The day is nigh. Another chapter is being written in the increasingly busy book of Australian football.
Much of the hype surrounding the FFA Cup has been built on the success of the FA Cup in England, but we’ve a vastly different product down here.
22 non-professional teams will be vying for their share of the limelight, with the potential of claiming an A-League scalp providing plenty of drive.
Credit where it’s due, the Cup kicks off tonight on solid foundations. Coverage in the build-up and the live broadcast of Broadmeadow Magic versus Brisbane Strikers ensures there will be plenty of eyes on the tournament’s debut fixtures.
While today will obviously go down as an historic moment, the FFA Cup carries greater significance than a platform for upsets and a handy addition to the trophy cabinet. It’s another step towards the ultimate goal of having a national second tier competition.
The implementation of the National Premier Leagues has provided a good base and the two teams that contested the inaugural NPL final in 2013 – Sydney United 58 and South Hobart – will be on stage in the round of 32.
For all NPL and state teams, this is an opportunity to prove the depth of and demand for football across the country.
Those perhaps with more motivation to succeed are the NSL alumni now kicking it in various state competitions. The likes of Sydney Olympic, Strikers, Melbourne Knights and Adelaide City return to the national stage once more.
There is at least a hidden ambition in all former NSL clubs to reclaim their professional status and they’ll be handed a brief audition to continue knocking on the door.
The FFA Cup’s success will not prompt instant growth to the levels required, but it’s an important rung in the ladder.
Of course, there are elements of the Cup more focused on the here and now.
“Fairytale” will become football’s greatest cliche over the next few months, and with good reason too. There are plenty of headlines in waiting across the round of 32 fixtures, not least those from the lower leagues of state football. Victorian State League One side South Springvale, a self-confessed “pub team”, enter as the lowest-ranked team, alongside NSW State League One’s Hakoah Sydney City.
Throw in Victorian NPL 1 side St Albans Saints against NSW NPL 2 outfit Parramatta FC and you’ve got some juicy one-liners in waiting.
Only four A-League teams were handed the “reward” of playing non-A-League competition, but it won’t be considered an easy ride.
Melbourne Victory have perhaps the most difficult task when they travel to NPL Western Australia premiers-elect Bayswater City, who cruised to a 5-0 win over Subiaco over the weekend in front of Victory assistant coach Jean-Paul de Marigny.
With A-League teams still in the middle of their pre-season campaigns and NPL teams in peak form as their seasons reach a climax, these clashes are just fairytales waiting to happen.
The FFA Cup looks to have an ideal mix of instant excitement and future rewards, as the football bandwagon continues to roll on.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Definitely. You always get some major upsets in the FA Cup and as pointed out in the story, the non-A-League sides have an extra advantage in Australia that those lower tier sides in England don't have, and that's the fact they play different seasons and are playing these matches when they are battle-hardened towards the end of their seasons, while coming up against A-League teams still in pre-season, still trying to gel and work on things, and many of whom are still out in the transfer market trying to find a few missing pieces for the season ahead. You'll find that a lot of the Marquee players for the season ahead won't be around for these fixtures too. So the lower ranked teams will likely be coming up against A-League teams that may be packed with a lot more of the youngsters who may well only be fringe players by the time the A-League season actually starts.
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
Yeah fantastic. I'm intrigued by these other State league clubs I know little about and the FFA Cup will serve to broaden knowledge of the State league game Australia wide. I'll certainly get along to the two games in WA.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The excitement of the FFA Cup is palpable and, I reckon, this is all due to the presence of the NPL & State-based teams. How can you not get caught up in the romance of this Tweet & photo from South Cardiff FC, who are on their way to Springvale South. @SouthCardiffFc "Final part of a 1,063 km journey Boarding the coach in Melbourne on the way to team hotel" https://twitter.com/SouthCardiffFc/status/493965395083026436/photo/1
Midfielder
Guest
+ 1
nordster
Guest
The accessibility of an unlevel playing field truly is a landmark day for Australian football. If only the league could embrace this concept, but alas that would be "unfair"... ;)
Griffo
Roar Guru
Agree with that Justin.
Justin Mahon
Guest
What a day. I almost can't believe it. I am excited for the member federation clubs of course, but ultimately I am just excited for our game and all it's devotees who have only the game at the centre of their motivations. Well done FFA, well done to the sponsors and congratulations football!!!!!
RBBAnonymous
Guest
You should also expect some upsets as well. Some of these NPL players are not bad at all and there are quite a few who have A-league experience. A great chance to get noticed as I believe the majority of A-league clubs are lacking in their scouting and recruitment of players in the lower tiers.
Bondy
Guest
What the FFA Cup should also do is make these lower tier leagues more competitive more hungrier to one day win the FFA Cup and also connect these grassroots clubs and participants to professional A League football which is one of the primary aims to the competition. People should also expect some thrashings like Bayswater City did to Subiaco 5-0, some of these A League clubs should destroy some of these non professional teams . Football in Australia is now becoming an 11 month a year sport. Its another landmark moment for Australian Football.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
You know the competition is "real" when you see an article about the FFA Cup explained & reviewed on the world's foremost football website: Fifa.com; and the message Tweeted to Fifa's 4 million followers. "Cup marks another milestone Down Under" Full story: http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/240/850/0/index.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news
fadida
Guest
Certainly a great day in Australian football
fadida
Guest
Certainly a great day in Australian football