Roar won't take FFA Cup minnows lightly

By the time Brisbane Roar head to Perth for their inaugural FFA Cup tie against Stirling Lions, there will be very little the A-League champions don't know about their West Australian opponents.

Roar coach Mike Mulvey has already been sent pictures of the Lions Macedonia Park home ground and will have a member of his staff watching the club in action this weekend.

It's all part of Mulvey's desire not to become the first big-name casualty of the new-look knock-out cup competition.

"We'll give them as much credit as we will any A-League club we face," Mulvey said.

"We'll do our best research on them and make sure we're not going to face the banana skin that could potentially happen in the FFA Cup."

The Roar's Perth tie was confirmed for August 19 on Monday as the FFA finalised the venues and dates for the round of 32.

The round will kick off on July 29 with a televised Tuesday night match between Northern NSW National Premier League (NPL) team Broadmeadow Magic against former NSL champions Brisbane Strikers at Magic Park in Newcastle.

Manly United's derby with Sydney Olympic, Victorian club South Springvale against NSW-based South Cardiff and two-time NSL champion Melbourne Knights playing Queensland's Olympic FC will be the other July 29 clashes.

A pair of all A-League clashes - Newcastle Jets against Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix taking on Adelaide United - headline the second matchday on Tuesday, August 5.

The Phoenix's game will be held Marden Sports Complex in Adelaide with FFA Cup matches not allowed to be played outside Australia under competition regulations.

The glamour tie between Melbourne City and Sydney FC will be held on August 12 although a venue is yet to be confirmed.

Western Sydney Wanderers tie with Adelaide City is also yet to find a venue but will also be played on August 12.

Another Perth club, Bayswater City, will host the Melbourne Victory the day after the Roar's game at a yet-to-be finalised venue.