The Chinese-backed group was named as one of the six remaining bids vying for inclusion into the national competition on Wednesday. 

While the Wollongong Wolves and Ipswich saw their hopes dashed, Macarthur South West Sydney (NSW), Western Melbourne (VIC), Team 11 (VIC), South Melbourne (VIC) and Canberra (ACT) all remain in hunt for spots.

Gardiner believes Southern, which aims to unite the Sutherland, St-George and Illawarra football communities, hold the advantage over their rivals. 

"We are going to be successful," Gardiner said.

"I can tell you on all the metrics, our bid was the best so they are going to have to explain why we don't get it.

"I am very confident."

Gardiner had no doubt who Southern’s main rival was for a spot in the A-League, but is confident they hold a winning edge. 

“Our main contender now is South West Sydney,” Gardiner said. 

“If you were asking me long-term, can there be four licences in Sydney. Absolutely there can because it is the largest football base in Australia.

“There will be population growth out [in the South West] in the next 10 years.

“Will it be able to support a licence? I think so but is it the place best to put it now compared to us? No.”

Southern’s plan to involve the Illawarra has been met with fierce opposition on social media by vocal supporters, who had favoured a stand-alone entity like the Wolves over the tri-region bid. 

Despite the opposition, Gardiner remains unwavering in his opinion that the region will jump on-board should the club be successful in their bid. 

He was in Wollongong on Thursday afternoon to meet with Wollongong City Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery AM and Football South Coast chairman Eddy de Gabriele. 

At the meeting, Bradbery joined FSC in throwing the city's full support behind Southern with the Wolves now eliminated from the expansion race. 

"My view is that this is an opportunity to back a bid to participate in the A-League in a way that gets us back in the game," Bradbery said.

"I realise there is much passion about the Wolves, and I would have loved to have seen the Wolves get across the line.

“And I know there is much concern about the future of football but this is one way in which it can be done.

"I am not saying it is the only way, but ultimately there might be stand-alone opportunities to come our way. 

“But at the present this might be a chance in which we get into the A-League path.”

The Wolves have ruled out aligning themselves with Southern Expansion and intend to push on with aspirations to gain entry as a stand-alone club.

However, there is currently no plan for further expansion of the competition, which could leave the club stranded in the National Premier League for the foreseeable future. 

The expansion news comes on the eve of the 14^th A-League campaign, which kicks-off on Friday night when Adelaide United host Sydney FC.