- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Although the promotion for the opening night of round of 32 fixtures for the inaugural FFA Cup was nothing to write home about, the games themselves – all of which contained semi-pro state teams – certainly was.
In a quick rundown of the non-televised contests, Sydney Olympic won the all NSW Premier League derby over Manly United 3-1, while Olympic FC of Brisbane beat the Melbourne Knights 3-1.
It was the televised game between the Broadmeadow Magic and Brisbane Strikers that looked as though it has produced the most drama though, after the away side managed a stoppage time winner over the nine-man Magic.
That was until the dramatic penalty shootout that saw South Springvale SC move into the round of 16 via 4-3 scoreline.
The home side have been referred to on social media as “the people’s team”, due to the fact they play in Victoria’s State League One, a minnow division compared to their state league opponents.
After trailing 2-1 at halftime, a Dimitrakopoulos goal for South Springvale with just 11 minutes to go sent the game into extra time. The teams could not be split after 30 minutes of extra time and were therefore sent to the spot.
A fine save by South Springvale keeper Rani Doucher sealed his team’s progress, and set off some magic scenes, both at Warner Reserve and on social media.
Although a lot of the player and team names will be forgotten tomorrow, the magic of the night certainly will not.
Overall we saw a feast of goals, red cards, missed penalties, extra time, penalty shootouts, a David versus Goliath battle, and most importantly, some relatively big crowds.
Although the A-League clubs are still a week away, the romance of the FFA Cup has well and truly taken fans by storm.
Thanks to brilliant coverage from Fox Sports, who showed all goals from all games as well as the complete Magic versus Strikers, then the aforementioned penalty shootout, fans were able to keep up with all games.
It is highly likely that A-League clubs will be watching for stand out performers at the semi-pro level as they look to fill their squads for the upcoming season.
Of course the true romance and magic of these knockout competitions comes when minnows take it to, and occasionally beat, the more fancied teams.
Next week we will see two all A-League clashes, so we will have to wait until the 12th to see the A-League Wanderers travel to state league Adelaide City.
Last night’s results, headlined by the amazing shootout win by massive underdogs South Springvale probably won’t mean too much in six months’ time, however for last night, the emotions and magic of the Cup was well and truly alive.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.