PICTURE: Mikayla Haupt
Mikayla Haupt
Across The Waves FC men’s team have a chance to go further than they have before in the Australia Cup competition this weekend.
Taking the field at Martens Oval against Mackay Lions for Round 5 of Australia Cup, coach Rick Irvine said it was in this round of the competition that they lost last year.
Unlike Frenchville, who the Waves have met on the park numerous times before and defeated in a penalty shoot out during the previous Australia Cup round, the Mackay Lions are new opponents for the local squad.
Irvine said knowing little about the Lions’ style and formation meant they would have to trust in their own processes and systems, and make any necessary adjustments on the fly.
Hoping to get the game done in 90 minutes, Irvine said what you hope for and what you prepare for are two different things.
Last round saw the game not only go into overtime but a penalty shoot out, meaning Waves’ players were out on their feet for 2 hours.
He said injury, weather and referee decisions were among the factors that could impact a game, so you have to “have your wits about you”.
Irvine said the squad was coming off a good win on the weekend, playing with good habits to take into the Australia Cup match.
In the Football Queensland Wide Bay Premier League men’s competition, Waves defeated KSS Jets 10-0, while UPE had a 4-0 win over Doon Villa, Bingera got up 2-1 over Fraser Flames and Sunbury Blues won 9-2 against SC Corinthians.
This week Irvine said he has the highest percentage of players available to select from.
He said so far this season he still hadn’t put out the same starting 11, having played 29 players for the season already.
Irvine said they were fortunate to have the depth throughout the club.
When it comes to training ahead of the Lion’s match he said they wouldn’t be doing anything different.
Irvine said the team was really excited about the upcoming match and were looking to go one better than last year.
He hopes there is a huge crowd on Saturday to take in the game.
Kick off for the Australia Cup match at Martens Oval is at 7.30pm.
In the premier league fixtures, Fraser Flames take on Doon Villa 19 May at 8pm at the Fraser Coast Sports Precinct.
On Saturday, SC Corinthians will face KSS Jets at the Fraser Coast Sports Precinct at 6pm, while at Field 2 at Martens Oval UPE are up against Sunbury at 7pm.