FFA Cup - R1 vs Adelaide | 5 Aug | Marden Sports Complex | 10pm

Woah that is a large trophy.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/ffa-cup-gives-grassroots-the-chance-to-be-giant-killers/86833

Taken from 442

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.

Us playing all of these games in Australia is bizarre. As is the fact we get our very own question in that release as to why we are even included. 

The sh*t we have to put up with....

no home games = no home gate revenue.

Interesting point given the licence stuff.

Draw has been designed to make sure 1 of the semi finalists are a non A-League team.

Not a fan of that. I prefer random draws for knockout competitions, rather than manipulated draws. 

On 2nd thought, think the seeding system is kinda smart. Ensure there is interest outside of HAL for the first few years. Will provide media angle even if it is artificial. As it is blooded into the national football psyche I reckon they will remove it.

this is gonna be rad

yup. New compeition so they need to create buy in. Don't want it to fail at the start if other clubs aren't interested. Will create a good media angle.

The only bad thing I can see about the FFA Cup is that rivalries will get diluted. You could have Western Sydney play Sydney FC three times in the regular season, once in the playoffs and then once more in the FFA Cup. It would get a bit ridiculous. I know it's another issue but I think it would be fantastic if we had 14 teams and could then move to a double round robin. I just can't see 4 more places in Australia sustaining football teams.

As for the manipulated draw, I can see why they have done it. I already thought that the lower teams would have a huge chance of making at least the quarters. I guess the difficulty here is that we don't have promotion/relegation. If the A-league was the Premier League then the National Premier Leagues would probably be League Two or something (I'm only guessing). The other clubs probably do need a foot up but I too hope this is only temporary.

I guess the only other issue is that there will be bitch fights about who should host the semis and the final but one designated finals venue wouldn't work (at least initially). Other than that it should be a great competition.

Just to make it clear how this works … 600 park teams to play off in a knock off competition to make up one of the 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

Then the 10 A-League clubs will join… making a 32 team final competition.

At least 10 weeks plus finals broadcast ..

A knockout competition decided by penalty shout out if needed.

Played from July to 16 December

FFA to cover travel costs for all teams [I think in the final 32]

Mandating the number of lower league teams that are in each round seems pretty lame but I guess the nix should just be thankful to be there.

They'll be happy enough to win it.

Pretty sure I heard that in the first year we need to play all our games over there, then that will change the following season and we can host as many as anyone else. Just glad we've moved on from Ricki - could so see him fielding a B side against a third tier side and losing...  and then making up for it by signing a couple of them.

so we just end up playing another A league team in round of 32?

Congrats to Wellington for inclusion to FFA cup. Glad to see you involved.

@RR is it semi finals or top 4 in the league?

Here is a great site for ffa cup info.

http://www.pursuitofthecupau.com/#

Oh cool, my son's team (Waverly Old Boys) has made it thru the first round in Sydney, hopefully they get to play the Nix. How awesome.

Now that's a great name for a footie club; heavy with continental tradition. Should we toy with the idea of what the YF own team should be called?

In keeping with the average age and the distinguished clubs' names "Fever Old Boys" would be my choice.

Some great lols in those match videos and some surprisingly decent football too.

Check out the goal 2 seconds after kickoff in the Playford Patriots v Adelaide Blue Eagles.

Oakleigh Cannons crashes out of the Victoria FFA Cup qualifying tournament (Dockerty Cup). Bleiberg fielded the kids because he didn't realise this was the pathway to the FFA Cup.

MIRON IS GOOD COACH

Melbourne Knights beat South Melbourne to claim the final spot in the FFA Cup. Draw to be made on the 27th June.

Clubs in the draw:

I still call bs that all our games have to be away. 

I don't see myself getting excited about this at all without any home games. 

The draw process makes no mention of any procedures put in place to make sure Nix have to play away:

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.

As a club licensed...blah blah blah... The Phoenix should be the same opportunity as other A league clubs...blah blah blah...Wellington Phoenix will play all games away. 

How is that same opportunity? 

They should make it that we can play A-League clubs at home (so could play our first game at home if we are drawn at home), but any games against NPL teams must be played away (since the only reason that we play away is so that NPL teams dont go broke getting here). 

And to be honest, I wouldn't have a whole lot of interest in seeing us play Far North Queensland Heat at Westpac, and neither would the Wellington public.

that would make sense.

I assume perth have the same restriction then if that's the rationale behind it?