Adelaide United begins FFA Cup marathon away to Darwin Olympic

Photo Winger Kevin Menda, goalkeeper Kane McAdam and coach Steve Lolias will feature in Darwin Olympic’s FFA Cup debut

ADELAIDE United will need to overcome a soldier, a stevedore and a couple of backpackers when it begins its FFA Cup defence in Darwin tomorrow night.

The Reds head north to face Darwin Olympic at Marrara’s Larrakia Park in the ultimate David versus Goliath contest.

But for the Top End part-timers, the round of 32 clash represents a shot at soccer immortality.

Winger Kevin Menda divides his time between selling footwear in a sports store, completing Year 12 studies and banging in goals for Olympic.

The Congolese-born hitman says the 19-time NT champion is eyeing the biggest shock in the national knockout competition’s short history.

“We’re not too nervous, we’re just looking forward to the game,” Menda, 19, says.

“There’s no pressure on us – it’s all on Adelaide.

“They’re the professional team so they do this day-in-day-out, it’s their job and they get paid for it, but we don’t.

“If we can produce something spectacular it would be amazing to write our names into the history book.”

Olympic became the first side from the Top End to qualify for the FFA Cup when it thrashed Celtic FC 5-0 in the NT cup final in June.

Since then it has been business as usual for the likes of midfielder Matthew Goodwin, who loads ships at Darwin Harbour, and defender Josh Horvat, a Lance Corporal in the 5th Royal Australian Regiment.

Meanwhile, British backpackers Jacob Brandon (labourer) and James Walsh (electrician) have continued to fit casual roles around training three nights a week.

Olympic beat Port Darwin 4-0 in a league match last Thursday night which was rescheduled to allow it extra preparation for the cup clash.

With a vocal crowd of more than 2500 expected for one of the biggest nights in NT soccer history, McAdam is aiming high.

“We’ve all dreamt about this moment,” says the 20 year old, who played against United for the NorZone Allstars last August.

“Everyone wants us to do our best and make Darwin football proud.”

FFA Cup round of 32

Darwin Olympic v Adelaide United

Larrakia Park, Darwin

Tomorrow, 8pm

Match streamed live at foxsports.com.au

Darwin Olympic squad

Kane McAdam, 20, goalkeeper, teacher’s aide

George Skartados, 27, goalkeeper, painter

Josh Horvat, 24, defender, army

Stephen Agyei, 28, defender, apprentice electrician

Alex Turner, 20, defender, student

Ilias Roditis, 23, defender, refrigeration mechanic

Igor Alves, 30, defender, IT consultant

Louis Buntin, 20, defender, bank teller

Billy Kathopoulis, 20, defender, roofer

Jacob Brandon, 24, midfielder, backpacker / labourer

Oldrich Dubsky, 32, midfielder, marketing officer

James Walsh, 25, midfielder, backpacker / electrician

John Drohan, 29, midfielder, roofer

Matthew Goodwin, 28, midfielder, stevedore

Michael Reid, 21, midfielder, student

Dean Moloy, 28, midfielder, carpenter

Michael Tsounias, 26, forward, council concreter

Ross Tsounias, 30, forward, real estate agent

Kevin Menda, 19, forward, retail

Foday Mansaray, 21, forward, retail

Mitchell Amidy, 32, forward, sales manager

Yuki Endo, 33, forward, project management