The FFA Cup has created a universal love-in among football fans – casual and hardcore – that has exceeded Football Federation Australia’s wildest expectations.
Throughout the round of 32, the crowds have been great, Adam Peacock slopped cevapi down his Fox Sports jacket, Mark Bosnich had a ride in a fire truck, and grassroots clubs have had at least 90 minutes of fame – six times more than Andy Warhol ever imagined.
The crowd of 5000 at Leichhardt Oval for the Balmain Tigers vs Melbourne Victory game was a community endorsement of the competition like no other.
On a freezing night in Sydney, a club that usually can greet their fans by individual name made a magnificent fist of the opportunity the Cup gave them. The Tigers did end up on the wrong side of a predictable scoreline but the result was secondary to the event.
However, a future result, somewhere, sometime, needs to matter. What the competition could really do with soon is a giant-killing act, akin to those we see replayed year after year in FA Cup highlights.
You know the ones; Hereford United’s elimination of Newcastle United. Cambridge United’s vanquishing of then-champions Leeds United. Wrexham’s famous win over Arsenal. Then-third division Bournemouth’s win over Manchester United. All those results happened 20, 30 and 40 years ago, but they are recalled instantly whenever cup upsets are mentioned.
You don’t have to go back that far though. Only last season Bradford City caused an extraordinary shock when they did what no Premier League team can – beat a Jose Mourinho-coached Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Can it happen here? Edgeworth Eagles came very close this week against Melbourne City. And last year Adelaide City eliminated Western Sydney Wanderers in the round of 32 in the inaugural FFA Cup. However, that is the only time an A-League side has fallen to non-A-League opponents, and Adelaide City’s pedigree and history is such that it probably wasn’t treated with the shock that it might have been.
Even close calls would be favourable to giant scorelines, which is not to denigrate the efforts of clubs like Balmain and Darwin Olympic. There is a gulf in standard between the full-time A-League clubs and the part-timers from the various State Leagues which is in part due to that very fact. The firefighters, plumbers, lawyers and council workers that make up grassroots clubs simply can’t commit the time.
21 years ago, the NSW Waratah Cup, in an unprecedented move, included the National Soccer League clubs in the final rounds of its competition. This gave rise to matches between minnows and giants in a round of 16. The biggest club in the country at the time, Marconi, drew State League 1 side North Ryde. Sydney’s other powerhouse, Sydney Olympic, faced the third tier Southern Minotaurs.
On an almost-famous Friday night in September at Marconi Stadium, North Ryde (who still ply their trade in the Gladesville-Hornsby competition), led the Stallions 2-0 with 10 minutes to go. It was to be an upset of monumental proportions. A late Marconi goal to Andy Harper brought the 1993 National League champions back into the game. An inexplicable 13 minutes of injury time saw the Stallions steal the result with two late goals. Notably, Marconi drew State League opposition in the quarter finals, and were beaten by Warringah Dolphins.
Across town, the Southern Minotaurs took Sydney Olympic to extra time, having drawn 2-2 in regulation, but were finally beaten 5-2.
On that night, two clubs seized the moment and gave their all against two of the biggest clubs in the land.
The football landscape has shifted dramatically since the mid-nineties. But the seeds of cup football drama were sown. We love the FFA Cup now but we’re going to adore it when a group of part-timers go all David on an A-League Goliath.
Natasha
Guest
nice that you're interested in ALL sports Andrew Prentice Except Friendship and Love! You portray yourself such a guru, so sensitive and all. Never allowing anyone into your real world!!!
cm
Guest
Being beaten was an absolutely acceptable payment for winning the ACL ;)
Waz
Guest
Ha Ha - that is the other side of the coin of course; nobody wants to get beaten (and if it were ever accepted as being "okay" it would mean the FFA Cup has been relegated to the status of a pre-season comp)
Waz
Guest
Johhno, in what way? That's a big statement but without any substance!! Personally, at this point in the early stages of its life (remember this time last year when many people were still trying to figure out this FFA Cup thing!?!) the only change I would recommend if asked, would be to bring all the A League teams in a round earlier and have all ten play away from home v lower league opposition before the dynamics of the R32 draw take place with mandatory HAL v HAL games. So where do you see the flaws and how would you suggest changing it?
Luke Gaskett
Roar Rookie
It's a nice thought however reality is that it could take decades until such a thing occurs, no doubt it's the dream scenario (if it's not happening to your a-league club) but the realist in me says that no one in a-league wants to be the next WSW let alone ne part of something even more embarrassing. But you never know.
Johnno
Guest
There's been some good signs, but the FFA has some problems and needs to do a review of the format. It has failed to find the right formula yet.
Waz
Guest
I think to focus on the giantkling is to largely miss the point of knockout cup football; it is not about the giant killing itself it is about he opportunity for a giant killing. And more importantly cup football is about the actual footballers playing in the one-off game, they have a chance to dream - that's all that is required. nothing more, just the dream.
Lionheart
Guest
I'd like to see more of these games on TV, rather than just the one. Viewer's choice maybe, on two channels. Some of the commentators too, are just there to talk up their home town team. TV commentary on football has a long way to go, and coverage outside Fox (TV news, radio, paper etc). It's really an amateur hour when you stand back and survey the whole scene, but it's a start. Hopefully it keeps improving year after year, bigger crowds, better commentary and coverage, more competitive non-HAL teams. We're on the right track, but no cause to get carried away just yet.
Jeff Williamson
Roar Pro
The giant killers are out there. I have seen a few NPL teams that have the potential to shock some A-league teams. The problem for the NPL clubs is consistency. They do not produce their top form every week. But in a cup competition, those giant killing moments will happen.
apaway
Roar Guru
I agree Nordster, it's a really big ask. But the FFA Cup has also proved that great talent exists in State Leagues around the country, not just NSW and Victoria, as had been presumed for too long. Lions FC and MetroStars looked particularly impressive last week.
bryan
Guest
Watching Olympic vs Adelaide a couple days ago, what really stuck out was the difference in fitness and 50-50 balls wins. Olypmic started really brightly, and if luck had of really favoured them, probably could have been 3-1 up at 30mins, but realistically, from a state league team, 1-1 was probably pretty accurate. However, at about the 30mins mark, the game just changed. I don't know about southern teams, but in Darwin, we typically don't have ball-boys to return the ball quickly after every stoppage. That lack of 10-20 seconds of rest every couple of minutes really built up for Olympic, and you could see their movement off the ball pretty died in the ass. They just couldn't get the ball, because there was no outlet pass. It also meant pretty much every 50-50 ball went straight to Adelaide, and if I wouldn't be surprised if Adelaide had 80% possession and territory in the 2nd half. But now, the clubs have a goal, and will fight hard for it.
Timber Tim
Guest
To actually hear the roar of the crowd in Darwin when Darwin Olympic equalised or when Edgeworth took the lead against Melbourne City are just as good moments if the win doesn't come their way. Finally Northern Territoy can lay the building blocks to where they are at and where they can close the gap to their more fancied A-league or other state league opponents. Eventually the gap between NPL conference and A-league will get greater so we will need to look at a NPL national division to be the bridge and that can play in concurrent to the A-League if need be.
j binnie
Guest
Apaway.- In many ways there are lessons to be learned from the cup to date and one of the best features is in the presentation by the TV people who,when picking a game to televise,still keep the watcher fully informed sight wise with what is going on at other grounds.This is a great " leap forward" and I am sure the practice is greatly appreciated by followers of the game. One is left wondering what is going on at three other grounds while watching the game on show. Great entertaiment. For those who are having a quibble about the "fixed" draw,this has always existed in our football. In my time I can remember my team,sitting top of the Brisbane league at the time were drawn to go to Mackay to play in the first "open" round of the Queenland Cup.Rather "oddly" the 2 teams who were beside us in the league were also given "away " ties to Townsville and Mt Isa. The messages to each manager were made quite clear,full teams were to be played and it would be preferred if all 3 won. Such were the financial constraints in running a successful comp. it was almost necessary to make sure the "minnows" didn't progress too far. Will this change in our "new" FFA Cup, who knows? but it is nice to think the "open" draw will eventually come to pass and then the real chance of "giant killers" will emerge. With the semi-pro teams nearly at their best with players and actual game fitness right "on the button" and the HAL teams early in preparation the FFA are doing their best to "level" the playing field but It is doubtful at this time if an "open" draw would be financially viable,but we can but hope, Good discussion point. Cheers jb
SVB
Guest
Australia has the most manufactured sporting environment in the world. It is sort of something that gnaws at me. It show under the surface that there is still a lack of loyalty and support for most teams.
Brendo
Guest
This is a very good point. The manipulated draw at the moment means its only the top 4 A-league teams from last year that face the lower league teams in the round of 32. If all goes as expected we will have 7 A_league teams in the R16. But remember with the manipulated draw to ensure a non-ALeague team gets through to the semis only 3 of them allowed to play non-Aleague opposition (the other 4 have to play each other). So in 24 Matches, the draw ensures only 7 of them can feature ALeague vs Lower League (For R32 & R16) The FFA currently prefer the idea of ensuring a Non-ALeague teams makes the semis to the giant killer game. Personally I would prefer a draw free of any manufactured manipulations (Except maybe that A-league teams have to play away). Let the cards fall where they will. We might not see any of these lower league teams past the quarters but much more chance of upsets in the R32 and R16.
SVB
Guest
At least this guy gets it.
Paul
Guest
Cup upsets are rare even in more established Cup competitions, that is why they are remembered and relished. That's why Barnsley's upset of Liverpool at Anfield is still talked about, perhaps more so than Arsenal winning the last two FA Cups (with all due respect to the Gunners of course). I'm sure Adelaide City won't mind holding onto the bragging rights as the only state league side thus far to knock off a HAL team.
CG2430
Guest
It might be easier if the FFA didn't seed the draw according to finals series results from the preceding A-League season. As a Central Coast supporter, I'd be genuinely nervous if we faced a decent state league side at the moment, and I'm guessing our adversaries up the F3 would feel the same. Instead, I'm resigned to watching us probably fall to Wello in a fixture that will excite no neutrals whatsoever.
Bondy
Guest
I think we're being a little impatient but I do concede there were some hammering's, although the Edgworth Eagles nearly got Mlb Cty . 13 minutes of injury time is extraordinary I recall Eduardo's (Arsenal) multiple leg fracture where 15 minutes of additional time where added (first half) ... I think its good to see there's been now dispute between the use of the word Tigers in relation to the two Balmain firms . What we must also remember if half of the HAL teams got knocked out in the Rd of 32 or 16 we dont have professional football in Australia . I'm still looking forward to the Rd of 16 though a Goliath will fall .
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Have been very impressed by the quality I've seen from some of the teams representing the Member Federations and, in particular, Heidelberg Utd. I'm going to make my bold prediction. If Heidelberg Utd plays any ALeague team, other than MVFC, they will knock them out of the competition. Let's hope Heidelberg get a Melbourne Derby in the Ro16 against MelbCity. Other teams from the Member Federations have also been impressive and capable of pulling off an upset, but the lads from Heidelberg really impressed me last week.