Power-ing up for historic day
Published 6:00am 24 August 2022
Peninsula Power is preparing for the “biggest day in the club’s history” this weekend.
Power face Sydney United on Sunday in their first Australia Cup quarter-final appearance after a sensation victory over Green Gully.
AJ Kelly Park will be packed for the 3pm kick-off with Senior Director of Football Ben Ryan hoping the tie will “crack the 2000 (spectators)" mark.
“I’ve been here six years and we have predominantly been in the highest league we can as a club,” Ryan said.
“But this is the national stage. It’s a level above grand finals - 100 per cent it’s the biggest day in the club’s history.
“The beauty of this club and its catchment is everyone gets behind us on the peninsula. Old players come back, all the kids turn up.
“The atmosphere for the last couple of (cup) games has been good. But I think if we can double the numbers this time it will be sensational.”
Power travel to Gold Coast United tonight in their final NPL Qld match of the season . Victory will guarantee a place in the top four.
They then have four days to prepare for Sydney United, who beat A-League Grand Final winners Western United on penalties in the last round.
Sydney dates back to 1957 (Power was formed in 2000) as Sydney Croatia, reach the national league in 1984 and made the finals the following two years.
Picture gallery - Power v Green Gully
The club was renamed Sydney United in 1993 and won the NPL NSW premiership in 2013 and 2016, the finals in 2020 and finished eighth this season
Sydney United has produced the likes of Socceroos Mark Bosnich, who played for Manchester United, former AC Milan keeper Zeljko Kalac and Tony Popovic, who was capped 58 times.
Five television cameras will be at AJ Kelly Park to capture all the action. Youngsters will also be part of the pre-game and half-time entertainment.
“It’s a Sunday afternoon, a family day and we’re hoping to capitalize on that,” Ben Ryan said.
Online ticket prices: $10 adults, $5 children, $5 concessions, $25 family (2 adults, two children). Admissions charges at the gate on the day, will be higher. To book tickets click here
Journey to quarters
Power’s path to the national quarter-finals has been tough with Sunday’s tie their seventh in the Australia Cup this season.
It started in the South-East Queensland Round 4 with a 9-0 victory at FQPL2 Surfers Paradise, before beating NPL Qld sides Gold Coast Knights 2-0 and Gold Coast United 2-1.
Rochedale, FQPL1 runners up, were beaten 2-0 in round seven to secure a place in the national 32, where NSW Spirit, from NPL2 NSW, were overcome 4-1.
That set up the Round 16 tie against Green Gully, which finished fourth in the NPL Victoria, who took the lead at AJ Kelly Park. But there was a dramatic turn.
Josh Woolley scored direct from a corner in the same 79th minute of the game, Alex Smith tapped home a rebound, after the keeper saved a long-range shot.
That secured a place in the quarter-finals which include all A-League ties between Adelaide and Brisbane Roar as well as Macarthur and Wellington. Sydney FC face Oakleigh Cannons.
Related Stories
Top Stories
Info sessions for North Pine dam
Drop-in community sessions are being held over the next nine days for those wanting more information about Seqwater’s dam improvement program.
Popular Stories
Moreton Bay artists shine in 2024 Brisbane Portrait Prize
Four Moreton Bay artists are among the 64 finalists chosen from almost 600 entries in this year’s Brisbane Portrait Prize. See their works...
'Priority' given for Waraba plans
Waraba, formerly known as Caboolture West, will be the 36th Priority Development Area in Queensland, unlocking land for 30,000 new homes and an estimated 70,000 new residents.
Trai Fuller: ‘It’s always felt like home’
Praised by Wayne Bennett for his courageous style of play and loved by long-time Dolphins fans, Trai Fuller has locked in a two-year deal with the club he calls home. He tells us why it means so much to him