Grassroots bolters Bentleigh Greens are refusing to be daunted by the huge hurdle standing between them and a berth in the inaugural FFA Cup final.
The Victorian state league side's fairytale run faces its biggest challenge in Tuesday's home semi-final when they not only confront A-League opposition for the first time but come up against the new ladder leaders, Perth Glory.
Bentleigh, who have beaten NSW grassroots sides Blacktown City and Sydney Olympic as well as Adelaide City to earn their place in the last four, do at least have one major advantage.
Glory's last-start A-League win over Central Coast came just 48 hours earlier in Gosford.
Not that Bentleigh's players watched it, choosing to train at the same time.
"I'm sure someone's taped it and JA (coach John Anastasiadis) will be keeping an eye on it," midfielder Luke Pilkington said.
"We've scheduled training on top of it to keep our minds on us."
Glory - who have beaten Melbourne Victory, Bentleigh's fellow Victorian grassroots club St Albans Saints and Newcastle Jets to reach the final - will look to cash in on strong A-League form to win the first edition of the cup.
But Mitch Nichols and Jamie Maclaren (international duty) will be among the many omissions as Glory coach Kenny Lowe seeks to keep his squad fresh amid the short turnaround.
Bentleigh coach and former NSL striker Anastasiadis said the quarter-final, won 2-1 over Adelaide City in extra time, had been the biggest in the club's history.
Pilkington said that left no doubt over how big the semi-final was.
"The whole club is buzzing about it," he said.
Not surprisingly, Pilkington is a signed-up member of the FFA Cup fan club.
The knockout competition, which blends professional A-League and semi-pro state level clubs and below, has won the hearts of grassroots soccer fans around the country.
The 24-year-old former Melbourne Victory player said the occasion was one to relish for fans and players.
"With the support we got two weeks ago from our home crowd, it really brings the atmosphere in and makes it special to be a part of," he said.
"We'll go out there, leave nothing on the pitch and see what comes of it."
It's a refreshing attitude that has made the FFA Cup so appealing.
Pilkington suggests the competition will hot up in future - as it's not only a chance to up-end the pros, but to win professional contracts in the main game.
"It's a great chance to get a bit of the spotlight; it's awesome for us players," Pilkington said.
"I think everyone next year will be taking this competition even more seriously."
RUB OF THE GREENS: BENTLEIGH'S RUN TO FFA CUP SEMI FINAL:
Dockerty Cup R64 - Bentleigh Greens 3 - 0 St Kilda
Dockerty Cup R32 - Bentleigh Greens 3 - 1 Moreland Zebras
Dockerty Cup R16 - Bulleen Lions 0 - 1 Bentleigh Greens
Dockerty Cup QF - Richmond 1 - 3 Bentleigh Greens
*Bentleigh Greens make the semi-finals of the Dockerty Cup, the state knockout cup, and become one of four Victorian sides to qualify for the FFA Cup.
BENTLEIGH'S FFA CUP RUN:
FFA Cup R32 - Blacktown City 0 - 1 Bentleigh Greens - Lilys Football Centre, Sydney
FFA Cup R16 - Sydney Olympic 1 - 2 Bentleigh Greens - Lambert Park, Sydney
FFA Cup QF - Bentleigh Greens 2 - 1 Adelaide City - Kingston Heath, Melbourne.
