’ve got to worry about is shutting down Chris Lucas and Alex Smith. Chris is the top scorer in the NPL and if you can limit his damage you give yourself a shot.”

Victory at Lex Bell Oval would seal Surfers’ second Round of 32 appearance after a Dave Benigno-coached Apollo outfit reached the national stage in 2016.

Rodriguez was skipper of the side that was ultimately eliminated with a 1-0 loss away to Canberra Olympic and he said that run had ignited a fire for more success three years on.

Surfers Paradise striker Teddy Watson. Picture: Mike Batterham

“We were certainly unlucky back then in the Round of 32. We had so many injuries and only came away with a 1-0 loss,” he said.

“Even that following season we were eager to go one better, as a player you always want to do better. Getting to the Round of 32 would be one of my highlights as a player and absolutely I’m keen to do it again.”

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Coming off a 3-2 win over Holland Park, Coomera can also seal a Round of 32 berth at home to QPL side Logan Lightning at 7pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Palm Beach have been forced to postpone all matches at Duncan McKenna Field tomorrow, including the Sharks’ Premier League encounter with Tweed United, due to field maintenance.

Ladder-leading Burleigh Heads travel to Nerang at 3pm on Sunday.

SURFERS’ CUP RUN

■ Round 2 - def. Kingscliff 6-1

■ Round 3 - def. Brisbane Knights 9-1

■ Round 4 - def. Maroochydore Swans 6-1

■ Round 5 - def. Grange Thistle 5-1

■ Round 6 - def. Moreton Bay United 3-1

■ Round 7 vs. Olympic at Lex Bell Oval at 4pm today