Canberra Olympic go into their FFA Cup round of 16 match against Queensland's Redlands United with the chance to become the first local team to advance to the quarter-finals, but the match also provides a platform for players to be noticed.
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For competitions such as the Canberra National Premier League, opportunities to impress elite and interstate coaches can be few and far between.
Olympic coach Frank Cachia said there were a number of players who could push for further honours, including Jeremy Habtemariam, the Bobolas brothers Tim and Nicholas, and striker Philipe Bernabo-Madrid, who has been labelled a "goal-scoring king" on the FFA Cup website.
Cachia was emphatic that Canberra's Daniel Colbertaldo has the brightest future.
"There are a couple of other boys that I think would probably harvest some ambition", he said. "I think [Colbertaldo] could definitely go and play at a higher level, he would be definitely one I would say."
Colbertaldo, 22, said he would be "silly" not to take an offer if it were presented to him, which he said is part of the romance of the FFA Cup.
"I don't think anyone would turn it down, we play the sport because we like it and if you're fortunate enough to make something out of it then you would be silly to turn it down.
"It's a great tournament, it really is good for teams like ours to compete against other state league teams. And if you're lucky enough to play against an A-League team it really is a great opportunity for the players and for the club's exposure."
Cachia said Capital Football clubs have struggled to retain players in recent years with many heading to Melbourne and Sydney.
"I think it's probably more of a product of Canberra not having the competition or not having a team in a higher-placed competition.
"If Canberra had a team in the NSW Premier League or if Canberra had a national youth league side, or an A-League side, then you might not have these guys going to Melbourne or Sydney looking for opportunities in state leagues.
"They're probably more likely to stick around and see what they can do here."
Cachia said a regional league incorporating Canberra, the Riverina as well as Wollongong and the south coast with a promotion and relegation process could lift the profile for local clubs.
But first and foremost, Olympic are focusing on their clash with Redlands United.
The visitors come to Canberra as giant-killers for their victory in the round of 32 against A-League champions Adelaide United, but Cachia said they will know as much about Olympic as the home side do about the visitors.
"I wouldn't underestimate how much research they've done on us, they're obviously a pretty professional outfit, but they have been more widely publicised than we have.
"A team like this who have just made the top four in Brisbane and just beaten Adelaide United, they will anticipate they will keep more possession than if they're playing an A-League side."
Olympic have won 10 successive matches and are confident of being the first Canberra team to advance to the quarter-finals of the national cup.
FFA Cup Round of 16
Canberra Olympic v Redlands United
Wednesday, Deakin Stadium, 7.30pm
