No, I’m not over it yet either. The 2014 FIFA World Cup was a magnificent month for football fans. The Brazil edition was certainly one of the best ever.
Then it is an amazing microcosm of the world game that local fans have got something entirely new to feast on starting from next Tuesday, when the inaugural FFA Cup kicks off.
It’s been a long time in the making. As the A-League gets set to enter its 10th season, finally the bridge between the grassroots and the elite has been erected, as well as the symbolic coming together of what many have termed “old soccer” and “new football.”
Fans of a certain vintage were brought up on the English FA Cup, the final of which for a long time was the only live game broadcast in Australia from overseas. The ritual of staying up past midnight to watch the David versus Goliath battles at Wembley Stadium were hard-wired into my formative years.
Sunderland versus Leeds United, Southampton versus Manchester United, Coventry City versus Tottenham all provided classic memories of big clubs falling to less illustrious opposition.
Now we’ve got our own version to look forward to. It is almost unique in Australian sport for community and grassroots clubs to have the chance of testing themselves against the cream of the crop. To the best of my knowledge, no other team sport has a tournament of this nature.
The eyes of the football community will be turned towards Newcastle from Tuesday when Broadmeadow Magic, from the Northern NSW Football Federation clash with former NSL champions the Brisbane Strikers. Closely associated with the Magic is former Newcastle NSL player Robert Virgili, whose son James is a member of the current Jets squad.
On the same night, two other former NSL champions, Melbourne Knights and Sydney Olympic, get re-acquainted with the spotlight. Olympic travel to the northern beaches to face Manly United, the club that produced current Central Coast Mariners coach Phil Moss.
The Knights travel up to Brisbane for their clash with QPL side Olympic FC.
Over the course of the Round of 32, six more former NSL clubs will be aiming for a place in the last 16. Parramatta FC, Blacktown City, Sydney United 58 FC, Adelaide City, Hakoah Sydney City East and South Coast Wolves all made the Cup’s last 32 from their respective State competitions.
There are hundreds of stories to be told about these clubs. Sydney United was a veritable production line of Socceroos stars during the National Soccer League. One of the stands at their Edensor Park home was paid for by the proceeds of goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac’s transfer to Leicester City. Coach Mark Rudan played in the first ever A-League grand final.
South Coast, as Wollongong Wolves, won the most thrilling top-level grand final in Australian club football history – possibly even better than that Roar versus Mariners game. In 2000, the Wolves came from 3-0 down at half time to draw 3-3 with Perth Glory and then win a penalty shootout 7-6 to claim the club’s first NSL title.
Hakoah, as Sydney City, were the powerhouse of the NSL in the early 1980s. They were the last club to win three successive national titles. Now competing in the third tier of NSW State League football, they welcome Queensland’s Palm Beach FC to their home ground in Pagewood, with some familiar names in charge.
Mark Robertson is the head coach, his father Alex is his assistant, and Alex played in the three Sydney City successes in the 1980s.
But for the real flavour of the Cup – the real essence of the giants against the minnows – all eyes will drift west. Stirling Lions will host the reigning A-League champions the Brisbane Roar on August the 19th.
The next night, their Western Australian State League compatriots Bayswater City play Melbourne Victory. The west could not have asked for a wilder draw. Former Perth Glory defender Chris Coyne will be hoping to plot the downfall of Kevin Muscat’s Victory in the last match of the round of 32.
The standard might not approach that seen at the Maracana in football’s most recent “Cup” but the passion and raw commitment will be there. And the skill level might surprise as there is talent lurking at every tier, just waiting for the chance to showcase their wares in front of a wider audience.
Gordo
Guest
Unfortunately many won't realise the significance of Tuesday night, even within football circles. But the FFA Cup will become one of the biggest prizes in Australian sport in time. Awesome competition!
apaway
Roar Guru
Yes, I did, Johnno.
Johnno
Guest
apaway did you used to be coach of Hakoah 1sts? Wow cool, man.
apaway
Roar Guru
Thanks Mo. I'd like to see the game (used to coach the team) but present coaching commitments will prevent me from being there. But I'll catch the highlights on Fox!
Scott
Roar Pro
Something to keep an eye on not only this year but in future years, will be "ringers" This could give retired players the opportunity to wait until after a team has qualified for the FFA Cup , then play for them. I see this as a positive actually. They bring experience into the dressing rooms as well as being role models for the younger players.... Hopefully. Just this week Strikers have signed goalkeeper Michael Turnbull http://www.brisbanestrikers.com.au/?p=5373 While Far North Queensland Heat FC have signed Zenon Caravella http://www.theffacup.com.au/article/caravella-signature-a-huge-coup-for-fnq-heat/tfedbd03b0v516sfe4roafx0f Fingers crossed Viduka makes a cameo in Yeronga.
Scott
Roar Pro
Olympic FC V Knights Preview http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r1nm5hf7TNA
Scott
Roar Pro
Nice preview of the South Springvale game http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lngZndJZz98
Scott
Roar Pro
I am from Brisbane and have never really like Gold Coast teams. However, this tournament feels different. Especially with interstate (NSW) opponents. Next year hopefully Sunshine Coast can give Gold Coast a better match. Most Queenslanders will be backing all Queensland teams. Unlike Victoria and NSW I imagine. But hopefully Tasmania, WA, SA and ACT are the same. I want Qld teams to only lose to A-League teams or each other. This hopefully will mean a great turn out for the Olympic FC game. As football fans will attend, not just locals or "Greeks".
Scott
Guest
To Hakoah's advantage there are Qld NPL highlights from each round. I've watched the last 3 for Palm Beach. Looks like the keeper likes coming off his line often. Has almost been caught out on more than a few occasions. I'd keep the lobs in mind.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
No it's good at Eastgardens - you can have a 400 metre race around the athletics track at halftime
Johnno
Guest
70's Mo im tempted to rock up, I think I'll go. Catch the 400, and your there. Hakoah will be ready to play, it could get a full house. Maybe Hakoah should move there game to Allianz, as all of Hakoah fans are in the area, and many Sydney FC fans are Hakoah fans anyway.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Apaway & Johnno will you be at the Hakoah game? I'll try to get there with my brother (60s Beard) and a mate or two. PS this is the best summary/preview on the round of 32 I've read!
apaway
Roar Guru
Ah, see what's happening here? The interest is deepening! Yes Johnno, Hakoah now play out of Helmsley Athletic Field at Pagewood. Thanks Scott for the insight into Palm Beach - the unknown factor is a big one in these rounds as coaches scramble to try and find some "intel" on interstate opponents. As for possible round of 16 dream matches? Well, Bayswater vs Perth Glory? Manly vs Central Coast? Brisbane Roar vs Brisbane Strikers? Broadmeadow vs Newcastle Jets? Parramatta FC vs Western Sydney? Sydney Olympic vs Sydney FC? Adelaide City vs Adelaide United? The possibilities are mouth-watering...
Midfielder
Guest
Strikers V Roar ... come on Strikers...
Rellum
Roar Guru
Come the Strikers. That is all I have to say.
Midfielder
Guest
Bobdy I remember that game and the 3 Nil at half time... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoiSP7juwP8
Midfielder
Guest
Apaway What a great read and thanks for all the history ... I do wonder aloud if one of the old NSL clubs can sorta demand to be considered as a team to be considered when the A-League expands... Those clubs in Southern Sydney, South Western Sydney and the Gong ... Say a team draws 7 to 10 K to there matches .... Two dream match ups for me would be WSW V Sydney United and Olympic V SFC... Can hardly wait ...
Bondy
Guest
Nice read Apaway . We've got the South Coast Wolves FC in our first round tie, I remember the Perth Glory vs Wollongong Wolves Grand Final , "yes those were the days" . Will the FFA Cup become a bigger spectacle over the A League proper in years to come ? ..
Scott
Guest
Not sure they will progress. Playing NPL Qld top of the table team Sharks. 1 Palm Beach Sharks 17 14 2 1 63 12 +51 44 Hakoah got knocked out of the NSW cup , then luckily drew Northern Tigers, who they beat and the team that also lost their 3rd chance to Parramatta. Unlike the NSW NPL (Sydney NPL) the QLD NPL is a state league. So besides traveling to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Toowoomba, they play matches in Cairns and Townsville. They travel to play matches. Traveling to Sydney is half the time then traveling up north. Go to the game and take notice of the big number 10 Jarrod Kyle. He'll be the one scoring all the goals. Go Queensland.
Johnno
Guest
Go Hakoah. Lowy's happy. Amazed a team like Hakoah from the 3rd Tier in NSW state league can make the last 32. Im not even Jewish but i'm going for Hakoah. Suppose there my local team in east Sydney, no other teams out here. I thought they play at wentworth park, but seems they play next door to Lowy's westfield pagewood, at there home ground in Pagewood. Hakoah could make the last 16, good luck Hakoah. There used to be a Hakoah social club at Bondi Beach, it closed down around 5 years ago. Hakoah are topping the 3rd-Tier they might get promoted next season as NSW the state league has promo/relegation. The winner of the division gets promoted.