It's a long cry from Tiger FC's humble origins in Cooma in 1952 - to field a side for workers of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme - yet the side has the chance to go all the way to the AFC Champions League.
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But first they will have to overcome Sydney NPL team APIA Leichhardt in the FFA Cup's round of 32.
The side drew APIA on Thursday night, narrowly missing out on facing one of the A-League sides in their pool, and if they win the Cup, they will be off to the Champions League.
One advantage the Tigers will have behind them against APIA is a home ground advantage, although it will not be in Cooma. It's set to take place at Deakin Stadium in early August but Football Australia are yet to confirm a date.
Tigers' captain Nathan Megic said the side were excited at the prospect of getting to test their skills against a Sydney powerhouse like APIA.
"It's kind of what we dream of playing in these NPL leagues. It's good to showcase what we have here in Canberra," he said.
"The unknown was always just a little bit nerve wracking but we watched the draw last night, everyone was pumped, and training has already lifted, [so we're] ready, excited to have this game here.
"We started off in Cooma and now we're on the national stage, so a good story to tell the grandchildren."
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The Tigers won their first premiership in 2014 and went close to reaching their first FFA Cup round of 32 back in 2016 after losing the regional final to Canberra Olympic FC.
The side beat Monaro Panthers 5-2 in the regional final to reach the knockout stages of the Cup for the first time and are looking to go all the way to Asia.
They have added more depth to the squad ahead of the APIA fixture, with former United State's NCAA Division I goalkeeper Dean Cowdroy and former Sydney NPL player Daniel Fabrizio going to the fold.
Cooma's coach Ryan Grogan said before learning of their rivals, the side were confident whoever they drew, they would take it to them.
"Last night [Thursday] was more about getting it out of the way and figuring out who we've got and over the next few weeks I will be focusing on putting together a plan to take them down," he said.
"We got caught short not too long ago, with a few different bits and pieces with injuries. So adding the boys [has] made sure that if we do put ourselves in a situation where we've got a couple of injuries, we're still strong all across the park."
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
