A broken foot cost him an FFA Cup clash with A-League heavyweights Sydney FC, but former Canberra FC midfielder Ivan Pavlak is aiming to make up for lost time with Hume City.
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The 24-year-old will make his debut in the nation-wide knockout competition when his new club hosts the Brisbane Strikers at ABD Stadium on Wednesday night.
Pavlak is in his first season with Hume City in the Victorian National Premier League after playing for Sydney United in the NSW NPL last year.
Sydney United had a dream tie in the inaugural FFA Cup when they took on the Sky Blues, but Pavlak missed the blockbuster encounter with a broken foot.
"I broke my foot four weeks before and missed out on the Sydney FC clash, which was disappointing," Pavlak said.
"I enjoyed my time with Sydney United, but it's been a good move to Hume City.
"All the players playing at state-league and NPL level are waiting for the chance to gain a bit of exposure in the FFA Cup, and it can't hurt to have a good game when you're on the national stage."
Pavlak played in the first team for Canberra FC for five or six years while also spending time at the AIS, having a stint in Vienna in Austria and in the youth side at Sydney FC.
He left Canberra FC at the end of the 2013 season after attracting interest from Sydney United after the two teams squared off in the NPL quarter-final in Sydney.
Predominantly a midfielder with Canberra FC, Pavlak has played the majority of his football for Hume City as a left winger, but will shift to left back on Wednesday night.
"We've got a few suspensions so we've got to shuffle the back four around a bit," Pavlak said. "I played mostly at left back for Sydney United so I'm pretty comfortable there."
Score updates of Hume City's match with the Strikers will be shown during the live broadcast of the game between Palm Beach Sharks and South Melbourne on Fox Sports from 7.30pm.
Canberra product George Timotheou would have been in Blacktown City's squad for their match with South Australian club Metrostars, but is in camp with the Young Socceroos.
Canberra's involvement in the FFA Cup begins next Tuesday when Gungahlin United hosts Sydney Olympic at the Gungahlin Enclosed Oval.
Kofi Danning's Oakleigh Cannons take on FNQ FC Heat on August 11.
