Norzone club Casuarina handed a September 21 date for its first FFA Cup Round of 32 clash

National Premier League side Lions FC will host Norzone club Casuarina in an historic FFA Cup game in Brisbane.

TERRITORY soccer will be showcased to the rest of Australia next month.

Norzone club Casuarina is travelling to Brisbane to play National Premier League club Lions FC in an FFA Cup Round of 32 game.

COVID-19 forced the game to be rescheduled from early August to Tuesday, September 21 at Lions Stadium in the Brisbane suburb of Richlands.

That date is in the middle of a busy week for the Rowdies, who will be involved in the Norzone top four finals.

Casuarina captain Gordon Pereira and his teammates celebrate a goal. Will they be in a celebratory mood in the FFA Cup next month?

But club president Scott Piper said the sense of occasion and history associated with the clash meant exciting time for Casuarina.

“We’re the first team from the Territory that’s had to play an away game, so that’s something new and different for the guys to take in,’’ he said.

It is the biggest game the Rowdies have been involved in since their formation in 1977.

A win over the Lions on their own turf will be the first time a Territory team has advanced to the last 16.

“It’s our first time (in the Round of 32) after trying for six or seven years to get there,’’ Piper said.

“So it’s a big occasion for the club when everyone will be watching us.

“Winning is certainly the plan, we’re not there just to make up the numbers.

“We are the underdogs, but it is a round ball where anything can and often does happen in 90 minutes of football.’’

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Piper said playing out the full 90 minutes was essential if they were to upset the Lions.

“We’re down there to compete, so we’ll give ourselves every opportunity to get a good result,’’ he said.

“All the guys are fighting fit and although there’s a few weeks to get through in between and barring any mishaps, we’ll have our best squad ready to go down to Brisbane.’’

Piper played down the probability of a tight playing schedule in late September.

“That’s sport mate, but I’m assuming they’ll (Lions) be in a similar boat with their finals campaign and the like.’’

This year’s Cup competition will create its own piece of history on September 26 when Perth-based club Floreat Athena host defending champions Adelaide United.

The Sunday night clash is the first time a Cup game has been held on a weekend.

Cup games resume on September 14 with NPL and A-League clubs in action.

The final has been scheduled for Saturday, October 16.