The Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club (DHUSC) has for the first time entered the 2017 National FFA Cup.
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The National Knockout Competition is the equivalent to England’s FA Cup.
The draw for the FFA Cup was streamed live last week on Facebook, with DHUSC drawing Victoria Park on Saturday, February at 6pm, at Ballarat’s Morshead Park.
It is a big ask first round for DHUSC, with Victoria Park being a division above DHUSC and well prepared for the match.
The winner will play State League 5 team Mt Lilydale in Melbourne in round 2.
DHUSC coach Dragi Koleski is excited about the year ahead for Daylesford and Hepburn United.
“It is great experience for the club to play in such a massive tournament, potentially against State League teams and even A-League clubs,” Koleski said. “Our players will benefit from seeing quality players across the park and it will get us ready for the 2017 season a bit earlier than usual.”
Team manager Ivan Carter described entering the National FFA Cup as momentous for the club and the Daylesford region.
“No other club in our shire has ever entered the tournament before,” Carter said.
The Westfield FFA Cup is a national knockout tournament run by Football Federation Australia in conjunction with every state and territory member federation in the country.
Every cup tie must be decided on the day, with extra time and penalties to decide results of matches drawn after 90 minutes.
In 2016, more than 650 semi professional and amateur clubs will compete in the preliminary rounds to determine the 21 slots allocated to member federations with the 22nd slot going to the reigning national PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues champions.
The 10 Hyundai A-League clubs will join the competition in round 32.
DHUSC supporters are being encouraged to attend the game on Saturday, February 11 at 6pm, to be played at Morshead Park in Ballarat.