FFA Cup soccer: Liam Boland out to strike Avondale FC past Marconi Stallions in Round of 32

THEY call Liam Boland Mr FFA Cup and the Avondale FC striker is planning to make his presence felt against Marconi Stallions.

THEY call Liam Boland Mr FFA Cup.

The Avondale FC striker will compete in the national stages of the tournament for the third time tonight when the NPL Victoria club hosts former NSL powerhouse Marconi Stallions.

Boland scored one of the greatest goals in the competition’s short history in 2016 while playing for Green Gully, producing a stunning matchwinner to earn his then club an upset victory over A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners.

FFA CUP: HISTORY MEANS LITTLE IN ROUND OF 32

The 26-year-old has dared Marconi goalkeeper Nenad Vekic to offer him the same opportunity at Broadmeadows Valley Park.

“If it’s there, I definitely won’t be second guessing myself,” Boland said.

“I believe in myself, so if it’s there I’ll have a dip.”

Liam Boland celebrates a goal with his Avondale FC teammates during qualifying. Picture: Avondale FC.

Avondale FC has enjoyed a meteoric rise to national prominence under coach Anthony Barbieri, competing in State League 3 — the fifth tier of Victorian soccer — as recently as 2012.

The ambitious club sits third on the NPL table behind Heidelberg United and Bentleigh Greens, but will put its league ambitions on hold tonight.

“It has been such a big achievement for the club in the last decade, coming up from the lower ranks of Victorian football,” Boland said.

“This was our goal at the start of the year, to get to this stage and now that we are here we definitely want to push on with it and make the most of being on the national stage.”

Liam Boland nets a goal for Avondale FC during the qualifying rounds against Richmond. Picture: Avondale FC.

While it will be making its maiden appearance in the FFA Cup Round of 32, Avondale FC boasts several players who have experienced the national stage.

Defenders Dillon Jakupi, Ramazan Tavsancioglu and Ross Archibald, midfielder Evan Christodoulou and Boland have been thrust into the national spotlight at their previous clubs.

“Being there two times before, I know what to expect,” Boland said.

“I think we have got a squad that’s very excited and very prepared for what is coming.”

The fixture could feature several ex A-League players, with Jonatan Germano and Joey Katebian in the Avondale squad and Marconi boasting former Socceroo Michael Beauchamp, Sean Rooney, Marc Warren and Marko Jesic.

Kick-off is 7.30pm at Broadmeadows Valley Park.

Fellow NPL Victoria side Port Melbourne Sharks will take on Apia Leichardt Tigers at JL Murphy Reserve from 7.30pm.