Rockdale City have confirmed that if Sydney FC want to win their FFA Cup round of 32 clash, then the Sky Blues will have to do it on Rockdale’s patch.
The Suns announced the Ilinden Sports Centre will be the venue for the national round Sydney derby after the club attained the necessary temporary lighting.
With the match selected for live national broadcast, Rockdale were required to improve their lighting to an appropriate standard for television coverage.
But unlike 2015 when Rockdale were forced to move their round of 16 match against A-League champions Melbourne Victory to Jubilee Oval at Kogarah, the Suns will get to make the most out of home ground advantage against Sydney FC.
Rockdale player-coach and former Sydney FC player Paul Reid said the club were always keen to play at their own ground.
“You always talk about it. To get that televised game is quite financially viable for the club,” he said.
“We wanted to have it at home. A lot was spoken about that Victory game and we had to pay money to have access to Jubilee then. To have it at our own home ground is much better for the club. I know it was quite lucrative for Sydney United about three seasons back.
“It will be a great spectacle for the Rockdale community. I hope all of our juniors and local St George Football Association junior players can get along. It’s going to be a great atmosphere and a great night.”
Tickets for the match, including corporate, reserved seating and general admission, are available to pre-purchase online.
The club are strongly advising fans to get in early after they sold more than 300 tickets in the first few hours of them going on sale, with the capacity expected to be between five and six thousand.
The match will be played on August 1.
Details: moshtix.com.au
