South ready to show A-League credentials

Thursday, 21 September 2017: A-League aspirants South Melbourne are ready to make the most of a dream FFA Cup semi-final against Sydney FC.

South Melbourne are ready to prove they belong in the A-League when they host reigning champions Sydney FC in a dream FFA Cup semi-final next month.

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The four-time National Soccer League champions have landed another golden chance to spruik their expansion credentials after smashing Gold Coast City 6-0 in Wednesday night's quarter-final at Robina.

South's A-League bid chairman Bill Papastergiadis has promised a sellout crowd at Lakeside Stadium for the tantalising clash against the Sky Blues in mid-October - the club's biggest moment since the demise of the NSL.

But the odds are stacked against them as they seek to become the first state-league side to reach the FFA Cup final.

Preparations will go on without coach Chris Taylor, who is heading to Bali for a three-week holiday with his family.

Taylor's assistants will oversee training until his return but with the NPL season finished, it's unlikely South will play another match before meeting Graham Arnold's all-conquering outfit - who by then should have reached peak fitness and form.

"We'll monitor it the right way but that's where it becomes difficult for the semi-pro clubs," Taylor said.

"It will mean that over seven weeks we'll have played one competitive game.

"There's no other teams out there other than A-League teams and they've got their programs pretty much together now.

"We can't just go up and ask for a game next week."

Two more wins, however unlikely, would see South Melbourne claim their first piece of national silverware since winning the 1998-99 NSL grand final under Ange Postecoglou.

Striker Milos Lujic, who put two goals past an outclassed Gold Coast, reckons they are in with a genuine shot.

"We've been training all year for that, I'll be honest with you. All they've been talking about is the FFA Cup," he said.

"Hopefully we get a massive crowd, it'll be great for everyone.

"The way we're playing at the moment, we can push an A-League team, so we'll go into the next round with confidence."

Regardless, it is a priceless opportunity for a club that has made no bones about its ambition to return to the country's top tier.

"It means a lot. We've shown we're a team that's knocking on the door, on and off the pitch," Papastergiadis told AAP.

Western Sydney will host Adelaide United in the other semi-final, with details for both matches to be confirmed by the end of the week.