Adelaide could be Apia’s next FFA Cup victims

Adelaide coach Marco Kurz says his team need to show off their credentials if they are to avoid being Apia Leichhardt’s next victims.

Apia Leichhardt Tigers player Tasuku Sekiya. Picture: Richard Dobson

Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz says his team need to show off their A-League credentials if they want to ensure they are not next on the list of FFA Cup giant killers Apia Leichhardt.

The Reds will play the NSW National Premier League club in a cup quarter-final at Leichhardt Oval tonight knowing they will be up against a side full of confidence after knocking out A-League champions Melbourne Victory in the round of 16 on August 31.

United, inaugural cup winners in 2014 and beaten finalists last year, will start firm favourites to advance to the top four and join fellow A-League clubs Western Sydney and Sydney FC.

Victorian NPL clubs Bentleigh Greens and Heidelberg United face off in another quarter-final. But it is the United-Apia contest that has captured the imagination.

An Apia win against the odds would see two NPL sides in the last four for the first time in the competition’s history.

But Kurz is adamant he won’t allow that to happen. “I think it is always dangerous for an A-League side against an NPL side. We are the favourite and the NPL side has nothing to lose,” Kurz said. “We had a good warning. They beat Victory in a hard game. But we know what we have to do.

“We have to have a very good attitude, the same as in the A-League. We need a perfect performance. We have to have to perform like an A-League team.”

Kurz dismissed suggestions Apia would sit back and try to hit his side on the counter. “What I saw against Victory is that they are a very aggressive opponent. They defend high and with intensity,” he said. “They play hard but are good in the duels.”

Apia, a former giant of Australian soccer and a club steeped in history and tradition, will be up for the fight.