Callies, Denmark begin their cup defence

The Great Southern Soccer Association knockout cup competitions start this weekend as Caledonians and Denmark prepare to defend their respective silverware.

Caledonians will enter the cup stage of the season having won both the Federation Cup and the men’s reserves cup last season.

Denmark are in the same boat, with their all-conquering women’s premier outfit chasing a fourth cup title in five years and their women’s reserves also currently holding the cup.

The women’s premier cup begins tomorrow night, as Denmark chase their third straight title.

Polonia and Royals received direct entry through to the semifinals, while the draw has Denmark facing Phoenix in the first round and Port Albany up against Caledonians.

In a tough side of the draw Polonia will face Denmark should they progress tomorrow while Royals will clash with the winner of Port Albany and Caledonians.

In the women’s reserves cup, reigning champions Denmark gained direct progress to the semifinals along with Polonia.

Phoenix face Mt Barker in the first round tomorrow and Port Albany tackle Rovers for a semifinal berth in the other fixture.

The women’s social cup begins next Friday.

Caledonians won the Federation Cup last season, beating Phoenix 1-0 in a long-awaited rematch of the final.

The lights went out in the initial final, which was abandoned and there was some time before a replayed could be arranged.

The Federation Cup begins on September 14 as well with Caledonians facing this year’s league champions Polonia for a place in the final.

Phoenix will meet Rovers in the other semifinal.

In the first round of the men’s reserves cup this Saturday, Polonia and Caledonians will face off and the winner progressing to the semis to meet Royals while Phoenix and Albany-Bayswater clash in the other side of the draw. Four first round games will be played in the men’s social/vets cup competition starting next Tuesday night.