The seventh round of the FFA Cup, which will be played over the next fortnight, represents not only the quarterfinals of the state knockout competition, but also the qualifying round for the nationwide Round of 32 teams of the Westfield FFA Cup competition.

The draw last week has thrown up a mixed bag of challenges for the four Greek clubs remaining in the competition. Three of these teams are NPL 1 heavyweights South Melbourne, Bentleigh Greens, and Heidelberg United. They are joined by NPL 2 W club Northcote City.

A resurgent South Melbourne will be favourites to progress to Rd of 32 having drawn against NPL 2 East league leader Dandenong City at home with the match date yet to be finalised.

Interestingly, Dandenong City will feature some ex-South personnel including coach Stuart Munro and three players who had short spells at Lakeside: David Stirton, Steven Topalovic, and veteran Ljubo Milicevic.

Bentleigh Greens and Green Gully are two teams who made the Rd of 32 last season and they’ll face off at Kingston Heath on Tuesday 23 May. Bentleigh has struggled with injuries and suspensions this year and is currently in fourth spot on the league ladder. John Anastasiadis’ team will have to be at their best to knock out a much improved Green Gully who have lost just one of their last 13 matches and sit in second place on the ladder. At the helm for Gully will be Cup specialist coach Arthur Pappas who last week rejoined the club after an overseas stint working in Jordan. Pappas will be keen to maintain the momentum Gully has created under the impressive tenure of caretaker coach Brian Vanega.

Local rivals Northcote City and Heidelberg United will battle it out for a place in the Round of 32. Under coach Zeljkio Kuzman Northcote are enjoying a fine season, well out in front at the top of the NPL2 W competition. Although they will go in as underdogs against the Bergers, Kuzman’s team will go into the match knowing they are capable of causing an upset, following their victory against another NPL 1 side Port Melbourne Sharks after a penalty shoot-out in the previous round of the Cup.

The other state-based Rd 7 FFA Cup tie is another local derby between Hume City and Moreland City.

In interstate FFA Cup news, Sydney Olympic are also now just one win away from the nationwide Round of 32, following a hard fought come-from-behind 2-1 win at home against Parramatta Eagles last Tuesday. Trailing 1-0 at the break, Olympic fought back in the second half to knock out the Eagles and progress to the next round through goals to forwards Pavicevic and Kuboki.