The 2014 FFA Cup was the inaugural season of the FFA Cup, the main national soccer knockout cup competition in Australia. 631 teams in total from around Australia entered the competition. Only 32 teams competed in the competition proper (round of 32), including the 10 A-League teams and 22 Football Federation Australia (FFA) member federation teams determined through individual state preliminary rounds held in early 2014 (and 2013 in the case of the ACT). The FFA Cup competition proper commenced on 29 July 2014 and concluded with the FFA Cup Final on 16 December 2014.[1] which was brought forward from Australia Day in order to avoid a clash with the 2015 Asian Cup, which was hosted by Australia.[2]
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Australia New Zealand |
| Teams | 631 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Adelaide United (1st title) |
| Runner-up | Perth Glory |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 31 |
| Goals scored | 94 (3.03 per match) |
| Attendance | 93,820 (3,026 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Sergio Cirio (6 goals) |
The winner of the FFA Cup received $50,000 as part of a total prize money pool of $131,450.[3]
Round and dates edit
| Round | Draw date | Match dates | Number of fixtures | Teams | New entries this round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary rounds | Various | 6 April 2013 – 25 June 2014 | 616 + 34 byes | 631 → 32 | 621 |
| Round of 32 | 27 June 2014 | 29 July–20 August 2014 | 16 | 32 → 16 | 10 |
| Round of 16 | 22 August 2014 | 16–23 September 2014 | 8 | 16 → 8 | none |
| Quarter-finals | 23 September 2014 | 14–29 October 2014 | 4 | 8 → 4 | none |
| Semi-finals | 31 October 2014 | 11–12 November 2014 | 2 | 4 → 2 | none |
| Final | 12 November 2014 | 16 December 2014 | 1 | 2 → 1 | none |
Prize fund edit
| Round | No. of Clubs receive fund | Prize fund[3] |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | 8 | $1,800 |
| Quarter-finalists | 4 | $4,800 |
| Semi-finalists | 2 | $10,950 |
| Final runners-up | 1 | $25,950 |
| Final winner | 1 | $50,000 |
| Total | $131,450 |
Preliminary rounds edit
621 FFA member federations teams competed in various state-based preliminary rounds to win one of 22 places in the competition proper (round of 32). Eight of the nine FFA member federations took part in the tournament, the exception being Northern Territory, which is expected to start participating from the 2015 season. Player registration numbers in each jurisdiction was used to determine the number of qualifying teams for each member federation:[4]
- NSW have seven teams qualify.
- Queensland have four teams qualify.
- Victoria have four teams qualify.
- Northern NSW have two teams qualify.
- Western Australia have two teams qualify.
- ACT have one team qualify.
- South Australia have one team qualify.
- Tasmania have one team qualify.
The first of the preliminary rounds began on 6 April 2013 and the final of the preliminary rounds took place on 25 June 2014. Seven of the eight member federation preliminary rounds took place in 2014 (16 February–25 June). The exception was the ACT, whose competition took place during 2013 (6 April–28 August).[5]
Teams edit
A total of 32 teams participated in the 2014 FFA Cup competition proper, ten of which came from the A-League, the remaining 22 teams from FFA member federations, as determined by the preliminary rounds.[2] A-League clubs represent the highest level in the Australian league system, where as member federation clubs come from Level 2 and below. The current season tier of member federation clubs is shown in parentheses.[6]
Draw edit
After the completion of the 2013–14 A-League season and the preliminary rounds by the respective member federations, the 32 teams were organised for the FFA Cup Round of 32 draw, the first of four draws in the competition proper. The draw for the round of 32 used three pots to arrange the teams: Pot A included the four A-League teams to reach the semi-finals in the 2013–14 A-League Finals series (Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers), Pot B included the remaining six A-League teams and Pot C contained the 22 member federation teams. Teams were drawn randomly into pre-determined positions. From the round of 16, Quarter-finals and Semi-finals, teams will be allocated in one of two pots. The remaining A-League teams were allocated to Pot A and the remaining member federation teams into Pot B. In each draw, teams were again drawn randomly into pre-determined positions.[1]
The positions which teams are drawn into are structured to ensure that member federation teams have the best chance of advancing in the competition. The draw ensures a minimum of one non-A-League team reaches the Semi-finals stage, a minimum of three in the Quarter-finals and a minimum of nine in the round of 16.[7] This structure is achieved by allocating teams (which are randomly drawn) into pre-determined positions, with some A-League teams guaranteed to be drawn against one another to ensure that a certain number of A-League teams are eliminated and that a certain number of member federation teams may progress in the tournament.[8]
The draw for each round did not take place until after the scheduled completion of the previous round. The draws also determined which teams will play at home; that is, if a member federation team draws an A-League team, the member federation team will host the fixture. However, if two A-League teams or two member federation teams are drawn together, the first team drawn will host, with the exception that Wellington Phoenix must play all of their matches in Australia, away from home.[2]
Bracket edit
Round of 32 edit
The Round of 32 draw took place on Friday 27 June 2014.[9] The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were Hakoah Sydney City East and South Springvale. They were the only level 4 teams left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
| 29 July 2014 | Broadmeadow Magic (2) | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | Brisbane Strikers (2) | Wanderers Oval, Newcastle |
| 19:30 |
| Report | Attendance: 1,523 Referee: Tim McGilchrist |
| 29 July 2014 | Manly United (2) | 1–3 | Sydney Olympic (2) | Cromer Park, Sydney |
| 19:30 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 1,800 Referee: Stephen Lucas |
| 29 July 2014 | Olympic FC (2) | 3–1 | Melbourne Knights (2) | Goodwin Park, Brisbane |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 2,195 Referee: Alex King |
| 29 July 2014 | South Springvale (4) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | South Cardiff (2) | Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
| Report | Attendance: 1,420 Referee: Alex Azcurra | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 5 August 2014 | Newcastle Jets (1) | 0–2 | Perth Glory (1) | Wanderers Oval, Newcastle |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 2,877 Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones |
| 5 August 2014 | Parramatta FC (3) | 0–1 | St Albans Saints (3) | Melita Stadium, Sydney |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 780 Referee: Chris Young |
| 5 August 2014 | South Hobart (2) | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–5 p) | Tuggeranong United (2) | KGV Park, Hobart |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 1,472 Referee: Patrick Chaplin | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 5 August 2014 | Adelaide United (1) | 1–0 | Wellington Phoenix (1) | Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide |
| 20:00 |
| Report | Attendance: 2,804 Referee: Shaun Evans |
| 12 August 2014 | Blacktown City (2) | 0–1 | Bentleigh Greens (2) | Lily Homes Stadium, Sydney |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 624 Referee: Stephen Lucas |
| 12 August 2014 | Melbourne City (1) | 1–3 (a.e.t.) | Sydney FC (1) | Morshead Park Stadium, Ballarat |
| 19:30 |
| Report | Attendance: 2,801 Referee: Shaun Evans |
| 12 August 2014 | Sydney United 58 (2) | 4–1 | Far North Queensland (2) | Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 750 Referee: Jonathan Barreiro |
| 12 August 2014 | Adelaide City (2) | 1–0 | Western Sydney Wanderers (1) | Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide |
| 20:00 |
| Report | Attendance: 2,701 Referee: Alan Milliner |
| 19 August 2014 | Hakoah Sydney City East (4) | 1–2 | Palm Beach (2) | Hensley Athletic Field, Sydney |
| 19:30 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 1,158 Referee: Matthew Cropper |
| 19 August 2014 | Stirling Lions (2) | 0–4 | Brisbane Roar (1) | Western Australian Athletics Stadium, Perth |
| 21:30 | Report | Attendance: 1,152 Referee: Lucien Laverdure |
| 20 August 2014 | South Coast Wolves (2) | 0–1 | Central Coast Mariners (1) | WIN Stadium, Wollongong |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 5,238 Referee: Ben Williams |
| 20 August 2014 | Bayswater City (2) | 0–2 | Melbourne Victory (1) | Western Australian Athletics Stadium, Perth |
| 21:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 1,650 Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones |
Round of 16 edit
The Round of 16 draw took place on Friday 22 August 2014.[10] The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was South Springvale. They were the only level 4 team left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
| 16 September 2014 | Adelaide City (2) | 1–0 | Brisbane Strikers (2) | Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide |
| 19:30 |
| Report | Attendance: 2,024 Referee: Rick Schneider |
| 16 September 2014 | Olympic FC (2) | 1–3 | Central Coast Mariners (1) | QSAC, Brisbane |
| 19:30 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 1,374 Referee: Chris Beath |
| 16 September 2014 | Sydney Olympic (2) | 1–2 | Bentleigh Greens (2) | Lambert Park, Sydney |
| 19:30 |
| Report | Attendance: 827 Referee: Strebre Delovski |
| 16 September 2014 | Tuggeranong United (2) | 0–6 | Melbourne Victory (1) | Viking Park, Canberra |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 5,150 Referee: Ben Williams |
| 23 September 2014 | Adelaide United (1) | 2–0 | Brisbane Roar (1) | Coopers Stadium, Adelaide |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 4,053 Referee: Shaun Evans |
| 23 September 2014 | Palm Beach (2) | 1–0 | South Springvale (4) | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
| 19:30 |
| Report | Attendance: 2,370 Referee: Alan Milliner |
| 23 September 2014 | St Albans Saints (3) | 1–4 | Perth Glory (1) | Knights Stadium, Melbourne |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Lucien Laverdure |
| 23 September 2014 | Sydney United 58 (2) | 1–3 | Sydney FC (1) | Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney |
| 19:30 |
| Report | Attendance: 8,125 Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones |
Quarter-finals edit
The Quarter-final draw took place on 23 September, with all timing and venue details confirmed on 29 September.[11] The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were Adelaide City, Bentleigh Greens and Palm Beach. They were the only level 2 teams left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEDT
| 14 October 2014 | Palm Beach (2) | 0–5 | Central Coast Mariners (1) | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 2,035 Referee: Jarred Gillett |
| 21 October 2014 | Sydney FC (1) | 1–3 (a.e.t.) | Adelaide United (1) | Allianz Stadium, Sydney |
| 19:30 |
| Report | Attendance: 3,536 Referee: Ben Williams |
| 29 October 2014 | Bentleigh Greens (2) | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Adelaide City (2) | Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Melbourne |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 1,992 Referee: Lucien Laverdure |
| 29 October 2014 | Perth Glory (1) | 4–2 (a.e.t.) | Melbourne Victory (1) | nib Stadium, Perth |
| 22:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 3,899 Referee: Alan Milliner |
Semi-finals edit
The Semi-final draw took place on 31 October, with all timing and venue details confirmed on 5 November.[12] The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was Bentleigh Greens. They were the only level 2 team left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEDT
| 11 November 2014 | Bentleigh Greens (2) | 0–3 | Perth Glory (1) | Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Melbourne |
| 19:30 | Report |
| Attendance: 3,300 Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones |
| 12 November 2014 | Adelaide United (1) | 3–2 | Central Coast Mariners (1) | Coopers Stadium, Adelaide |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 4,548 Referee: Chris Beath |
Final edit
All times listed below are at AEDT
| Adelaide United (1) | 1–0 | Perth Glory (1) |
|---|---|---|
Cirio  67' | Report |
Top goalscorers edit
Note: Goals scored in preliminary rounds not included.
Broadcasting rights edit
The live television rights for the competition were held by the subscription channel Fox Sports, who broadcast the following 10 games live:[13]
| Round | Live broadcast matches |
|---|---|
| Round of 32 | Broadmeadow Magic vs Brisbane Strikers[14] |
| Round of 16 | Tuggeranong United vs Melbourne Victory[15] Sydney United 58 vs Sydney FC[15] |
| Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Final | All matches |
Match ball edit
The official match ball for the 2014 competition was the Umbro Neo 150 Elite.[16]
References edit
- ^ a b "FFA Cup How Draw Works". Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ a b c "2014 FFA Cup FAQs". Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ a b "FFA Cup 2014 Competition Regulations" (PDF). Football Federation Australia. p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ "Football Federation Australia reveals new FFA Cup competition and trophy". foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
- ^ "Tuggeranong United gets nod for FFA Cup". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "Round of 32 puzzle almost complete". footballaustralia.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
- ^ "Cup gives grassroots chance to be giant-killers". footballaustralia.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ "Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe says the club doesn't fear a tough FFA Cup route". perthnow.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ "All set for Round of 32 Draw". Football Federation Australia.
- ^ "Cup fever ramps up with Friday's draw". Football Federation Australia.
- ^ "Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Final Details". Football Federation Australia.
- ^ "Tuesday, Wednesday Cup Semis confirmed". Football Federation Australia.
- ^ "FAQS". FFA Cup. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ "Schedule confirmed for Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 fixtures". footballaustralia.com.au. 30 June 2014.
- ^ a b "Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16 details". footballaustralia.com.au. 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Umbro launch official Westfield FFA Cup ball". Football Federation Australia. 4 June 2014.