Corona League teams are hoping to pull off some upsets when the FA Cup first round matches start on Friday.

FC Rhino, Island Bulls, Inter BDA and Young Gunz Sound are the sides from the Corona League still remaining in the premier knockout competition, with Bulls making it through to this stage after Hamilton Parish’s withdrawal from the FA Cup.

As they prepare to face Devonshire Cougars at Devonshire Rec on Friday night (8pm), Jordan Hill, the Bulls president, expressed excitement about the team’s maiden appearance in the competition.

“It’s our first FA Cup as a club,” Hill told The Royal Gazette.

“We are excited to compete versus a quality opponent. We know that it will be a challenge playing them, especially at their home ground.

“We have had a tough start to our season, but have shown improvement over the past few matches and we are optimistic about the second half of our season.

“Football is played on the day and anything can happen, especially in a cup game. We have experienced players who know what it takes to come away with a victory and we will be leaning on their experience.”

After coming from behind to overcome Somerset Eagles 3-2 in the preliminary round, Inter BDA coach Stalin Naranjo is targeting a defeat of X-Roads at Police Field on Sunday (noon).

“We’re going to try our best to have fun and progress to the next round,” Naranjo said.

“Last year we reached the first round, played against St George’s Colts and lost. But we learnt a lesson too because that was the first time we played on regular grass as we usually play at BAA on artificial turf.

“X-Roads have younger players and most of our guys are old. Everyone is ready for that game, but we’re going to try to give our best to try to make it to the next round.

“We have players from all over the world. We have North Americans, South Americans, Europeans, Asians, Africans and Bermudians.

“Our players are all excited. They know it’s a Premier Division team, but I think we all put in our mind that we can do this, it’s 11 against 11 in the field and we’re going to go for the win.”

Kovin Moodley, the Bermuda hockey coach, is a key member of Narajo’s team on the left side of the midfield.

“The beauty of the FA Cup is that it allows teams from lower leagues to compete,” Moodley said.

“Inter BDA are coming off a great result in the previous match and hoping to build on that with another win against X-Roads. We have quality players that may surprise a few people, so we are looking forward to showing that on Sunday.”

FC Rhino captain Zahn Richardson is relishing playing against St George’s Colts at White Hill Field on Sunday (noon).

“Last year we got the chance to play in the preliminary round against St David’s and didn’t quite get the result to get through to the first round,” Richardson said.

“This year we’ve won and we’re through to the first round, so everyone’s looking forward to playing on Sunday.

“We know St George’s are a better team. They’re in the Premier Division but it’s no secret that this year they haven’t been performing as well as they would like.

“Everyone’s looking forward to the opportunity of potentially getting a result up at White Hill Field to put our names in the hat for the next round.”

After stunning St David’s 3-2 at Lord’s in October, YGS captain Kyle McGhee is now taking aim at Devonshire Colts when the two teams clash at Police Field on Sunday (2pm).

“We’re looking forward to the game this weekend,” he said.

“We want to build on the previous win and keep that momentum going into another strong performance and a good result.”