Ali Efe expects a full house. Tigers FC are already accounting for 1000 of their own to be roaring from the McKellar Park stands. The Red and Black Bloc - the Western Sydney Wanderers' parochial supporter group - will do their part. As for the rest?
"Who will support who, doesn't really matter," Efe said as his Tigers prepare for an Australia Cup showdown with an A-League giant on Wednesday night.
The Tigers just want to make a city proud. Efe admits there is a huge gap between the Capital Football National Premier League's reigning champions and an A-League club. There is no sugar-coating that.
But as Efe's side chase a major Cup upset against the Wanderers at McKellar Park, he wonders: "Why not us?"
"As Tigers FC, we have already a thousand people [coming]. That's just Tigers family. The Western Sydney Wanderers supporters group are coming, and we are receiving lots of phone calls from the football community," Efe said.
"End of the day, [it will be] a beautiful football night. It's great. It will be a great football night for Canberra, and we are expecting full capacity in McKellar Park.
"We want to make Canberra proud with our performance. There is a huge level difference, I cannot ignore that. Everyone is aware, but why not us?
"I hope everyone will enjoy having an A-League club here, and hopefully, the result."
The Tigers sit third on the Capital Football National Premier League ladder as they chase back-to-back championships.
The Wanderers are looking to rebound from a disappointing A-League campaign which resulted in the club's worst finish in history.
If ever there was a time for Capital Football's Tigers to pounce, this might be it.
"Especially in the last two seasons, if you look at Australia Cup history, there was lots of upsets," Efe said.
"And there is only one game. One game, and anything can happen. If we can stay in the structure of how we prepared and what we are expecting, why not? We can hurt them, and vice versa.
"They started two and a half weeks ago for their pre-season. Chemistry, gelling, playing together is really important. They are coming from off-season. There is positives and negatives for both sides.
"But there is only one game, and there is no fear needed. You need to play how you want to play, and it has to be a smart way in this type of games."
Wednesday night marks the club's third appearance in the Australia Cup's round of 32, but their first clash with an A-League outfit in the tournament's history.
The Tigers were beaten 2-0 by Hume City in 2019, before a 2021 appearance ended in a 3-0 loss at the hands of APIA Leichhardt FC.
"Every game gives you nerves. It's normal, that's why we love football," Efe said.
"It's exciting, definitely. You can see from the players. We have three, four players experienced in this level. For the rest of the players, it is the first time they will taste this, and they will experience this. They are excited. We are all excited."
