Power-ing up for historic day

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 79^th 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.