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2014 FFA Cup Thread

Misanthrope

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This is looking closer and closer to becoming a reality now, with the Round of 32 tentatively scheduled to begin in July with the nine Australian A-League teams as well as 23 teams from various state federations across Australia.


  • 9 A-League sides (Wellington ineligible)
  • 8 NSW teams
  • 4 Victorian teams
  • 4 Queensland teams
  • 2 WA teams
  • 2 Northern NSW teams
  • 1 South Australian team
  • 1 ACT team
  • 1 Tasmanian team
The only hold up at this point seems to be the ACT, where last year's Federation Cup winner are claiming they're the qualifier while the ACT has since announced another qualifying tournament. Every state bar QLD had an existing tournament that has become a qualifier, with QLD inventing a competition to act as a qualifier.


(SOURCE: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/...ing-the-launch-of-ffa-cup-20140114-30sg7.html)



I know that my brothers' team (Inverell Joeys) will be playing Ballina FC in the first round of the Northern NSW tournament.


Who else is pretty bloody excited about this tournament's first edition?
 

Misanthrope

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Just because it's my 'local', here's the first round of qualifying draw for Northern NSW.

Divided into three sections at this stage, to come together later.

Southern

Mayfield United v Westlakes Wildcats
Belmont Tingira v University Mens FC
Morisset Utd v Nelson Bay FC
Kotara South v Beresfield FC
New Lambton Eagles v Hunter Simba
Cooks Hill Utd 1 v Barnsley Utd
Cooks Hill Utd 2 v Charlestown City Blues
Dudley Redhead Utd 1 v Medowie FC
Merewether Advance v Muswellbrook FC
Garden Suburb FC v Dudley Redhead Utd 2
Plattsburg Maryland FC v Swansea FC
University Mens FC 2 v RAAF Williamstown
Wallsend FC v Cardiff City FC
Dungog SC v Mayfield United 2
Jesmond FC v Hamilton Olympic
Tenambit Sharks v Stockton Sharks
Kurri Kurri SC v Raymond Terrace SC
Toronto Awaba SC v Newcastle Suns FC
Beresfield United 2 v Warners Bay FC

NPL/New FM

Broadmeadow Magic v Thornton Redbacks
Lambton Jaffas v Belmont Swansea Utd
Hamilton Olympic v Singleton SC
Weston Workers v Adamstown Rosebud
South Cardiff FC v Maitland FC
Cessnock City FC v Toronto Awaba FC
Edgeworth FC v West Wallsend FC
Charlestown City Blues v Lake Macquarie City FC

Northern

Orara Valley FC v Sawtell Scorpions
Norths Utd v Northern Storm Thunder
Coffs City Tigers v Coffs City Utd
Tuncurry Forster FC v Urunga FC
Nambucca Strikers v Casino Cobras
Port Saints v Tamworth FC
Macleay Valley Rangers v Wingham Warriors
Boambee Bombers v Maclean FC
Inverell Joeys v Ballina SC
Westlawn Tigers v East Armidale FC
Lennox Head v Lismore Workers
 

Big Sam

First Grade
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8,976
Who else is pretty bloody excited about this tournament's first edition?

Should be amazing. Football's the only sport in this country that could offer such a competition.

I'm glad the FFA has decided to use the State Cups and not the Leagues for qualification as it means the tournament is truly open to any team in the country (except NT).

As for the format, for me it must be single-legged with ET and PS in the event of a draw after 90 mins. No two-legged or replay rubbish.

I'd also like to see lower league clubs automatically get home ground advantage regardless of whether they're drawn first or second against an A-League club.
 

Misanthrope

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From looking at the Northern NSW side of things, it's definitely two legged. One of my brothers is gutted as he'll be out of the country for both legs of the Joeys game. The other should get the chance to play though, which is a pretty cool piece of history to take a slice of.
 

Band On The Run

Juniors
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441
I'd like to see replays if there's a draw (but only one like the FA cup) but I know it's not feasible in such a big country.

Will be interesting to see how semis and final will work/be.
 

BunniesMan

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This is an important part of the journey the game needs to take.

1.A proper cup that involves every level of Football in the country.

2.Relegation.

3.Financial freedom aka no cap.

With that I think Football can be an equal to NRL and AFL within 20 years.
 

Big Sam

First Grade
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8,976
This is an important part of the journey the game needs to take.

1.A proper cup that involves every level of Football in the country.

2.Relegation.

3.Financial freedom aka no cap.

With that I think Football can be an equal to NRL and AFL within 20 years.

1. Tick
2. Not for 20 years
3. No. And you still haven't given justification for how that would be of any benefit given as of next year 19/23 squad members have to be Aussie.
 

Jason Maher

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Why would Wellington be inelligible? Welsh teams compete in the FA Cup. Yes, I know technically England and Wales are not separate nations, but they compete against each other at international level, so in soccer terms, Cardiff and Swansea playing in the FA Cup would be no different to Wellington playing in the FFA Cup.
 

Jason Maher

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35,977
Looking at that list of teams for northern NSW, are there no senior teams based in the Tweed Valley, or are they part of the Gold Coast league?
 

thorson1987

Coach
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16,907
Why would Wellington be inelligible? Welsh teams compete in the FA Cup. Yes, I know technically England and Wales are not separate nations, but they compete against each other at international level, so in soccer terms, Cardiff and Swansea playing in the FA Cup would be no different to Wellington playing in the FFA Cup.

Iirc it is down to Wellington being part of Oceania.

Pretty sure I read somewhere that the AFC didn't really want them playing in the A League either
 

BunniesMan

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1. Tick
2. Not for 20 years
3. No. And you still haven't given justification for how that would be of any benefit given as of next year 19/23 squad members have to be Aussie.

20 years? Maybe. But I think it can be doable in 10 years if everything goes well. As soon as we get tv revenue to a level where a newly promoted team would be given enough to have a realistic chance of staying up. Hopefully we're in that kind of position 10 years from now.

I think that quota is stupid. I don't think that's the best way to develop great Australian players.

I'd put the quota at around 11 Aussie players minimum. Playing with better players would make our up and comers better.
 

Big Sam

First Grade
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8,976
BhMtIk1CUAEYhb-.png
 

Big Sam

First Grade
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8,976
Find out everything you need to know about the FFA Cup following the launch of the inaugural national competition this morning.

1. What is the FFA Cup?

The FFA Cup is a national knockout tournament run by FFA in conjunction with the State and Territory Member Federations in Queensland, NSW, Northern NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

Each and every cup tie must be decided on the day, with extra time and penalties to decide results of matches drawn after 90 minutes.

Over 600 clubs will play in the feeder competitions run by the states and territories. The Hyundai A-League clubs join the competition in the Round of 32, alongside 22 clubs who have progressed from the ranks of the semi-professional and amateur tiers.

The 2014 FFA Cup final will be played on Tuesday 16 December.


2. How are the slots for the Round of 32 decided?

Each state and territory is allocated a number of places in the Round of 32, based on the number of registered players in each jurisdiction. Each state and territory decides the qualification route. For example, in some states, this will be the winner of the state-based knock out cup. In other states, all semi-finallists will qualify.

The final allocation for the Round of 32 comprises:

a) Twenty-two (22) Member Federation Clubs comprising:

Football NSW – 7 Clubs
Football Federation Victoria – 4 Clubs
Football Queensland – 4 Clubs
Football West – 2 Clubs
NNSW Football – 2 Clubs
Capital Football – 1 Club
Football Federation SA – 1 Club
Football Federation Tasmania – 1 Club

• Northern Territory will participate in 2015 FFA Cup

b) All ten (10) Hyundai A-League Clubs.


3. How many FFA Cup matches will be broadcast live on Fox Sports?

There will be a minimum of 10 matches broadcast on Fox Sports. One (1) Round of 32 Match, two (2) Round of 16 Match, and all Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and the FFA Cup Final.

Fox Sports may elect to broadcast additional FFA Cup matches from the Round of 32.

The first FFA Cup match broadcast live on Fox Sports will be on the opening night on Tuesday 29 July 2014.

All broadcast matches will kick off at 7.30pm.


4. What are the Qualifying Tournament dates and formats for each State and Territory?

Member Federation - Qualifying Tournament Dates - Notes
Capital Football 15 March 2014 – 2 April 2014 Single FFA Cup entrant known on 2 April 2014
Football Federation South Australia 15 February 2014 – 31 May 2014 Single FFA Cup entrant known on 31 May 2014
Football West 5 April 2014 – 19 July 2014 Two FFA Cup entrants known on 2 June 2014
Football New South Wales 15 March 2014 – 6 July 2014 Seven FFA Cup entrants known on 5 June 2014
Football Queensland 11 February 2014 – late July 2014 Four FFA Cup entrants known on 7 June 2014
Football Federation Victoria 1 March 2014 – 7 September 2014 Four FFA Cup entrants known on 9 June 2014
Football Federation Tasmania 9 March 2014 – 10 June 2014 Single FFA Cup entrant known on 10 June 2014
Northern New South Wales Football 15 February 2014 – 22 June 2014 Two FFA Cup entrants known on 22 June 2014


5. What are the dates of the 2014 FFA Cup matches?

2014 FFA Cup Match Dates Round - Dates
Round of 32 Tuesday 29 July 2014 (4 Matches)
Tuesday 5 August 2014 (4 Matches)
Tuesday 12 August 2014 (4 Matches)
Tuesday 19 August 2014 (4 Matches)
Round of 16 Tuesday 16 September 2014 (4 Matches)
Tuesday, 23 September 2014 (4 Matches)
Quarter Finals Tuesday 14 October 2014 (2 Matches)
Tuesday 28 October 2014 (2 Matches)
Semi Finals Tuesday 11 November 2014 (1 Match)
Tuesday 25 November 2014 (1 Match)
Cup Final Tuesday 16 December 2014


6. What are the Draw Principles for the FFA Cup Draw?

The Draw Principles aim to give grassroots clubs an even chance to be giant-killers against the elite of the Hyundai A-League. This is the essence of the FFA Cup.

Therefore, the Draw Principles seek to enable fixtures between A-League and semi-pro and amateur clubs throughout the draw.

In addition, the Draw Principles balance the vagaries of different season schedules between the professional tier (predominantly summer) and the non-professional tiers (predominantly winter).

Further, the Draw Principles take into account the impact of Hyundai A-League finals and Asian Champions League commitments.

For the live Round of 32 draw, there will be three (3) Pots from which the participating Clubs will be drawn as follows:

• Pot A – the Hyundai A-League Clubs who finish in the Top 4 of the 2013/14 Season after the Final Series (i.e. make the Hyundai Semi-Finals).
• Pot B – the Hyundai A-League Clubs who finish in the Bottom 6 of the 2013/14 Season after the Finals Series.
• Pot C – the 22 qualified Member Federation Clubs.

Pot A will be drawn first until empty, the draw will then continue with Pot B drawn until empty and then Pot C drawn until all Clubs have been allocated a fixture.

From the Round of 16, Quarter Finals and Semi Finals, Clubs will be allocated into one of two (2) pots for the Live Draws:

a) Pot A – Hyundai A-League Clubs
b) Pot B – Member Federation Clubs

Positions in the draw will be numbered. Clubs will then be allocated positions in number order as drawn (i.e. first Hyundai A-League Club will be in position 1). Clubs will be drawn from Pot A until empty, and then Pot B until all Clubs have been allocated a fixture.


7. Why are Hyundai A-League Clubs seeded into the Round of 32?

Consideration has been given to season phasing and providing each Club with the best opportunity to compete at full strength.

This seeding for the Round of 32 provides Hyundai A-League Clubs with some certainty in order to plan pre-season schedules around FFA Cup matches. Appreciating this is a period when Hyundai A-League Clubs generally do not play competitive matches, it also ensures there is an equality of off-season across all 10 Hyundai A-League Clubs, as those Clubs who play later in the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League Finals Series are seeded into the later Round of 32 matches in order to maximise player availability during the traditional off-season.

The match schedule also avoids a Round 16 fixture clash for Hyundai A-League Clubs who may be participating in a AFC Asian Champions League Quarter Final on 17 September 2014, and provides a 3 week break and clear air in the lead up to the start of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League Season (on 10 October 2014).


8. Why does the FFA Cup draw produce a Semi-Final with at least one Member Federation Club?

The Draw Principles provide for at least one Member Federation Club to qualify for the 2014 FFA Cup Semi Finals. It is important that the FFA Cup is differentiated from existing competitions and provides a genuine opportunity for grassroots and NPL clubs to compete on the national stage.

Member Federation Club(s) that progress to the FFA Cup Semi-Finals will have earned their birth. In order for a Member Federation Club to qualify for the Semi Final of the FFA Cup, the Club would have already had to, firstly, qualify via their relevant State Cup and, secondly, win three FFA Cup Final Round Matches.


9. Why is Wellington Phoenix participating in the FFA Cup?

As a Club licensed by FFA to participate in the Hyundai A-League Club, Wellington Phoenix should be afforded the same opportunity as other Hyundai A-League Clubs to play in the FFA Cup. As a professional club, Wellington Phoenix is not able to play in New Zealand Football’s Chatham Cup.

In accordance with FIFA Regulations, Wellington Phoenix’s participation in the FFA Cup has been approved by FIFA, the AFC, the OFC and New Zealand Football.

Wellington Phoenix will play all FFA Cup matches in Australia.


10. Will FFA cover the costs of travel for competing Clubs?

FFA will cover reasonable flights, ground transport and accommodation for a travelling party of 21 for each travelling Away Club.


11. Who retains the rights to ticket revenue?

The home Club will incur applicable venue hosting costs and receive all associated ticket revenue, excluding the FFA Cup Final which will be run by FFA.


12. How will the home Clubs be determined?

Where matches involve Member Federation Clubs only, the first drawn Club will be given hosting rights. Where matches involve a Member Federation Club and a Hyundai A-League Club, the Member Federation Club will be given the right to host. Where both Clubs involved are Hyundai A-League Clubs, the first drawn Club will have hosting rights.


13. Will suburban grounds be able to meet the FFA Cup Venue and Security Standards for broadcast matches?

FFA wants to embrace the unique atmosphere of cup competitions and play as many FFA Cup matches at suburban grounds as possible. However, each venue will need to meet appropriate Minimum Venue and Security Standards that will be in place for the FFA Cup.


14. Why are all matches scheduled to be played on a Tuesday night?

This creates a consistency for the viewer and fan to identify with Tuesday night as the night to watch the FFA Cup.

Not all FFA Cup matches will necessarily be played on a Tuesday night. For player welfare reasons, matches may be rescheduled to Wednesday depending on the league fixtures of the participating Clubs.


15. Why is the 2014 FFA Cup Final not on a weekend?

This was not possible for 2014 given the busy 2014/15 Season Fixture due to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. It is the intention for the FFA Cup Final for 2015 onwards to be on a weekend, to emphasise the importance of the FFA Cup Final within Australia’s football calendar and consistent with national knockout competitions in other countries.


16. Where will the FFA Cup Final be played?

Similar to the Hyundai A-League Grand Final, the venue for the Cup Final will be determined in the interest of FFA, competing Clubs, their members and supporters.


17. Will the respective state Cups continue in 2015 onwards?

This is still to be determined and is a decision for each Member Federation.

As each Member Federation will operate the FFA Cup Preliminary Rounds for 2015 onwards, the Preliminary Rounds may replace some existing State Cups or the State Cups may vary in format.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/2014-FFA-Cup-FAQs/86835

A lotta info to take in. Some comments:

- Nice to see the draw accommodates one non-HAL club minimum in the semis.
- Disappointed it's all on Fox. Cups should really be on FTA and thus accessible to all since the cup is accessible to all (clubs in the country).
- Love the single-match knockout with ET and pens. Will cause plenty of upsets.
- Still unsure about Wellington's participation but it appears they will always be drawn away (i.e. in Australia).
 

BunniesMan

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33,687
Genuinely excited about this.

This is something that the NRL and AFL cannot replicate. Imagine the headlines if a giant killing minnow went deep.

This cup can only do good things for the game.
 

Big Sam

First Grade
Messages
8,976
Genuinely excited about this.

Yep, me too.

There is no other competition in the country that can bring together clubs from places as diverse as for example Ballina, Innisfail, Sturt, Launceston, and Wangaratta.

And how's this for a decent mid-year schedule:
4 May - HAL GF
12 June - WC Starts
13 July - WC Ends
29 July - FFA Cup Starts

Not an off-season in sight :)
 

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