South Melbourne’s results in the FFA Cup since the competition began have been nothing to write home about.

The A-League aspirants have stood on the sidelines as fellow Member Federations clubs have captured the spotlight, while the four-time NSL champions have been unable to get past the round of 32.

And Papastergiadis feels South Melbourne have a target on their back due the reputation that proceeds it.

“Teams want to knock off South because it’s a great scalp to have,” he said. “But you have to live with pressure and this is part of the pressure that we need to deal with as part of our bid.

“It’s a constant pressure if you want to push yourself to the top and we can’t avoid that pressure. It’s part of the reality of being South Melbourne and it’s part of the reality of aspiring to play in the A-League.”

A mouth-watering last 32 home clash sees South up against Northern NSW National Premier League side Edgeworth Eagles.

Armed with a home tie at this stage of the draw for the first time, Papastergiadis said victory over the Novocastrians could provide the impetus South Melbourne need to create a memorable cup run.

 

 

 

 

“The FFA Cup is a big driver for us,” he said. “You can’t underestimate the importance. You can’t underestimate its value, you can’t underestimate how the football public has embraced it.

“It reveals that the depth of football goes well beyond the A-League and that there is real passion.

“In previous years we haven’t achieved our best there is no doubt about that. This year we would like to correct that. We have a fabulous opportunity playing a home game against a very worthy opponent.

“It’s an opportunity to try and match the high achievements of the other NPL clubs in Victoria who have toppled a few A-league clubs and we’d love to be one of those clubs.

“It augers well for us if we can get through this next round.”

While having a successful cup run will provide a national spotlight, Papastergiadis said the story behind South Melbourne’s A-League bid has more than one chapter.  

“The FFA Cup is important but we need to put it into perspective,” he said. “It’s only one piece in the jigsaw. At the end of the day a club’s capacity and entitlement to enter the A-League will depend on numerous factors.

“The stadium deal, the support base if it has any, a social club and a football development program for men and women. As well it’s on field success over a long period of time which we have demonstrated for the last three years and now being on top of the league again this year.

“They are the important requirements at the end of the day for an A-League bid, the FFA Cup from our perspective is the icing on the cake. It’s the cherry on top.”