Lions FC welcome North Sunshine Eagles to Brisbane in what is a historic Hahn Australia Cup quarter-final irrespective of the result.
The NPL QLD side will go into the match as favourites but the Eagles - who had their relegation from the second tier of Victorian football confirmed this week - have demonstrated significant tenacity and grit in the Cup this season and will hope to finish their season on a positive note.
Read our preview of the action below.
Lions FC v North Sunshine Eagles
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: Luxury Paints Stadium
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets
Lions FC and North Sunshine Eagles both have a chance to make history as they play for a place in the Hahn Australia Cup semi-finals.
This is the sixth time that Lions FC have taken part in the national stages of the Cup, but the first that they have appeared in a quarter-final. They reached this stage after two incredible ‘Cupsets’ – first, overcoming the Perth Glory on penalties, and then defeating Melbourne City 2-0 in the Round of 16.
Lions have had an extraordinary season in all competitions. They finished top of the NPL QLD and are set to compete in the semi-finals this weekend. Alexander Fietchtner has spearheaded that effort, with an extraordinary 32 goals in the league, earning himself the golden boot award.
It was Mitchell Hoare who was the hero in the Round of 16, however, scoring the sealer against City to secure the result. He – along with the likes of Luke Broderick and Shaun Carlos – will hope to continue that form in the quarter-finals.
The story of North Sunshine Eagles is arguably one of the most compelling of the Cup. Their campaign was already a success when they defeated NPL SA’s FK Beograd in the Round of 32 in their first ever appearance on the national stage. Not many gave them a shot of defeating NPL Victoria giants Heidelberg United in the Round of 16 – however, that is exactly what they did, with Rory Brian making two penalty saves in a shootout to see them through.
They have achieved this with the backdrop of having confirmed relegation from VPL1, the second tier of Victorian state football, and will be playing on Tuesday with nothing to lose.
