- FFA Cup -
Where does it sit?
Monday February 24 saw Football Federation Australia (FFA) giving their fans something that they have been dreaming of for nearly a decade, a proper cup competition. The 10 A-League sides and 22 state league clubs will square off in a single elimination tournament over the span of four and a half months. It is attempting to capture the magic of the FA Cup in England where local clubs can find themselves pitted against a giants of European football. They will give themselves a chance to cause a boil over that will be a highlight for those player’s careers.
It is clear what value the state league clubs will place on the competition, but the question that lingers is where the FFA Cup will rank in terms of priorities for the A-League clubs. With the first two rounds taking place while those clubs are in preseason mode, there is every chance that the teams will not be fielding a top quality line up as their players work their way back into in-season shape. Perhaps the best way to encourage these teams to try their hardest is to put the carrot of continental football in front of them. While no confirmation has been offered from the Asian Confederation, a place for the Cup winner in the Champions League will likely prove to be too tempting for A-League teams to pass up. Even if the winner only earns a place in the qualifying round in place of the league’s third placed team, it will encourage teams to do give their all. Sure some teams will still treat the early rounds as a chance for squad rotation but as long as the games are entertaining, then the fans will embrace the competition.
By James Caughlin