sport, local-sport

BALLARAT looms as a frontrunner to host a Football Federation Australia Cup clash between A-league giants Melbourne City and Sydney FC. Morshead Park is believed to be under consideration as the venue for the round of 32 encounter which is fixtured on August 12. Ballarat Red Devils chairman Duncan Smith told The Courier on Friday that the club was "optimistic" about the chances of two teams coming to Ballarat. "If this match does happen, and we've (the Ballarat Red Devils) had conversations with Melbourne City and the Ballarat City Council about the very real possibility of it coming to Ballarat, then it's massive," Smith said. "We've also had some dialogue with FFA about whether the stadium is available. "If it does come off then it will be the biggest game ever played in Victoria at a regional level," he said. The Westfield FFA Cup is in its inaugural season and was formally launched on February 24. Initially featuring 631 teams, it is Australia's main knockout tournament. Melbourne City already has strong ties with Ballarat and National Premier League club Ballarat Red Devils. The two parties squared off in a friendly under lights at Morshead Park on June 25. Melbourne City was not prepared to elaborate on the specifics of the proposed match, while Sydney FC officials declined to comment. City's team roster features the likes of international superstars Damien Duff, Frank Lampard and David Villa. Meanwhile, Sydney is currently coached by former Australian coach Graham Arnold. "To potentially have those three blokes potentially playing in Ballarat is something that nobody in Australia could have dreamt of," Smith said. "It's huge."

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