On the same night, the team that gave Archibald his A-League start, Melbourne City, are in action against Western Sydney Wanderers, but the young defender won't be concerned about their fate.

As a warm-up for a game against a big A-League team goes, that extraordinary win over Bentleigh will have certainly done wonders for Avondale's self belief.

''Wow, what an amazing game that was ... it just goes to show you, nothing can be taken for granted in football,'' said Archibald of his team's unlikely NPL semi-final triumph.

''It would be massive for the club and all of us as individuals to go on from that and win against Sydney and make the semi finals. It shows you should never leave a game early!"

So what sort of chance might they be?

''There's obviously a difference because they are full time professionals, but I think the gap is closer now than it was two or three years ago. And in the early stages of their pre-season we always have a chance in FFA Cup games against them becaue they are not fully fit and we are match sharp.

''I think our front five is as good as any in the NPL around the country. Elvis Kambosa, Joey Katabian, Stefan Zinni, Liam Boland, Kane Sheppard are all good players and dangerous, so if we keep it tight at the back we might be a chance.''

A strong showing would, of course, do no harm to the chances of ambitious young Avondale players' hopes of getting into the A-League or making a return to the main stage.

Katabian had time with Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar, while Zinni was with Archibald at Melbourne City and Sheppard has been trialling with Newcastle Jets.

Archibald has played against Sydney before - he was part of the City side that took on the Sky Blues in David Villa's first game for City - and he is relishing the opportunity to renew acquaintance as he rebuilds his career following injury sustained while playing in Germany.

''I played at Melbourne City in the A-League. I was at Brisbane Roar as a junior before coming down to join City.

''Then I transferred to Fortuna Dusseldorf in Germany, but I tore a patella tendon in my knee in a pre-season training camp in South Korea, I was out for eight months. I had a two-year contract, but I was out for so long I got forgotten about, and it became too hard to get back there.

''I came back to Australia to do my rehab with my knee and I went to Bentleigh Greens when I recovered. We had a couple of great seasons, we won a premiership and a grand final and we had a couple of really good Cup runs.

''I moved to Avondale because they were an up-and-coming club.

"I still have ambition to play in the A-League and like to think I could measure up.

"But I am also realistic. I am finishing off the last year of a law degree. I work part time in a cafe. Last year a Vietnamese club paid for me to come out, but nothing came of it.''