With Glory’s 2018 FFA Cup Round of 32 opponents set to be revealed later today, we thought a look back over our previous performances at this stage of the competition was in order.
Interestingly, we’ve never been drawn at home in the Round of 32 and ironically, the only time we’ve been pitted against non-Hyundai A-League opposition remains the one occasion on which we haven’t managed to progress into the last 16.
So before we discover what fate the cup gods have decreed for us this year, here’s a quick reminder of our Round of 32 story so far.
2014
Newcastle Jets 0 Perth Glory 2
Wanderers Oval
Current skipper Andy Keogh captured the headlines by bagging a brace on his competitive debut for the club as Glory made light of a tough away draw.
The Ireland international’s first effort was adjudged to have crossed the line after bouncing down off the underside of the bar, while his second was a composed close-range finish.
Glory went on to account for another A-League side in the form of Melbourne Victory, as well as semi-pro duo St Albans Saints and Bentleigh Greens, en route to the competition’s inaugural final where we they were edged out by Adelaide United.
2015
Newcastle Jets 2 Perth Glory 2 (3-4 on penalties)
Magic Park
Once again Glory were handed a trip to the Hunter Valley and once again they prevailed.
But the circumstances at the wonderfully-named Magic Park were a lot more dramatic.
David Carney’s first-half goal had looked set to send the hosts through until Sidnei Sciola scrambled home an 87th-minute equaliser for the men in yellow.
The visitors then found themselves in front early in the first period of extra-time when Nebojsa Marinkovic fired home from the spot after Antony Golec had been felled in the area.
Five minutes from time, however, Labinot Haliti came back to haunt Glory yet again, diverting home a Carney cross to ensure that a shoot-out would be required to separate the sides.
And it was Glory who kept their nerve as Gyorgy Sandor endeared himself to his new team-mates by firing home the decisive penalty.
Queensland Lions were tamed by Kenny Lowe’s side in the next round, before another shoot-out ended in victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.
A last-four win over Melbourne City duly earned Glory a second final appearance in succession, but again they came up just short, this time at the hands of Melbourne Victory.
2016
Brisbane Roar 0-2 Perth Glory
Ballymore Stadium
Another tough away draw, another impressive Glory win.
This time Queensland was the destination and Dino Djulbic was the club’s unlikely, two-goal hero.
Marinkovic provided two of his trademark pinpoint set-piece deliveries, both inside the opneing 20 minutes and the big defender provided two accomplished finishes which he still likes to mention today!
Unfortunately for the WA side, their campaign hit the buffers in the next round as Sydney FC claimed a 2-0 extra-time win at Dorrien Gardens courtesy of goals from Milos Ninkovic and Alex Brosque.
2017
Heidelberg United 1-0 Perth Glory
Olympic Village
Glory’s most painful FFA Cup experience to date occurred on a grim evening at the Olympic Village when they fell victim to a high-profile giant-killing.
Flying high in the NPL Victoria at the time, Heidelberg came into the game bursting with confidence and Kenny Athiu’s stunning strike just after the break set them on their way to a famous win.
It was a night to forget for everyone of a purple persuasion, but as tough as it was to stomach, both the occasion and the result exemplified exactly why the FFA Cup continues to keep the footballing fraternity enthralled.
#OneGlory
