Underdogs Surfers Paradise Apollo have an FFA Cup mission in the national capital

THEY’RE the Gold Coast version of the United Nations and they’re off for some serious soccer business in the national capital.

The Surfers Paradise Apollo FFA Cup squad. Back row (from left): Borko Tomic, Acim Tomic, Brandon Gomez, Ken Muur, Wade Russell, Tyler Thurtell, Theo Gregory, David Benigno (coach). Front row (from left): Lucas Lefevre, Ryan Britten, Bruno Rodriguez, Faider Royer-Mejia, Burcin Yorulmaz, Davide Landoni, Nikki Felizatto, Shota Nakagawa. Absent: Tolga Yorulmaz and Jean-Philippe Lasm. Photo: Regi Varghese

THEY’RE the Gold Coast version of the United Nations and they are off for some serious business in the national capital.

They are Surfers Paradise Apollo, who are playing Canberra Olympic in a FFA Cup round of 32 fixture in Canberra tonight.

The clash pits two clubs with Greek backgrounds against each other but in the case of Surfers the club epitomises mass multiculturalism.

The president, Telly Karadimos, is of Greek heritage. The coach, David Benigno, has an Italian background.

Then there is the playing group going to the chills of the Australian Capital Territory. There are 12 different countries represented in that group, including three Australians.

Yet they are united as one under the Apollo banner, says Benigno.

Surfers are a third-tier club in terms of national soccer. They play in the Gold Coast Premier League, which underpins the National Premier Leagues Queensland and other similar state competitions around the nation. Canberra Olympic are in the NPL Capital Football League and are running second.

“I’ve watched about six of their games but only on footage sent to me by a friend down Canberra way,” Benigno said.

“From what I could see, they look a well composed team and they have good structure with some quality players.

“Sure, we’re heading into unknown territory, but I like the fact we’re going in as the underdogs against an NPL club for the fourth time in a row.

“We have everything to play for but nothing to lose.”

His opposition coach Frank Cachia admits he knows precious little about the Apollo.

“I’ve seen just bits and pieces but I’m absolutely wary,” he said.

“Any team that has made the final 32 of the Cup has earned their stripes.”

The Apollo headed south yesterday minus five players who have featured in the FFA Cup run to date.

Acim Tomic is suspended, Lyndon Dykes and Jack Boxell are overseas, Jarrod Kyle cannot play because he turned out for Go Coast City in a previous Cup round and Simone Manganti has just returned from overseas.

“Three of that group are undisputedly in our starting 11 but the good thing is that without those players we’ve still got enough good depth,” Benigno said.

APOLLO’S UNITED NATIONS

David Beningo (coach) 42, Italy

Lucas Lefevre, 25, England

Wade Russell, 34, Australia

Tyler Thurtell, 25, Australia

Ryan Britten, 23, Australia

Borko Tomic, 31, Serbia

Burcin Yorulmaz, 26, Turkey

Shota Nakagawa, 28, Japan

Ken Muur, 41, Estonia

Faider Royer-Mejia28, Colombia

Acim Tomic, 26, Serbia

Bruno Rodriguez, 26, Uruguay

Theo Gregory, 24, Cyprus

Brandon Gomez, 23, Uruguay

Nikki Felizatto, 24, South Africa

Davide Landoni, 28, Italy

Tolga Yorulmaz, 21, Turkey

Jean-Philippe Lasm, 25, Ivory Coast.