Football Federation Australia is missing out on a golden opportunity to expand the game in this country by not establishing a national Cup competition.
The benefits of introducing a national cup competition outweigh the negatives.
Every football fan dreams of their team winning on Cup-day.
The excitement that both the fans and players get in the do-or-die nature of cup football is something that is unparalleled.
Australians love an underdog and the Cup would give every rough and tumble, half-cast bitser an opportunity to match it with the sleek and polished, well-manicured pedigrees that are the A-League clubs.
We’ve all seen the stories of fourth division English sides that are made up of miners, butchers and carpenters, find some kind of superhuman ability and beat the more fancied opponents, such as Barnsley’s magic run in the 2007-08 FA Cup, where they knocked off Liverpool and Chelsea on their way to the semi-finals.
That is why the FFA should introduce a national Cup competition; call it the FFA cup to be cheeky.
Not only would it provide A-League clubs, not in the running for the finals, an opportunity to claim some silverware, and purpose for the season, it would help to unearth many of the hidden gems that are lost in Australia’s respective state league clubs.
Think of what can happen when someone is given an opportunity.
Luke Wilkshire was an unknown when Guus Hiddink plucked him from third-tier obscurity in England and put him in the Socceroos World Cup starting squad.
Five years on, and he is arguably Australia’s most consistent performer and first name on the team sheet alongside captain Lucas Neill.
I’m sure that there are many young players that would relish the opportunity and exposure associated with taking on an A- League club.
It would also provide an opportunity for A-League clubs to give fringe players and young squad members competitive match-time to keep fit.
Often players on the first team periphery, stand up and are counted when they play in Cup games, and give their coaches something to think about. It could also present coaches with an opportunity to experiment with team tactics and formations.
The establishment of a Cup competition could also provide the A-League with a fantastic opportunity to spread the brand into regional heartlands, where the people live, breathe and talk football.
Australians love a knockout competition and it could also solve FFA’s problem of falling crowds and television ratings, as a new entertaining cut-throat competition could draw in many new fans and sponsors to the game.
Northern NSW has seen the effects of what a Cup competition can do.
The ‘Solo Cup’, introduced last year, was a huge success and gave many regional clubs the opportunity to match it against Northern NSW’s finest.
Already in season two, the Cup saw defending champions Valentine Phoenix knocked out by fourth division Newcastle University in the first round.
Cup competitions evoke many feelings of nostalgia that are associated with many of the David versus Goliath battles that are bound to occur.
It may also provide players with an opportunity to face their junior clubs. Imagine Jason Culina strapping up against Sydney United, the club he made his name for, or Brett Emerton playing against Sydney Olympic.
Wouldn’t we all love to see that?
Either way, a Cup competition will be loved and is a recipe for success. Ask the English.
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