Northern Fury and FNQ Heat will once again battle for the Frank Farina Cup in their PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland derby match in Townsville this Saturday.
The Frank Farina Cup is contested annually between the two clubs, and is named in honour of the former Socceroos player and coach.
Fury are currently fifth in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland standings and will go into the match as favourites against a Heat side three points behind in seventh.
Honours between the clubs are even so far this season with Fury prevailing 3-2 in the league season opener in Cairns, while Heat prevailed 1-0 in the last meeting between the sides in the Westfield FFA Cup last month.
Despite Heat suffering a mid-season form slump, Fury coach Ian Ferguson said his side are well aware that nothing can be taken for granted in derby football.
“It’s one game at a time for us, and in Derby matches you can be sure of two things - expect the unexpected and and there’s a first time for everything,” Ferguson said.
The lure of the Frank Farina Cup going to the winning club only adds additional spice to the always intriguing derby encounter.
Fury Chairman Rabieh Krayem explained that Farina’s legacy tied in well with the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues talented player pathway in regional centres such as Townsville and Cairns.
Farina remains a legend to the football communities north of the Capricorn, and forged a successful international playing career in Europe’s toughest leagues after starting his senior career with Mareeba United.
“Frank Farina is the most successful player ever from this region of Australia,” Krayem said.
“Frank is a really good example of a kid from the country who went all the way in football, when it was even more difficult to do so compared with now.”
“It’s good to be able to say to promising young Fury and Heat players that dreams can come true if they’re prepared to work at it."
Fixture details
Northern Fury FC v FNQ FC Heat
Saturday, July 18
Brolga Park, Townsville
Kick-off - 7:00PM
Admission - $5.00 / Free (Under 15’s)