‘Bring on A-League rivals’, says Smith

GOLD Coast City striker Sam Smith is relishing the possibility of A-League opposition in next month’s FFA Cup quarter-finals, believing his side can continue their fairytale run.

City are the only Queensland team left in the cup after beating fellow NPL outfit Moreton Bay United 1-0 at Wolter Park on Wednesday night in a match that included a power failure that halted play for close to 20 minutes.

The match also pitted brothers Grae and Adam Piddick head-to-head.

Four A-League teams – Adelaide United, Melbourne City, Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC – remain in the cup, but of the quartet, only Adelaide have so far sealed a quarter-final berth.

Gold Coast are one of three NPL clubs to have reached the last eight, with five more lower-tier clubs playing their round-of-16 matches next week.

Smith, who scored City’s extra-time winner from the penalty spot on Wednesday, doesn’t mind what level of opposition his side meets in the quarter-finals.

“We’re ambitious and I honestly think whoever we get, we’ll give them a game, even an A-League Smith said.

“If it is an A-League team, we’ll enjoy it and we’ll give them a good test – bring it on.”

Born in England, where he played for a host of nonleague clubs, the 27-year-old marksman is no stranger to cup matches and loves the possibilities that a knockout competition presents.

“It’s brilliant and it (the FFA Cup) does have that same feeling as the FA Cup, which is so famous in England. There’s a great buzz team,” about it and people get excited for it, which is great,” Smith said.

But before they worry about their next cup opponent, City must focus on the NPL Queensland finals series.

They host Western Pride at Palm Beach tomorrow night for a spot in the grand final. In tomorrow night’s other semi-final, the Brisbane Strikers meet Moreton Bay at Perry Park.

“We’ll have a good recovery and we’ll be going for it on Saturday,” Smith said.

IF IT IS AN A-LEAGUE TEAM, WE’LL ENJOY IT AND WE’LL GIVE THEM A GOOD TEST – BRING IT ON GOLD COAST’S SAM SMITH

Picture: GETTY IMAGES City’s Sam Smith, jostling against Moreton Bay, said he’d be more than happy to face an A-League side in the next round of the FFA Cup.