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FFA needs to campaign for additional ACL spots
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
17th December, 2014
15
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Does Australia's football future sit with the FFA cup? (AAP Image/Ben Macmahon)
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
17th December, 2014
15

The inaugural FFA Cup has come to a close, with Adelaide United taking home the newly minted silverware against an inform Perth Glory.

Reflecting on the FFA Cup, there are many reasons to be optimistic and positive as to the direction that the A-League and football in Australia is taking.

During the campaign we were given an insight into how clubs manage their squads and the amount of depth that A-League clubs in particular have. We also witnessed genuine fan excitement across the nation, as many local and semi-professional clubs were able to participate in a competitive environment.

The discussion has now turned, with growing support, in awarding the FFA Cup winner direct qualification into the Asian Champions League (ACL). The FFA wishes to pursue this by 2016, creating obvious incentives for all teams to seriously compete for and aim to win the FFA Cup.

The current system awards ACL qualification to the teams that win the A-League premiership and the championship, with a third possible position available via the qualifying play-off.

FFA board members feel that the FFA Cup winner should be granted direct qualification, as is the case with many other leagues worldwide where cup winners are awarded direct entry into confederation competitions.

However, unless the FFA is able to negotiate an additional position with the Asian Football Confederation, who has been so far reluctant to do so, it could mean that one of the two guaranteed spots allocated to the A-League may be given to the FFA Cup victor.

Alternatively it may result in a playoff between the FFA Cup winner and the next best ranked A-League team to decide the ACL play off qualifier entrant.

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At least the FFA and the A-League are in a strong position to plead their case. Western Sydney showed the quality and excitement that A-League clubs possess by winning the ACL and participating admirably in the Club World Cup. Ante Covic and Tony Popovic also won individual awards for their performances in the ACL.

Australia will also host the upcoming Asia Cup. These factors have been very helpful in promoting football in Australia and enhancing the A-League’s profile.

As seen in previous ACL competitions, A-League clubs have shown that they are able to compete with the financially-strong clubs of Asia. From Adelaide United reaching the final in 2008 to the Melbourne Victory upsetting Guanzhou Evergrande, our clubs have shown in a relatively short time that they have what it takes to match it with Asia’s best.

The benefits of additional ACL positions are obvious. Not only will it enhance Australia’s footballing profile, but the FFA Cup competition will have gained significant credibility as many teams will view cup fixtures as an opportunity to qualify and self-promote their clubs and players.

Can you imagine Bentleigh Greens hosting Asian giants such as Gamba Osaka? The souvlaki stand will be in overdrive, just from the travelling fans alone. Well, stranger things have happened, Auckland City are one win away from playing against the likes of Real Madrid.

It will also hopefully lead to more quality players considering a move to the A-League due to the opportunities presented in being able to participate in major competitions, playing against quality opposition.

A new avenue of qualification into the Asian Champions League will create greater excitement among fans and strengthen all community and semi-professional clubs across the nation, forming an integral part in further improving the standard of Australian Football.

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