Olympic Ready For Cup Debut
Words & Image: Matt Dorman, Olympic FC
Olympic FC will be boosted by the knowledge of cup guru Tim Brown when they embark on their debut Football Queensland Cup campaign next Wednesday night.
Assistant Coach Brown will instil considerable knockout know-how in the NPL Queensland premiers having twice won the Canale Travel Cup – which serves as the Brisbane zone of the state wide tournament.
The experienced mentor captured the Brisbane competition in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011, the latter by defeating his current employers in the Final.
“I have a pretty good record in Cup competitions,” Brown said. “The first Canale Cup I won was Capalaba Bulldogs’ first ever trophy.
“Then the next year with Rochedale Rovers we beat Olympic FC with nine men, having had (then Rochedale, now Olympic duo) Terry Hughes and Reuben Way sent off.”
The reigning state champions’ road to the FFA Cup begins away to Capital League 3 outfit Centenary Stormers, the lowest-ranked club remaining in the competition.
While Brown admitted the fixture was favourable on paper, he tipped the squad to respect the knockout format and not underestimate the opponent.
“Players enjoy the sudden death nature of the Cup as it adds some spice to each tie,” he said.
“Jim (Bellas) and I believe that our players will have the right attitude for every game, plus they are playing for places for future games.”
Olympic FC is just one of 16 clubs in the Brisbane zone hoping to win their next three FQ Cup matches and remain standing as the final two, before joining two regional Queensland clubs, as well as automatic qualifiers Brisbane Roar, in the FFA Cup Round of 32.
Brown doesn’t expect the increased workload to trouble the squad with plenty to be gained in winning through to the national stage.
“Most of our players have been involved before with midweek cup fixtures so I don’t see it as a real issue,” he said.
“If we progress it is important to manage our squad and make sure everyone is prepared and keen to do well in the FFA Cup as the rewards can be great.
“So we have the experience, the question is, are we good enough?”
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