Tuff Dogs begin the defence of their Bistro Challenge Cup title when they play BAA Wanderers in the quarter-finals at Goose Gosling Field this weekend.

Dogs, who are looking to lift the Cup for a third consecutive season, had a bye in the first round as did their opponents. Manny Faria, the president of Tuff Dogs, admitted that his side had a bull’s-eye on their backs as the defending champions.

“As two-times defending champions, I’m sure we will have a huge target on our backs,” Faria said. “This is a tournament where every team steps up their game.

“I can’t even begin to predict a winner as the league has been very tight this year.”

Looking at the potential contenders to knock his side off their perch, Faria pointed to the teams that his side are embroiled in a dogfight with for Corona league honours.

“North Village have brought in a contingent of fresh faces who have all recently played at the highest level in Bermuda,” he added.

“Robin Hood and Flanagan’s Onions are always tough opponents, while West End United and Vasco have shown so far this season that they should not be underestimated and are quite capable of going far in the competition.”

Dogs have had the better of BAA this season with a 7-0 thrashing and a 6-3 victory.

Faria, however, is adamant that those results will go out the window when it comes to the Cup.

“We beat BAA quite convincingly earlier this season, but I expect them to come prepared and be a much tougher opposition in the Cup,” Faria said. “It would be nice to win the Cup for a third consecutive year, but we also appreciate that it will be a tough task and will require a lot of work and maybe a little bit of luck.”

Village face Onions on Friday at 6.30pm, while United take on Lobster Pot in the ensuing game.

Saturday’s matches feature Dogs against BAA at 4pm, before Valley FC take on Hood.

All matches will be played at Goose Gosling Field.