SOCCER ACES READY FOR BIGGEST GAME IN CLUB’S HISTORY

THEY are united by their desire to lead the Gold Coast Knights to FFA Cup glory, but the biggest game in the club’s history could take Round of 32 rookies Andy Barisic and Griffin Libhart on vastly different paths.

While a career highlighted by 17 A-League games with Gold Coast United is nearing an end for 32-year-old Barisic, US import Libhart is among a host of Knights players using their cup run as a springboard to higher honours.

A knee injury could yet rule Libhart, formerly with second-tier US outfit Harrisburg City Islanders, out of tonight’s clash with A-League grand finalists Newcastle, but the 24year-old has impressed since joining the club mid-season.

Only four players in the squad – Roman Hofmann, Daniel Dragicevic, Justyn McKay and Eoghan Murphy – have featured in a Round of 32 fixture previously, and striker Barisic believes the Knights’ time in the spotlight could open doors.

“It’s a massive game for me (but) if I was 19, like some of the boys, it’s a different big game for them to expose themselves and give them an opportunity to come into the A-League. I think the whole aim of the FFA Cup is to give the smaller clubs an opportunity to showcase themselves and also the players,” said Barisic, who has also played in Germany, Indonesia, East Java, India, China and Hong Kong.

“It’s not very often you get these opportunities but hopefully as a club, with the direction

we’re going, it’s going to be quite repetitive. It won’t be the last time we’re there.

“We’ve got to enjoy it and give it everything we can. (The Jets) have got more to lose than we do, we’ve just got to give it our all.

“We know that they’re going to dominate possession but we’re going out there with the mentality that we can definitely win the game.”

A natural midfielder, Libhart has added utility value after arriving in Australia in April. While his plans for 2019 and beyond are uncertain, the Pennsylvania product knows tonight’s encounter could be the making of the Knights.

“This is a big opportunity for the club. I played at a good level in the US and … if the right opportunity presents itself I would love to play at a higher level,” Libhart said.

“Our centre back, Oskar Dillon, he can play with anyone and he’s definitely one of the guys that has a bright future. I’m confident the guys can get the job done.”