DATE WITH DESTINY: EARLY GLIMPSE AT COAST’S LOOMING FOOTBALL STOUSH
Plenty at stake as United and Knights fight for supremacy
THIS could be the start of something big.
NPL adversaries from 2019, Gold Coast United and Gold Coast Knights will write the first historic chapter in their looming local rivalry when they fight for FFA Cup supremacy at the Croatian Sports Centre tonight.
Up for grabs in the Round 5 encounter at 7pm will be the honour of representing the city in the main draw, but both sides know there is also an early chance to claim Coast bragging rights.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of expectation on Knights after doing so well (in the Gold Coast Premier League) last
year and after recruiting players who’ve played NPL and who’ve been in the FFA Cup,” Knights captain and forward Andrew Barisic said.
“The experience in our team, it shows on paper and on the field.”
Barisic, 32, played 17 games for the now-defunct Gold Coast United A-League team, with his career also taking him to Germany and
Asia. United counterpart Acim Tomic also has his fair share of experience, having been a member of the Surfers Paradise Apollo outfit that knocked Gold Coast City out of the FFA Cup in 2016 before reaching the Round of 32.
“The buzz around the FFA Cup, you can’t describe it. Everyone’s really excited,” the 28-year-old defender said.
The Cup clash will also rekindle an old rivalry between coaches Grae Piddick (Knights) and Sean Lane (United).
Piddick was coach of the former Gold Coast City NPL side in 2017 as Lane took the Brisbane Strikers to secondstraight premiership.
“I’ve coached against Grae a few times,” Lane said.
“I know what his teams are like – big, physical, powerful sides. They’ve got players who can play as well.
“We know what we’re up against – there’ll be no surprises.”
Piddick, who brought a string of former City players with him to the Knights, said he had been keeping an eye on United’s NPL progress.
“I’ve watched United a few times. I think they’re definitely improving and they’ve recruited a few players in recent weeks,” he said.
“They (United) are a third of the way into their season, so they’re match ready, so to speak.
“We’ll need to make sure we’re physically ready for Tuesday, for what we know will be a tough game.”